Construction Unemployment Rate Declines to Seven-Year Low of 9.4 Percent

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.

“It is heartening that all categories of construction employers added workers, not only in April but over the past 12 months,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Moreover, contractors have been adding to workers’ hours as well as hiring more employees.” Read the full release here.