August 3, 2016 — Analysis of federal employment data by the AGC of America shows that construction employment increased in 228 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 48 and declined in 82 between June 2015 and June 2016. Association officials urged Congress to act on legislation to reform and increase federal funding for career and technical education to encourage more high school students to pursue high-paying careers in construction.
The most construction jobs added during the past year (12,500 jobs, 14%) were in Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, Calif. Other metro areas adding a large number of construction jobs include Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo.; Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. The largest percentage gains occurred in Kokomo, Ind. (20%, 200 jobs); Boise City, Idaho; Brockton-Bridgewater-Eastern, Mass.; and Danville, Ill.
Job losses from June 2015 to June 2016 were the largest in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-3,300 jobs, -2%), followed by Midland, Texas; Odessa, Texas; and New Orleans-Metairie, La. The largest percentage drops for the past year were in Bloomington, Ill. (-19%, -600 jobs); Rocky Mount, N.C.; Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Ala.; and Grants Pass, Ore.
Association officials said the latest employment figures underscore the need to reinvigorate high school-level training programs to encourage more students to pursue construction careers. “It makes no sense that there are thousands of young people who can’t find a job while we have hundreds of members who can’t find enough workers,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Congress can help fix this mismatch by passing legislation that makes it easier for schools to prepare students with the skills they need to find high-paying jobs in careers like construction.”
Complete details can be found at www.agc.org.