Construction Employment Stagnates in June as Industry Unemployment Rate Drops

Construction employment stalled in June as more former construction workers left the industry, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.  The lack of current job openings, along with the departure of experienced workers, suggests a potential skilled-labor shortage may be developing, construction association officials warned. “Employment in the construction industry has fluctuated within a very narrow range—1 percent above or below the June level of 5.5 million—for more than two years now,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. While the latest figure was 14,000 higher than one year earlier, the June 2012 total was just 2,000 higher than in May and in June 2010.  “Construction employment has essentially been stagnant for much of the past two years.” Read the full press release here. The news was covered by the Portland Press Herald, Amarillo Globe News, Hispanic Business, Memphis Business Journal, Central Penn Business Journal, Business West, Light & Medium Truck, U.S. Glass News Network and Steel Guru, among others.