Construction firms added 17,000 jobs in May and 273,000 over 12 months, as the sector's unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent, the lowest May rate since 2006, according to an analysis by AGC. Association officials noted that the job gains come as the private and public sectors are increasing investments in construction services.
“Construction employers continue to expand headcount as they adjust to growing demand for their services in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Right now the two most likely obstacles to the industry’s continued expansion are growing labor shortages and political gridlock that could curtail public sector investments in infrastructure and construction.”
Read full press release here.