Construction firms added jobs in 39 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months and in 29 states and D.C. between March and April according to an analysis today by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials welcomed the mostly positive figures but cautioned that the industry’s recovery remained fragile, with construction employment levels below prior peaks in every state except North Dakota.

There was more good news than bad in the employment report that the Labor Department issued on May 2. The construction industry added 32,000 workers in April, bringing seasonally adjusted employment to an even 6.0 million—the highest total since June 2009.

The unemployment rate in construction dropped to the lowest April level in seven years as contractors added 32,000 workers to payrolls in April, bringing industry employment to 6.0 million, the highest level since June 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials warned that it is essential to revive and expand training opportunities before the industry runs short of workers.

Total construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment construction and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that the construction spending figures may get dramatically worse unless public officials act urgently to maintain federal highway funding.

Construction employment expanded in 197 metro areas, declined in 87 and was stagnant in 55 between March 2013 and March 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials noted, however, that construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal highway funding to stop this summer.

The construction industry now has an additional way of bringing government data issues to the attention of top officials. The director of the U.S. Census Bureau recently appointed me to a three-year term on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee. This 18-member panel twice a year meets for a day and a half with the director and the full leadership team of the agency, and also engages in vigorous online discussions with relevant officials.

Construction firms added jobs in 38 states over the past 12 months, although job gains leveled off between February and March, according to an analysis today by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the ongoing year-over-year pickup points to the urgency of revitalizing and initiating programs to encourage workers and graduating students to get construction careers.

Construction employment expanded in 175 metro areas, declined in 106 and was stagnant in 58 between February 2013 and February 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials noted, however, that despite the gains construction employment remained below peak levels in all but 19 metro areas.

Construction employers added 19,000 workers to payrolls in March, bringing industry employment to the highest level since June 2009, while the industry’s unemployment rate dropped to the lowest March level in seven years, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC. 

Total construction spending in February edged up from January despite adverse weather in much of the nation, as private residential and nonresidential components posted solid growth compared with early 2013, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that the construction spending figures would have been stronger if not for declines in public sector construction and infrastructure investments.