Construction employment increased in 244, or 68 percent, of 358 metro areas between December 2023 and December 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials cautioned, however, that most firms reported having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to hire even before the new Trump administration began to curtail work authorizations, among other measures.
“Construction firms are doing all they can to recruit and retain as many workers as possible to keep pace with demand,” said Jeffrey Shoaf the association’s chief executive officer. “But it is hard when the government discourages students from pursuing those careers and won’t let many people enter the country to lawfully work in construction but wants to build a lot of things.”
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