Construction employment remained relatively stagnant between July 2010 and July 2011 and during the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of state employment data released by the Labor Department.
“When it comes to construction employment, for every state adding jobs there is another one shedding just as many or more,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The fact that this industry is breaking even when it comes to construction employment is little comfort for many unemployed construction workers.”
North Carolina was among the 23 states that lost construction jobs during the past 12 months. Construction employment fell by 6,300 jobs (-3.6%). South Carolina lost 800 construction jobs (0.1%) in the same period.
North Carolina lost 200 (0.1%) construction jobs between June and July. South Carolina construction employment remained relatively the same.
Association officials noted that contractors around the country were reporting that they have been forced to reduce staff because of cutbacks in many federally funded construction projects. Read More.