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

Matthew Lee, Young Contracting Have you ever had to sit through a presentation where you spend the entire time checking you phone for emails and messages even though you know you haven’t received any new ones? At some point in your career, whether you are in business development, sales, marketing, management, or otherwise, most of us will have to get up in front of a group of people and make a presentation. Here are FIVE tips that may help you give a meaningful presentation.

Almost 70% of contractors are having a hard time filling skilled positions, according to an AGC survey. This article looks at what some builders and associations are doing to increase the pipeline of future workers and retain current ones.

Wal-Mart estimates that plans for new and remodeled stores will involve 24,000 construction jobs. The retailer is among companies focusing on domestic hiring and investment.

Mobile devices are increasingly the channel of choice for personal and business communications, especially among the young. Addressing contractors and their specific needs, Mayer Electric is offering a digital project-management app that works within a distributor's enterprise-resource planning system to deliver daily or even hourly project updates.

January 31, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST Lean construction methods in the building industry have focused largely on coordinating work between various trades and eliminating conflict through more productive communication and coordination. Although these concepts are important in all construction work, horizontal contractors self-perform more work and build in a more linear fashion, resulting in a greater need to improve performance within its own operations. In many ways horizontal construction is more like manufacturing than building construction.

Applications for the 2016 Outstanding Student Chapter Contest have been accepted and AGC of America received applications from exceptional Student Chapters across the country! Each of the Student Chapters demonstrated a strong portfolio showing dedication to their community and public service projects. Three applications in particular stood out from the others and AGC of America is happy to announce the first, second and third place winners of the 2016 AGC Outstanding Student Chapter Contest:

Sundt Senior Vice President and Texas District Manager Eric Hedlund has been named to the Arizona State University School of Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment Hall of Fame. He will be inducted Feb. 3.

As our premier event each year, the AGC Convention is the ideal opportunity to see everything AGC can do for you and your business. As building contractors we would like to highlight the following sessions: Building Contractors Division Session Wednesday, March 7, 2017 | 8:30 am – 10:00 am

Construction employment slipped by 3,000 jobs in December, while average hourly earnings accelerated, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that recent construction spending numbers and their own survey of members suggest demand for construction remains strong, suggesting that the lack of hiring may be due to a shortage of available workers. “This report presents mixed signals about the state of the construction industry,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Although a dip in employment might normally be a sign of declining demand, in this case the industry is raising wages and taking other steps to attract and retain workers. Construction spending in November hit a 10-year high, with one-month and year-over-year increases in all major segments. Looking ahead, contractors say they expect more work in every category in 2017 than in 2016.” Read full news release here.