Construction employment increased in three-fifths of
US metro areas between August 2015 and August 2016—the smallest share in nearly three and a half years—as contractors in many areas report difficulty in finding qualified workers, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Construction employment increased in 220, or 61 percent, of 358 metro areas in the past year, held steady in 62 areas, and declined in 76 areas. The number of areas with gains was the smallest since April 2013.
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. added the most construction jobs during the past year (11,400 jobs, 12 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in Boise City, Idaho (24 percent, 4,500 jobs).
The largest job losses from August 2015 to August 2016 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-3,700 jobs, -2 percent). The largest percentage declines for the past year were in Bloomington, Ill. (-16 percent, -500 jobs).
Association officials said the new construction employment figures, combined with recent data on job openings in the sector, make it clear that firms in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough workers to hire. They added that the data is consistent with survey results the association released last month showing two-thirds of construction firms are having a hard time finding qualified craft workers to hire.
“Many firms would be hiring more people if only they could find qualified applicants to bring onboard,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer, who urged the Senate to act quickly on a House-passed measure to reform and boost funding for career and technical education programs.