US construction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016, although half the states shed construction jobs between May and June, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the flattening of monthly employment gains and losses indicates the urgency of beefing up programs to attract, train and retain construction workers.
“Construction demand is still growing strongly in all regions and among many types of owners,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But contractors appear to be struggling to fill jobs in the short run.” As evidence of the challenge in filling jobs, he noted that recent data show a spike in job openings at construction firms and a huge decline in the number of experienced construction workers available for hire.
Construction employment declined over the past 12 months in 11 states and the District of Columbia. On a month-on-month analysis, 23 states and D.C. added construction jobs between May and June, 25 states lost jobs, and employment was unchanged in two states.
Association officials said the fact nearly half of the states that added construction jobs over the past 12 months had static or falling employment between May and June shows the widespread need to draw more workers into the industry and provide them the skills to succeed. They noted that 70 percent of firms reported earlier this year that they are experiencing difficulty finding qualified workers.