Dive Brief:
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The construction industry created new jobs in 37 states and Washington, DC, between October 2013 and last month, the Associated General Contractors of America reported.
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Florida added the most construction jobs of any state since October 2013, while New Jersey lost the most.
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Construction employment increased between September and October 2014 in 28 states and the District.
Dive Insight:
Job creation in most industries is an indication that things are going well. But many new construction jobs go unfilled as persistent labor shortages across the country continue to cause delays on job sites and slow the pace of building.
In fact, AGC’s chief economist Ken Simonson said the lack of skilled laborers and qualified construction professionals had left the construction industry’s recovery “vulnerable.” And CEO Stephen E. Sandherr says weak demand from the public sector, combined with rising wages, contributes to construction’s economic woes.