Construction employment increased in 234 out of 358 US metro areas, was unchanged in 52 and declined in 72 between February 2015 and February 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that many energy-producing areas experienced job losses during the past year.
"Many parts of the country continue to see robust construction job growth as demand for projects rises,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Construction employment in many energy producing areas, however, appears to be suffering as lower prices for products like coal, oil and natural gas cuts into demand for construction services.”
Association officials said that it was unclear how many more jobs would have been added if it weren’t for the severe workforce shortages many firms have reported during the past several years. They added that these shortages are likely to have a broader impact on future construction employment growth, especially if the effects of lower energy prices remain relatively limited and localized, officials added.
“Considering the strong demand for construction many parts of the country are experiencing, it is tempting to imagine how many more people firms would have hired had they been able to find more qualified workers,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Assuming demand for construction continues to grow, most firms will have an even harder time finding, recruiting and preparing new workers.”