Construction employment increased by 36,000 jobs in January to the highest level since November 2008 as employers increased pay in an effort to address a chronic worker shortage, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association urged public officials to strengthen training and education programs to prepare more workers for careers in the high-paying construction field.
“This report aligns with what contractors have been telling the association—that the construction industry is still eager to add workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “The employment gains would be even larger if there were enough workers with the right skills available to hire.”
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