Construction professionals will be able to take a wide range of mandatory and optional safety training programs online thanks to a new collaboration between the Associated General Contractors of America and ClickSafety, which is authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide its online Outreach Training Program. Association officials added that the collaboration will provide a range of online construction-related safety courses, including the mandatory OSHA 10- and 30-hour safety training programs for employees of its member firms.

Construction employment declined by 1,000 in July even though the industry’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest level since 2008, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The sector’s unemployment rate has steadily declined since 2009 as hundreds of thousands of out-of-work construction workers have left the industry seeking other opportunities, the association’s economist cautioned.

Construction spending in June rose to a 2-1/2 year high as double-digit percentage increases in private residential and nonresidential construction more than offset an ongoing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect the disparity between private and public construction is likely to persist and urged policy makers to put more funding into infrastructure projects.

A review of government enforcement data finds no justification for costly and complex new rules governing the hiring of veterans and people with disabilities being proposed by the Office of Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The analysis found that significantly less than one percent of federal contractors covered by the rule may have discriminated against a veteran or person with a disability at any point in the past eight years.

Construction employment declined in 162 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2011 and June 2012, increased in 127 and stayed stagnant in 48, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that construction employment declined or remained unchanged in most metro areas as the public sector continued to cut back on investments in new construction and infrastructure and economic growth slowed.

Construction employment increased in just half the states plus the District of Columbia from June 2011 to June 2012, but declined in a slim majority of states in the past month, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. 

AGC of America is proud to announce the recent launch of the 2013 AGC/Alliant Build America competition. All member companies in good standing who meet the competition requirements are encouraged to apply. A new, more user-friendly awards submission site has been developed for the 2013 awards season. Similar to previous years, member companies can submit their entry and upload supplemental materials simultaneously. Click here to begin your entry today.

The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials decreased for the second consecutive month in June and inched up by just 0.5 percent from a year earlier, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge to construct projects was virtually unchanged for the month and rose only between 3.2 and 4.4 percent from a year ago.

The national construction charity organization, AGC Charities Inc, announced today that it will provide financial support for a Chicago-area effort designed to provide safe housing for troubled veterans.  The group will provide $5,000 to support Hope for Tomorrow’s renovation of a home designed to house veterans in need of substance abuse treatment.

In the fall, AGC Charities will be in Washington, D.C., to help renovate the American Legion Post 8.  We will be joined by a team of volunteers led by Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group.   We are hoping to make the lives of the increasing number of wounded veterans that the Legion supports, a little bit easier and more comfortable.  During the renovation, we hope to get the bathrooms ADA compliant, add new handicap accessible entrance to the facility, add new chair ramp, and more.