Construction employment increased in 180 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 46 and declined in 132 between October 2014 and October 2015, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials attributed the fact that over half of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs to growing demand for construction but cautioned that labor shortages could be impeding employment growth in parts of the country.
“Contractors are adding workers in many parts of the country again, which is consistent with the robust growth that is occurring in construction spending,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But job gains would be even more widespread if contractors could find enough qualified experienced craft workers and supervisors as well as new entrants to the industry.”
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