Construction Employers Add 1,000 Industry Jobs in August
Construction employers nationwide added 1,000 jobs in August while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 11.3%, according to an analysis of new federal data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The unemployment declines come as the construction industry continues to shrink, association officials noted, adding that over 214,000 workers have left the industry since August 2011.
“While we all breathe a sigh of relief any time the sector adds jobs, these numbers are hardly cause for celebration,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “If it wasn’t for the fact that the housing sector is finally on the mend, construction employment would be heading in the wrong direction.”