State of the Industry

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Hill International, Inc., delivering the infrastructure of change, on Sept. 20 announced a partnership with the National Urban League. The partnership will focus on increasing diversity in the country’s construction workforce.

FMI Corp. released a new white paper, titled “The New Economy Versus the Old Economy: Winners and Losers in Tomorrow’s Built Environment.” The white paper includes the company’s research on how current industry and economic trends are expected to shape the broader built environment in the coming months and years.

Construction employment climbed in 31 states from July to August, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America on Sept. 16. The gains come even as the vast majority of contractors report they would have added more workers if they could find them, according to a survey the association released at the end of August.

Hurricane Ian created billions of dollars of damages to homes, buildings and a variety of structures throughout Florida. As the construction industry mobilizes to assist with cleanup and restoration, it is important for out-of-state contractors to understand the complexity and enforcement of Florida’s construction licensing laws.

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction declined by 1.1 percent from July to August as a steep drop in fuel prices masked increases in the cost of other construction inputs, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released on Sept. 14. Association officials cautioned that limited price declines cannot undo the harm of clogged supply lines and labor shortages.

Construction firms added 16,000 jobs in August, according to an analysis of federal employment data released on Sept. 2 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said their newly released survey, conducted with Autodesk, showed contractors are eager to hire more employees but are being stymied by a dearth of qualified workers.

Total construction spending decreased by 0.4% in July as spending on new houses and apartments tumbled, overshadowing a pickup in private nonresidential and public construction, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released on Sept. 1 of federal spending data.

Construction employment increased in 250, or 70%, of 358 metro areas between July 2021 and July 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials cautioned that most construction firms report they are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire, according to a survey the association and Autodesk released Aug. 31.

Construction workforce shortages are affecting nearly all construction firms, undermining the industry’s ability to complete projects on schedule and threatening the success of new federal investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk.

The Associated General Contractors of America is launching a new effort to combat high suicide rates and improve mental health among the industry’s workers, the trade group announced today. The new effort, which the association is launching as part of its support for Suicide Prevention Month, is designed to address the high rate of suicide among construction workers.