An analysis of data from the Associated General Contractors of America says between March 2015 and March 2016 construction employment increased in 244 out of 358 U.S. metro areas. Interestingly, they noted that 70% of firms in the association’s annual Outlook survey reported they are having a hard time finding qualified workers.
“With more than two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas adding construction jobs it is clear that the demand for construction is broad-based geographically and by project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, adding that construction employment hit new peak levels in 31 metro areas. “The main soft patch for the construction industry remains the parts of the country most likely to be affected by declining energy prices.”
