Construction Employers Add 16,000 Jobs in September, 230,000 for the Year as Sector's Unemployment Rate Declines to 7 Percent, a Seven-Year Low

Construction employers added 16,000 jobs and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 7 percent, the lowest rate for September in years, according to an analysis released today by AGC. Association officials said the construction employment gains come as more firms report having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions, citing the lack of local vocational training programs, especially at the secondary level. “While we are eager to see even more construction employment gains, there is no denying the fact that the industry has been in recovery mode for much of the past three years,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “But the industry won't be able to keep filling positions if there aren't enough qualified workers available to fill them.” Read press release here.