ConDig (21-Apr-17).  An Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis of Department of Labor figures shows that 17 states added construction jobs between February and March of this year, down from 39 states increasing job levels the month prior.

For the period between March of this year and last year, a total of 39 states increased construction employment.

“Construction job gains were much less widespread in March after unseasonably mild weather boosted hiring in more states than usual in February,” said Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist.

“Only Massachusetts and Texas set new records for construction employment in March, following a month in which construction employment reached all-time highs in five states.”

California added the most construction jobs between February and March at 18,900, while Georgia added 4,700 jobs and Texas 4,000.

New Mexico added the highest percentage of construction jobs during the past month at 3.4%, or 1,500 jobs, followed by Georgia; California; Maine and Nevada at 2%, or 600 jobs.

But construction employment dropped in 30 states and Washington D.C. during the past month and was unchanged in Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Illinois shed more construction jobs than any other state at -7,100, followed by Louisiana at -6,700 and Maryland at -4,500 jobs.

AGC continues to warn about the lack of skilled labor available in the market, reporting that more contractors are quoting longer completion times or passing up opportunities to bid on new projects to offset the impact of labor shortages.

It reiterated calls on federal, state and local officials to act promptly and implement measures that open up more career and technical education opportunities, especially for high school students.

“More high school students should know that construction offers above-average starting pay, steady work and good career advancement,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC’s chief executive officer.