Construction employers added 12,000 jobs in October and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent, the lowest rate for October since 2006, according to an analysis released today by AGC of America. Association officials said the construction employment gains, along with rising wages and weekly hours, are consistent with survey results showing more firms having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions.

Construction spending decreased for the second consecutive month in September as declines in public and private nonresidential construction, as well as multifamily projects, offset growth in single-family home building, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials said the new spending figures underscore how challenges current market conditions are for many firms.

Construction employment expanded in 236 metro areas, declined in 53 and was stagnant in 50 between September 2013 and September 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials said that as firms expand their payrolls, many are finding a limited supply of available qualified workers.

Most construction firms report they are having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as the industry recovers from its years-long downturn, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today by AGC of America. Association officials called for new career and technical school programs, as well as other workforce measures to offset the labor shortages.

Construction firms added jobs in 39 states between September 2013 and September 2014 while construction employment increased in 34 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC of America. 

Construction employers added 16,000 jobs and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 7 percent, the lowest rate for September in years, according to an analysis released today by AGC.

Construction employment expanded in 220 metro areas, declined in 73 and was stagnant in 46 between August 2013 and August 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America.  Association officials added that construction spending climbed to $961 billion from $915.3 billion between August 2013 and August 2014, a 5 percent increase, according to federal data also released today.

With Oct. 1 marking the beginning of fiscal year 2015, the 31-member organization Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) urged Congress to find a way to pay for, and pass, a new long-term surface transportation measure as soon as possible.  They cautioned that failure to act would lead to another self-imposed funding crisis that would undermine vital road, highway and transit repairs.

AGC of America will provide highway work zone safety training classes next year thanks to a federal safety grant the association earned. The association will use the $135,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the safety training classes designed to prevent injuries among highway, street and bridge construction workers, officials said.

Construction firms added jobs in 36 states between August 2013 and August 2014 while construction employment increased in 28 states between July and August, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation even as employment gains remain uneven by month and state.