Construction Employers Add 1,000 Jobs in August, Industry Unemployment Rate Hits 11.3 Percent

Construction employers added 1,000 jobs in August while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 11.3 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by AGC.  The unemployment declines come as the construction industry continues to shrink, association officials noted, adding that over 214,000 workers have left the industry since August 2011. “While we all breathe a sigh of relief any time the sector adds jobs, these numbers are hardly cause for celebration,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.  “If it wasn’t for the fact that the housing sector is finally on the mend, construction employment would be heading in the wrong direction.” Read full press release here. The news was covered by New Mexico Business Weekly, ENR, Bloomberg BNA’s Construction Labor Report, Glass Magazine, and Construction Superintendent Magazine, among others.