The construction craft and professional worker shortage is worsening, says a new Associated General Contractors' survey of 1,000 construction firms, but the workforce outlook did not appear to daunt chemical giant Sasol from making, on Oct. 27, a final investment decision for its $8.1-billion ethane cracker in Lake Charles, La., that anticipates a 5,000-person peak building workforce.
In its Oct. 22 survey, AGC says 83% of U.S. respondents report some difficulties filling craft jobs—particularly roofers, carpenters and operators—up from 74% a year ago. Some 61% of firms note challenges in filling white-collar slots, including project supervisors and estimators, up from 53%.