Construction employment is significantly up across the country, with gains over the last twelve months in 47 states.
So says a new survey just published by the Associated General Contractors of America showing that firms of all sizes have increased their payrolls in recent months, including both open shop as well as union craft labor companies.
While the new survey, done in a partnership with the company Autodesk, clearly reveals boom times for construction employment, it also shows a growing industry need for yet more workers.
In a statement, Ken Simonson, chief economist with the AGC, said, “Construction workforce shortages are severe and having a significant impact on construction firms of all types, all sizes, and all labor arrangements.”
Simonson added that the ongoing shortages are “compounding the challenge firms are having with supply chain disruptions that are inflating the cost of construction materials and making delivery schedules and product availability uncertain.”
The year-over-year job gains seemed particularly robust in the West, with Arizona seeing an increase of 4,600 workers since last fall, while Colorado’s numbers were up by 7,400.
New Mexico recorded an increase of 6,000 workers, with Texas, reflecting a significantly larger population base, up by 43,200.
Nevada and Utah, meanwhile, saw gains of 5,500 and 11,600 respectively.
While the ever-present need for more construction workers is great, the situation will probably worsen due to a slow Baby Boom exit from the nation’s workforce, noted Allison Scott.
In charge of customer experience and industry advocacy at Autodesk, Scott predicts the current shortly “is only going to intensify as more workers retire.”
But in a positive note, Scott added that many of the nation’s construction firms have been taking a “proactive approach to preparing future workers for careers in construction.”
Continued Scott: “The renewed investment in career development and training, as well as a focus on digital skills, demonstrates that the industry is committed to taking action to build the next generation of the workforce.”
By Garry Boulard
