North Carolina shed 21,500 construction jobs (11%) between April 2009 and 2010 according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Association officials noted that even though construction job losses were less widespread than in previous months, the industry is still shedding workers in most metropolitan areas.
“Construction employment is clearly stabilizing in a growing list of metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Unfortunately, too many construction workers are losing jobs in too many metro areas.”
Several NC metro areas recorded double–digit percentage losses in construction employment, including Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill (19%); Durham-Chapel Hill (14%); Greensboro-High Point (11%); Raeigh-Cary (10%; Winston Salem (10%).
The construction economist said there was little reason to expect broad gains in construction employment for the foreseeable future. “While the stimulus, military construction and home building should help, overall construction demand is likely to remain weak well into 2011 for most regions,” Simonson said.
Association officials added that without Congressional and White House action on overdue infrastructure programs, including transportation, aviation and water legislation, construction employment would continue to suffer.
View April 2010 metropolitan area construction employment figures Here.