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    May Construction Employment Climbs, Firms Scramble to Fill Positions: AGC

    Written by David Schollaert


    Construction employment increased by 36,000 jobs in May backed by rapidly rising hourly earnings. And a record number of job openings suggests contractors are seeking to hire even more workers, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reported.

    “It is encouraging that contractors were able to add workers in May, but they will need many more to meet the increasing demand for infrastructure and private nonresidential projects,” AGC chief economist Ken Simonson said. “Despite steeply rising pay for hourly workers, job openings in construction hit an all-time high at the end of April, while the industry’s low unemployment rate suggests experienced workers are scarce.”

    David Schollaert

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