92% of employers say skills shortage affects productivity, job satisfaction

A report from Hays also found that a lack of training and development is one of the biggest contributors to the problem.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 31, 2018

Office, industrial construction to rise in 2018 and 2019

According to the American Institute of Architects, nonresidential activity is expected to grow 4% both this and next year.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 30, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Percentage of immigrant construction workers on the rise

The increase is largely due to a lack of U.S.-born workers returning to the construction industry following the Great Recession.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 26, 2018

'Reskilling crisis' emerging as 1.4M US jobs face technology disruption

Only 2% of workers have skills to immediately transition to new jobs, according to a World Economic Forum report.

By Naomi Eide • Jan. 24, 2018

December architecture billings strong, finish 2017's best quarter

The positive end to 2017 puts industry activity on solid ground for the coming months.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 24, 2018

Offsite construction to ramp up in 2018

The rise will be driven by factors including contractors' difficulty filling skilled labor positions and the need to complete projects faster and with fewer resources.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 17, 2018

Automation's opportunities and threats

Despite its safety and productivity benefits, a new report indicates that automation could displace 2.7 million construction workers in the next 40 years.

By Laurie Cowin • Jan. 17, 2018

You can fix internal skills gaps — but you have to find them first

When training shortcomings start affecting the bottom line, it's time to identify exactly where employees are missing the mark.

By Riia O'Donnell • Jan. 16, 2018

December material prices edge down, up 5% for 2017

Material price inflation largely was kept at bay in December, but the Associated Builders and Contractors said increases are likely in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2018

CT governor shelves more than $4B in infrastructure projects

Gov. Dannel Malloy said he made the decision amid concerns surrounding the solvency of the state's Special Transportation Fund. 

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2018

Toyota, Mazda to build $1.6B AL plant

The plant, which is expected to employ 4,000 people, is part of a five-year, $10 billion Toyota investment initiative.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 11, 2018

Report: Office construction spurred by tech industry

Big cities with the strongest tech sectors have the lowest vacancy rates.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 11, 2018

The 50 States of Construction: How Indiana's thriving economy is driving construction opportunities

Jeff Lyness, of Maxwell Construction, shares his thoughts about why construction in his state is booming and how his company is using recruiting methods and technology to thrive amid the skilled labor shortage.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 10, 2018

$700M University of Southern California Village largest development in institution's history

The 15-acre development, completed in August, created 5,600 construction jobs and is expected to add $5.2 billion to the local economy.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 10, 2018

Dodge Momentum Index ends 2017 on a high note

The month's uptick was driven by the institutional sector, which shot up 8.6% month over month, while the commercial sector grew by a modest 0.7%.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 9, 2018

How local recruiters can help construction find talent amid a shortage

Industry recruitment firms are building relationships with superintendents and project managers who can be tapped later for jobs — but for hefty fees.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 9, 2018

Marijuana now legal in California, but employers can still enforce anti-drug policies

Zero-tolerance rules can remain despite recreational marijuana being legal — but employers nationwide must keep an eye on the issue.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 8, 2018

8 construction trends to watch in 2018

After a robust 2017, construction companies are expecting more of the same this year. Here are the strengths and challenges they face in the year ahead.

By Kim Slowey , Mary Tyler March , Laurie Cowin • Jan. 8, 2018

Construction gains 30,000 jobs in December

The industry added 210,000 jobs in 2017, a more than 35% jump from 2016's increase of 155,000.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 8, 2018

US construction spending hits new all-time high in November

The uptick in spending was driven by a 1% monthly increase in the homebuilding sector and a 0.9% increase in the private nonresidential sector.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 4, 2018

November construction unemployment rate drops to 5%

That rate translated to 191,000 more construction workers in the industry than there were as of November 2016, boosting year-over-year employment in 36 states.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 4, 2018

Private construction spending beats public spending in 2017

Total private-sector spending was up 6.5%, bolstered by residential construction. But private nonresidential construction spending fell 3.1%.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 4, 2018

Report: Majority of contractors optimistic, expect to expand staffs

A survey of Associated General Contractors of America members indicates most market segments will grow and construction firms will increase payrolls in 2018.

By Laurie Cowin • Jan. 4, 2018

Construction by the numbers in 2017

As the year ends, we take a look at some of the key numbers that defined the industry throughout the past 365 days.

By Laurie Cowin • Dec. 26, 2017

Dodge: November construction starts fall 12%

The past three months have averaged only a 1% drop in starts compared with the average of activity from January to August.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 22, 2017