An unusual surge in public construction in October pushed total construction spending to its highest level since May 2009 despite a dip in both private residential and nonresidential activity, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by AGC of America.

Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 74 and was stagnant in 50 between October 2012 and October 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC.  Association officials added that despite the widespread jobs gains, construction employment remains below peak levels in 315 metro areas.

For several months, contractors have been reporting difficulty finding skilled labor. Of the 686 individuals who replied to an AGC member survey conducted in August, nearly three-quarters said they were having trouble filling some craft positions. More than half said they were having difficulty finding some professionals, especially project managers/supervisors (49 percent) and estimators (35 percent). A recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders also turned up widespread reports of hiring difficulties.

Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to an analysis today by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said action on needed infrastructure investments for water and transportation projects would help support continued employment growth for the industry.

Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added 11,000 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of sector job gains, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.

The partial federal government shutdown added to an already heavy toll on construction from federal spending cuts. Unfortunately, contractors should expect more blows ahead, even if Congress avoids another shutdown. The closure of so many offices drove home the many ways contractors interact with the federal government. Most directly, contractors working on federal sites may have experienced delayed approvals or lockouts as facilities such as national parks were blockaded in some cases. Contracting officers were unable to process bids or prepare tenders. The Government Accountability Office stopped reviewing and accepting bid protests on federal awards.

Construction employment rose by 20,000 in September and the industry’s unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 8.5 percent, while construction spending increased for the fifth consecutive month in August, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.

Total construction spending hit an unknown level in August because the Census Bureau was unable to release new data as a result of the federal government shutdown according to AGC of America. Association officials cautioned that the impacts of the shutdown will go beyond data as solicitations for many new construction projects come to a halt.

Construction employment expanded in 194 metro areas, declined in 88 and was stagnant in 57 between August 2012 and August 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread gains, construction employment reached peak levels for August in only 19 of 339 metro areas.

Construction employment increased in 26 between July and August and in 35 states for the year, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned, however, that construction employment remains below peak levels in most states and warned of the potential impact of a halt in federal construction investments.