The stimulus is putting construction workers on the jobsite in significant numbers, according to a White House study. The flow of federal economic-stimulus funds has produced or saved about 1 million jobs, including an estimated 133,000 in the construction industry, the White House Council of Economic Advisers says in a report on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The figures are estimates, CEA notes, and are not an actual count of jobs reported by state agencies or companies that have received the stimulus funds. Related Links: Stimulus Project Report: Job Rollout is Uneven Construction Jobs Trickle Back
Construction’s unemployment rate fell in August to its lowest level in eight months, but the rate remains much worse than it was a year ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Sept. 4. Economists say the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appears to be saving some jobs, at least in the highway sector, but they also say the industry is still hurting. + Image SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although construction’s 16.5% August jobless rate was better than July’s 18.2%, it remained more than double the August 2008 mark of 8.2%. Rates are not seasonally adjusted. Construction’s jobless
Construction's unemployment rate declined in August to 16.5%-- the industry's lowest jobless rate in eight months--the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Construction's August rate was an improvement over the 18.2% reported for July, but it was more than double the August 2008 rate of 8.2%. Related Links: Read the full BLS release The industry rates are not adjusted for seasonal variations. BLS's latest monthly employment report, released Sept. 4, also showed construction continued to lose jobs, dropping 65,000 in August, seasonally adjusted. That's an improvement over the 76,000 jobs shed in July, but is far from anything approaching an increase
Having employees climb three of New England’s highest mountains in 24 hours may not be how most construction industry firms hone team-building and leadership skills, but a London-based industry software provider is sponsoring just such an event next month. Organizers hope the “three peaks challenge” on Sept. 19-20 will replicate the success of a similar program in the U.K., that, since 2002, has raised a total of $3 million for global charities, not to mention the profile of its sponsor, Construction Industry Solutions Ltd. (COINS). Photo: COINS U.K. construction team celebrates after grueling 24-hour challenge. Photo: COINS Industry firms scale
Construction’s stubbornly high unemployment rate bounced upward in July to 18.2%, from 17.4% in June, says the U.S. Labor Dept.’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry’s jobless rate was more than 10 percentage points higher than July 2008’s level. In its latest monthly employment report, released on Aug. 7, BLS says construction lost another 76,000 jobs in July, adjusted for seasonal variations, compared with average losses of 73,000 during the past three months. The industry has shed more than 1.3 million jobs since the recession began. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Construction’s unemployment rate has jumped to 18.2%. BLS’s report
Construction's stubbornly high unemployment rate bounced upward in July to 18.2%, from 17.4% in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The industry's jobless rate last month also was well above the 8.0% level posted in July 2008. Related Links: Bureau of Labor Statistics Release In its latest monthly employment report, released Aug. 7, BLS said construction lost another 76,000 jobs in July, adjusted for seasonal variations, compared with average losses of 73,000 over the past three months. The industry has shed more than 1.3 million jobs since the recession began. BLS's report also showed a continued large gap between
A widespread adoption of lean techniques, integrated teaming and virtual design and construction could be the keys to improving productivity in the construction industry, according to a new report released by the National Research Council. The report, “Advancing the Competitiveness and Efficiency of the U.S. Construction Industry,” focuses on reducing waste in time, cost, materials, energy, skills and labor and offers recommendations on how to promote industry-wide adoption over the next 20 years. + Image Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of labor statistics Construction and non-farm labor productivity index “This is the most important topic in the industry right
In two months, hordes of would-be craft superintendents and construction CEOs will again descend on a unique training facility in Tempe, Ariz., to perfect skills in backhoe operation, bid preparation and workforce management, among other key industry tasks. These prospective managers may be only 4 ft tall and in elementary school, but they wield hardhats, solar panels, business plans and Palm Pilots like the seasoned professionals program boosters hope they choose to become. Slide Show Photo: Junior Achievement Of Arizona Inc. Unique Phoenix facility simulates craft and business challenges. The program is sponsored by the national Junior Achievement (JA) organization,
Lawmakers who support the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize, continue to hold backroom negotiations to find a way to change the bill to avoid a filibuster in the Senate. Construction groups oppose provisions that permit elections without a secret ballot and require binding arbitration to settle disputes. Geoff Burr, vice president of government affairs with Associated Builders and Contractors, says even if some provisions were removed to reach cloture, once the bill goes to the floor, senators can reinstate those provisions by amendment. Kate Cyrul, a spokeswoman for Sen. Tom Harkin
The Obama administration has proposed rules that would encourage agencies to consider project labor agreements (PLAs) on large projects, including economic-stimulus work. The proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation change, published on July 14, says agencies should consider requiring PLAs on jobs of $25 million or more. It follows President Obama’s Feb. 6 directive overturning the Bush administration’s ban on federal PLAs. Labor unions lobbied for the rule change in the 2008 presidential campaign. AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Dept. spokesman Tom Owens says the rule will “be a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our value in certain regions of the