Updated 9.3/2024: Construction employment is projected to climb by 380,100 jobs over the next decade and record a modest annual growth rate in that period, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says in a new forecast.
Mr. Ichniowski may be contacted at ichniowskit@enr.com
Growing labor shortages continue to plague the construction industry, while trade schools and job training programs report their current enrollment won’t make up for a wave of retiring skilled workers. Robotic solutions to repetitive, labor-intensive tasks on construction sites are already available, but a new generation of robots aims to boost workforce efficiency by tackling the tedious and dangerous tasks that plague general and specialty contractors.
Reprinted courtesy of Jeff Yoders, ENR and Jeff Rubenstone, ENR
Mr. Yoders may be contacted at yodersj@enr.com
Mr. Rubenstone may be contacted at rubenstonej@enr.com
Filling open jobs continues to be a challenge for many contractors, with 94% of respondents to a recent workforce survey from the Associated General Contractors of America and HR technology company Arcoro reporting that they had openings for craft workers, and 94% of those firms saying openings have been hard to fill. Also, 92% of contractors surveyed said they were having difficulty filling open salaried position as well.
Mr. Leggate may be contacted at leggatej@enr.com
ACS Group says it is integrating its North American civil engineering and construction businesses by combining its Dragados unit with Flatiron Construction into a single operation. In announcing the combination July 30, Madrid-based ACS said Flatiron-Dragados would become the second-largest civil engineering firm in the U.S.
Mr. Korman may be contacted at kormanr@enr.com
P&A partners Jerry P. Brodsky, Denis Serkin, and Michael S. Zicherman, served as exclusive contributing editors and authors of Lexology’s Panoramic: Construction 2025 – US and Global guide. This guide, formerly known as Getting the Deal Through, provides a comprehensive international expert analysis in key areas of law, practice, and regulation for construction industry members, construction-related legal professionals, and business providers.
Reprinted courtesy of Jerry P. Brodsky, Peckar & Abramson, P.C., Denis Serkin, Peckar & Abramson, P.C. and Michael S. Zicherman, Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Mr. Brodsky may be contacted at jbrodsky@pecklaw.com
Mr. Serkin may be contacted at dserkin@pecklaw.com
Mr. Zicherman may be contacted at mzicherman@pecklaw.com
The construction landscape is constantly evolving. From continuing labor shortages to ready-to-deploy tech solutions, a range of forces is currently influencing project delivery across the U.S. It takes agility, flexibility and creative operating strategies for construction executives to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Here are some of the latest construction trends to help your company stay ahead of this dynamic sector’s ever-changing curve.
1. Rising Labor Costs and Skills Gap
The rise of hybrid working, an aging workforce and increasing wages across multiple sectors are making it difficult for construction firms to secure skilled talent. This can directly impede their ability to complete construction projects.
Reprinted courtesy of Mike Putnam, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
It's no secret that fluctuating labor shortages and supply-chain delays can present business challenges for contractors. Construction company leaders must think proactively about future operational interruptions. Speeding into the second half of 2024, labor shortages, the supply chain and technology are among the top trends for construction industry leaders to be aware of and address.
ONGOING LABOR SHORTAGES
Construction traditionally has a high labor turnover rate, which only increases during labor shortages. During this historic shortage, the construction workforce is up against several factors, including an aging workforce and recruitment struggles.
Reprinted courtesy of David DeSilva and Chris O'Hala, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associated Builders and Contractors today released its 2024 Workforce Development Survey, which found its member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide craft, leadership and health and safety education to more than 1.3 million course attendees nationwide in 2023, up from $1.5 billion in 2022 and on track with $1.6 billion in 2021.
Other key findings include:
WASHINGTON, June 3—National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.3% in April, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.20 trillion.
Spending was down on a monthly basis in 10 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending decreased 0.3%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.2% in April.
Reprinted courtesy of ABC, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
The White House is rolling out a federal definition of zero-emissions buildings for the first time, outlining a new guide for top-tier building energy performance in the US that sets what it hopes will become an industry baseline.
While the guidance lacks any legal weight, the administration hopes this new yardstick will send a strong market signal about the future of sustainable building and energy performance nationwide.
The National Institute of Building Sciences’ Building Innovation Conference 2024, held in Washington, D.C., from May 22-24, offered attendees insights on incoming shifts within the industry with hard-hitting declarations from experts who broke down what the future of the built environment holds. Chief among the discussion topics were the supply chain, workforce diversification and social equity, and climate adaptation and mitigation.
Reprinted courtesy of Jordan LeGras, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
Ms. LeGras may be contacted at legras@abc.org
In the construction industry, safety lapses can have dire consequences. A recent incident on a multistory construction site underscores the critical need for rigorous safety protocols. An employee slipped and nearly fell from the top level during a routine task of disposing refuse into a trash chute. Fortunately, thanks to the company's recently enhanced fall-protection program, the worker's safety equipment prevented what could have been a fatal accident.
This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing risks of falls in construction. Despite continuous efforts to improve safety, falls remain a leading cause of injury and death on jobsites, second only to vehicle accidents. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that more than 400 fall-related deaths occur annually, a distressing statistic that has remained consistent over the past decade.
Reprinted courtesy of Mark McGhiey, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
ALACHUA, Fla., June 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) released its 2024 Construction Craft Salary Survey, and the results reflect high earning potential for skilled craft professionals. NCCER received responses from 183 organizations representing nearly 323,000 employees from the industrial, commercial and residential construction industries across the United States.
According to the results, average annual salaries ranged from $52,520 to $89,609, with more than 80% of positions reporting salaries above $65,000. General foreman and instrumentation technician topped the list with salaries of more than $89,600 and $84,700, respectively. The salaries represent average annual earnings for individual craft areas and do not include overtime, per diem or other incentives that are common in the construction industry.
In addition to specific craft positions, some of the other factors that determine a skilled professional's salary include construction type, credentials, certifications and experience.
About NCCER – The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is the leading provider of construction education for industry and career and technical education programs. With flexible workforce development and learning solutions, NCCER's programs provide consistency and quality to ensure craft professionals and learners receive industry-recognized certifications and credentials. To learn more, visit www.nccer.org.
New York City will take control of 120 acres of Brooklyn’s coastline, intending to develop a rugged patch of land into housing, retail, green space, and a modern, environmentally friendly port.
The no-cash deal, which will be announced Tuesday, represents the city government’s biggest real estate transaction in terms of physical size in at least two decades. The redevelopment zone stretches more than a mile, from the southern edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park down to the Red Hook neighborhood, and in some places a block inland. Most of that land is currently controlled by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Britain’s construction industry expanded at its fastest pace in 14 months in April, adding to confidence the economy is rebounding from a recession.
The construction purchasing managers’ index jumped to 53 in April, up from 50.2 the previous month, S&P Global said Tuesday. It was well above economists’ expectations of 50.4, with any score above 50 signaling growth.
It added to signs that the economy kept expanding in the second quarter after a shallow downturn in the final months of last year. Official data on Friday is expected to show that the gross domestic product returned to growth at the start of 2024, with forecasters predicting a 0.4% gain in the first quarter.
Two crews working in Detroit and Windsor, Ont., Canada, will meet in the middle of the Gordie Howe Bridge by the end of June, according to the joint-venture contractor, Bridging North America, managing both sides of the project.
Mr. Yoders may be contacted at yodersj@enr.com
In the bustling world of construction, where towering structures rise and heavy machines hum, the dangers that lurk within the workspace often go unnoticed. Among these hazards lies a significant and frequently disregarded threat: concussions.
A concussion is a simple way of saying mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). In terms of traumatic brain injuries, there are three types: mild TBI, moderate TBI and severe TBI. This article will discuss mTBI within the construction industry.
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR VULNERABILITIES
Concussions pose a significant but frequently disregarded risk within the construction industry, arising from various occupational hazards. Studies show a notable incidence of concussions resulting from falls, falling objects and other construction-related incidents, underscoring the widespread occurrence of these injuries in the sector. The impact of concussions goes beyond immediate health implications, encompassing short-term cognitive impairments, long-term neurological issues and an increased risk of accidents at construction sites.
Reprinted courtesy of Jennifer Klose and Dr. Lauren Koth, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
Bel Air, Maryland, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC announced today that it has been recognized as a 2023 two-star President's Club Awards winner. Each year, GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, selects the most elite roofing contractors certified by GAF to receive its prestigious GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award. This annual recognition celebrates contractors that showcase exemplary efforts in high-quality service and leadership in the roofing industry across the country.
GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award winners are selected from an elite group of roofing contractors that must first demonstrate proper licensing (in states that require it), maintain insurance, a proven reputation, and a commitment to ongoing professional training. In addition, qualifying contractors must also have met the criteria to earn the designation of a GAF Master Elite® residential contractor.
About Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC:
Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC, based in Bel Air, Maryland, has been serving Harford County, Maryland and the Greater Baltimore area for over 20 years. Our mission is to deliver top-notch roofing solutions while prioritizing customer satisfaction and community engagement. As a GAF Master Elite® residential contractor, we uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship and professionalism in every project we undertake.
About GAF:
GAF, a Standard Industries company, is the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America. For more than 135 years, GAF has been trusted to protect what matters most for families, communities, and business owners with its innovative solutions and focus on customer service. GAF's leadership extends to its commitment to making a positive impact on its communities, industry, and planet. Learn more at www.GAF.com.
US construction firms boosted payrolls last month by the most since May 2022, helping the overall labor market nail down the strongest job growth in nearly a year.
Nearly 42% of the 39,000 increase in construction industry employment was due to the additions of nonresidential specialty trade contractors. However, payrolls growth also strengthened in the residential categories as well as heavy and civil engineering construction.
“Structural transformations in the economy, including replenished domestic supply chains, expanded data center demand and augmented infrastructure, are making it difficult for many project owners to wait for lower construction delivery costs,” Anirban Basu, chief economist at Associated Builders and Contractors, said in a statement.
As the construction sector embarks on another fiscal year, prioritizing health and safety is increasingly imperative. New industry-specific safety research and technology aims to help directors effectively optimize their financial resources and more precisely understand the economic impacts of safety strategies.
SHIFTING THE PARADIGM
The construction industry across America is evolving quickly—especially when it comes to cutting-edge technological solutions in software and hardware, aimed at reinforcing safety protocols and yielding both operational and economic advantages. However, implementing these advancements often hinges on showing a tangible economic benefit, an issue that an innovative new initiative seeks to tackle by merging insights from academia and industry professionals.
Reprinted courtesy of James Alexander, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
The $1.4-billion rebuild of Seattle’s Portage Bay Bridge to meet current seismic resiliency standards was awarded to Skanska by the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) last month.
ENR may be contacted at enr@enr.com
Despite contractors’ opposition, the U.S. Dept. of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register April 1 concerning nonemployee representatives during workplace safety inspections. The rule, effective May 31, allows employees to select a third party to represent them during Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspections.
Mr. Leggate may be contacted at leggatej@enr.com
The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Texas contractor Hurtado Construction Co. March 15 after an 18-year-old worker was killed in a trench collapse last September. OSHA proposed $257,811 in fines.
Mr. Leggate may be contacted at leggatej@enr.com
Continuing the rollout of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation has awarded $829.6 million to 80 road, bridge, transit and other projects to improve their ability to withstand floods, rising seas and other harmful effects of climate change. The winning projects are located in 37 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.
Mr. Ichniowski may be contacted at ichniowskit@enr.com
Tom Wait reports from the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where more residents are set to be affected by utility shutoffs this week, KCAL News reported.
The three wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres this month in Southern California are starting to get under control, but the firefight is far from over, KTLA 5 News reported.
Scientists studying the earth’s movements say California is especially at risk at significant shifting that could affect coastal communities. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing a massive $14 billion transformation ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, Megabuilds reports.
The line fire also threatens 35,000 homes and buildings. The area is now under a state of emergency, just 60 miles east of Los Angeles. NBC News’ Dana Griffin reports.
Cal Fire issued evacuation orders for people living near the Post Fire in unincorporated Riverside County, Gio Insignares of KCAL News reports.
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