R.I. 10th highest in U.S. for construction employment growth in April

RHODE ISLAND was 10th highest in the nation for 7.2 percent construction employment growth in April compared with April 2015, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. / COURTESY ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA
RHODE ISLAND was 10th highest in the nation for 7.2 percent construction employment growth in April compared with April 2015, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. / COURTESY ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island had a 7.2 percent year-over-year increase in construction employment in April, placing it 10th highest overall in the nation, the Associated General Contractors of America said Friday.
Construction employment totaled 17,900 in April compared with 16,700 in April 2015.
The Ocean State was among 42 states and the District of Columbia that added construction jobs over the year.
California added the most construction jobs (49,800) between April and April 2015. Other states adding a large number of new construction jobs for the past 12 months include Florida (30,100) and Massachusetts (13,900).

Hawaii added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (18.4 percent), followed by Iowa (13.5 percent), and Massachusetts and Nevada (10.2 percent each).

North Dakota lost the highest percent and total number of construction jobs (-12.9 percent, -4,600 jobs). Construction employment was unchanged for the year in New Mexico and Mississippi.

Association officials said they expect the demand for construction projects to continue, and that firms throughout the country will continue to hire.

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The association said it recently launched a new online site, AGC Career Center, which allows firms to find qualified workers who are looking for jobs.
“As spending on projects continues to grow during the busy summer construction season, more firms will be looking to add qualified workers,” Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO, said in a statement. “With few students getting steered into construction careers, we want to make it as easy as possible for contractors to connect with available workers from across the country.”

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