US construction job growth rebounded in October as 43 states and the District of Columbia recorded employment increases from a year earlier, while 35 states added construction jobs in the past month, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that sustaining such widespread job gains will require support at all levels of government for construction training programs.
“Construction job gains were more widespread than at any time since last February,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Several states that had recently experienced year-over-year job losses began adding workers, while net employment gains accelerated in numerous other states.”
In the past 12 months construction spending rose 14 percent, the fastest clip since 2006, Simonson noted. He said the spending data suggest contractors will continue to expand hiring if they can find qualified workers. But he cautioned that may be difficult in many states because the number of unemployed jobseekers in October who last worked in construction was at the lowest October level since 2006.
Association officials urged leaders at all levels of government to put in place measures to make it easier for school districts, local associations and firms to establish construction recruitment and training programs, along the lines of the steps outlined in the association’s Workforce Development Plan. “Construction firms won’t be able to keep adding jobs at their current pace if there aren’t enough qualified workers available to hire,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.