This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • News
    • Newswire
  • Features
    • Projects
    • Companies
  • Top Lists
  • Current Issue
  • Blogs
  • Submit Your Photos
    • People
    • Events
    • Projects
  • Resources
    • Proposals & Bids
    • Industry Jobs
    • Subscribe
    • eNewsletter
    • Events
    • Advertise
    • Reprints and Plaques
    • Staff Directory
    • Construction Cities
  • ENR Home
  • Other Regions
    • ENR Home
    • California
    • MidAtlantic
    • Midwest
    • Mountain States
    • New York
    • New England
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Texas & Louisiana
Home » Construction Employment Declines Again in November
Mountain States Construction NewsMountain States

Construction Employment Declines Again in November

December 4, 2011
Reprints
No Comments

Construction employment shrank for the second straight month in November as residential, nonresidential building and heavy construction segments remained in low gear, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Association officials said the employment drop reflects continued declines in public-sector investments. They added that construction employment could benefit from increased transportation investments and other pro-growth measures designed to boost private-sector demand.

“Industry employment has remained virtually unchanged since early 2010 despite a pick-up in some private construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Although the construction unemployment rate fell to 13.1% in November from 18.8% a year earlier, the lack of industry job growth means former construction workers are finding work elsewhere or leaving the workforce altogether. That’s ominous for future construction hiring.”

Total construction employment now stands at 5.52 million, down 12,000 or 0.2% from a month earlier and only 18,000 (0.3%) higher than in November 2010, the economist said. He noted that industry employment was actually 11,000 lower than in February 2010, while the private sector as a whole added nearly 3 million jobs in that time.

Residential building and specialty-trade contractors combined had no change in employment for the month but added 20,400 workers over the year, Simonson observed. Nonresidential building and specialty trade employment slipped by 4,700 in November but was unchanged year-over-year. Heavy and civil engineering construction—representing public works contractors—lost 7,000 jobs in November and 2,900 over the year.

Association officials warned that the decline in public works employment will intensify unless lawmakers promptly pass long-term highway and aviation spending bills that are now more than two years overdue. The construction trade association also urged passage of funding for water infrastructure and public buildings.

“Holding up these bills is forcing all levels of government to defer needed overhauls and improvements,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The lack of funding is driving many workers out of the industry, perhaps permanently, and is making the eventual cost of infrastructure spending much higher.”

ENR Subscribe

Related Articles

U.S. Consumer Confidence Declines Again in November

Industry Employment Declines in November

Related Events

Disrupt or be Disrupted: The Accelerating Pace of Change in Construction

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment


Top Lists

Top Design FirmsTop Design Firms
Regional Design Work Remains Steady Even as Fees Tighten, Uncertainties Rise


Top ContractorsTop Contractors
Regional Contractors See Market Strength Continuing Through 2020


Top Specialty ContractorsTop Specialty Contractors
Subcontractors Can Expect More Growth, Labor Shortages in 2019



Industry Jobs

Videos

ENR Proposals and Bids


ENR twitterfeed
Tweets by ENR_MS

ENR

ENR Digital Edition Cover

Dec 9, 2019

A joint venture of Skanska, Corman Kokosing Construction Co. and McLean Contracting Co. is moving toward an early 2020 construction start for a $463-million replacement for a 79-year-old bridge across the Potomac River, south of Washington, D.C.

View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • advertise
    • contact us
    • about us
    • photo submissions
    • customer service
    • digital edition
    • Survey And Sample
  • Subscription Center
    • Subscribe
    • Website Registration
    • Privacy Policy
    • eNewsletters
    • FAQ
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Slideshows
    • Photo Contest

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing