The construction industry shed 3,000 jobs overall between July and August, falling to a total of 7.4 million, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. The residential construction sector alone, however, recorded a gain of 17,400 jobs, the sector’s fourth consecutive month of job gains.
The construction industry shed 3,000 jobs overall between July and August, falling to a total of 7.4 million, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. The residential construction sector alone, however, recorded a gain of 17,400 jobs, the sector’s fourth consecutive month of job gains.
The job declines, meanwhile, were confined to the nonresidential construction sector, which shed 20,300 jobs—its fifth consecutive month of job declines.
“The figures show that nonresidential building and infrastructure contractors are having a hard time recovering from the impact of the pandemic on demand for structures,” stated Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “At the same time, our survey finds many contractors have job openings but are experiencing a lack of qualified applicants, shortages of materials and long delivery delays.”
AGC’s survey found that 90% of construction firm respondents had openings for hourly workers and 62% had openings for salaried employees. Seventy-two percent of respondents reported that available job candidates were not qualified.
The full AGC report can be found here.
