State of the Industry

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The National Center for Construction Education and Research, through its Build Your Future initiative, is excited to announce the national expansion of its career exploration tool, CareerStarter. This new program provides direct connections between entry-level job seekers, local training programs and employers.

Construction employment in July continued to trail pre-pandemic levels in 15 states as contractors struggled to find qualified workers to fill openings, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today.

The construction industry is on the brink of significant change and disruption. As the world continues to adjust and recover from COVID-19’s impact, it now also faces a multitude of pandemic-related macroeconomic factors. Add to that the war in Ukraine, high inflation, interest rate rises, supply chain challenges, increase wage costs and reduced skilled labor availability…and the picture becomes a bit darker.

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in response to the release of new federal rules that will soon require procurement officials to impose project labor agreements for federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more.

Pro-oriented, residentially focused construction supply companies acquired 671 locations and opened 154 others in 2021, capping one of the busiest years ever for lumberyards, specialty dealers and related firms, Webb Analytics’ just-released 2021 Deals Report finds.

Job growth accelerated in July amid higher inflation and growing economic pressures. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 528,000 and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.5% in July.

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction fell 1.3% last month, while contractors’ bid prices rose 5.4%, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials noted that, despite the monthly decline, materials prices remain high and the availability of certain key materials is erratic.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced public meetings of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health and the NACOSH Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Work Group on Sept. 12 – 13.

The $700 billion “Inflation Reduction Act” bill the Senate advanced to the House Sunday, using a special Budget Reconciliation procedure that allowed them to pass it with no Republican support, is a broad bill.

Construction firms added 32,000 jobs in July as the sector’s unemployment rate fell to 3.5% and the number of unfilled construction positions approached record levels, according to an analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.