Thirty-five states added construction jobs between September 2015 and September 2016 while construction employment increased in only 21 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said contractors still report difficulty filling construction jobs, and they urged Congress to complete action on a bill that would help more students gain the skills to qualify for good-paying careers in construction.
“The list of states that are adding construction jobs has been shrinking, yet contractors generally report they are busy now and optimistic about the workload ahead,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Therefore, the lack of employment increases in many states may reflect the difficulty contractors say they are having in finding qualified workers.”
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