Construction Firms Add 15K April Jobs with Record-Low Unemployment Rate but Toil to Find Workers
Most of the construction gains occurred in the residential construction sector, while firms now pay workers 19 percent more compared to the average job as they struggle to recruit new people
The construction sector added 15,000 jobs in April while the sector’s unemployment rate fell to a record-low for the month and the number of unfilled construction positions is close to a monthly high, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released May 5. Association officials said the industry likely would have added even more positions if contractors could find more qualified workers.
“Contractors can’t find, reach, hire and train workers fast enough to keep pace with demand,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The pool of qualified, available labor is the smallest the industry has ever seen for the month of April.”