Associated General Contractors' Ken Simonson

ARLINGTON, VA–Construction employment increased in 211 metro areas between November 2015 and November 2016, the lowest number of annual gains in four years, the Associated General Contractors of America said Wednesday. A lack of qualified workers, rather than a lack of available jobs, was largely to blame, and AGC officials urged the incoming Trump administration to include workforce measures with its new infrastructure program.

“The incoming administration has a unique opportunity to leverage its new infrastructure program to attract the next generation into high-paying construction careers,” says Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Arlington, VA-based association. “Putting new workforce development measures in place will make it easier for construction firms to keep pace with growing public- and private-sector demand.”

Among the measures recommended by AGC, an increase in funding for the federal Perkins Act that finances high school-level career and technical education programs is high on the list. Such a boost, according to AGC, would encourage school officials to provide construction-focused programs and would make it easier for open-shop construction firms to set up apprenticeship training programs.

“Considering that spending levels remain relatively robust for most market segments, firms in many parts of the country are likely having a hard time finding enough workers to hire,” says Ken Simonson, chief economist with AGC. “It appears that the industry would be employing more people if it could only find enough qualified people to hire.”

The Denver and Orlando metro areas added the most construction jobs over the past year, with each gaining 9,600 positions for increases of 10% and 15%, respectively. The largest percentage gain occurred in Boise, ID, where the 3,900 new positions represented an increase of 21%. percent, 400 jobs) and Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio (16 percent, 300 jobs).

Construction employment declined in 86 metro areas and held steady in another 61 during the past 12 months. The largest year-over-year job losses were in Houston, which shed 12,700 jobs, a 6% decline; and Los Angeles, which saw a decline of 4,400 jobs or 3%.

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Construction Hires Hit Four-Year Low

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