Construction Employment Increases Year-Over-Year in November but Still Lags Behind Pre-Pandemic Levels

According to analysis provided by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), construction employment increased in nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas year-over-year, between November 2020 and November 2021. AGC officials welcomed the news for the overall construction industry but noted that it will be challenging for construction levels to return to pre-pandemic levels amid the current tight labor market conditions.

AGC officials said that most construction firms are reporting that they are continuing to struggle to find enough qualified workers to hire. The same officials called on the Biden administration to boost funding for career and technical education to expose more students to construction career opportunities. They noted that federal officials put six dollars into collegiate education and preparation for every dollar they currently invest in career and technical education.

In commenting on the gap on federal funding, Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC’s CEO said, “The gap in federal funding for career and technical education is making it hard for sectors like construction, manufacturing, and shipping to find workers interested in those career tracks. We are doing everything we can to recruit people into high-paying construction careers but exposing more students to construction skills will certainly help.”