
Construction employment increased in 220, or 61%, of 358 metro areas in the past year, held steady in 62 areas, and declined in 76 areas.
Construction employment increased in three-fifths of metro areas between August 2015 and August 2016 — the smallest share in nearly three and a half years — as contractors in many areas report difficulty in finding qualified workers, according to a new Associated General Contractors of America analysis of federal employment data. Association officials said the new data underscores the need to make it easier for school officials to set up programs that teach skills like construction.