Forty states added construction jobs between July 2018 and July 2019, while construction employment increased in 25 states from June to July, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department. Association officials said the new jobs totals indicate there is a need for new federal investments in career and technical education programs, along with immigration reform.
"Demand for projects, and the workers to build them, shows no sign of letting up in most states, and contractors continue to increase headcount when they can find qualified workers," stated chief economist Ken Simonson. "But job openings at the end of June were the highest ever for June, suggesting that contractors are struggling to find all the workers they need in many states."