Construction employment grew in 231, or 65%, of 358 metro areas between October 2018 and October 2019, declined in 69 and was unchanged in 58, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.
In Louisiana, construction employment is down 7% year over year, with the Baton Rouge area specifically losing 4%, or 2,500 construction jobs, compared to October 2018. The latest data reflects what David Helveston, president of ABC Pelican, has called an “industrial construction employment lull.”
AGC officials say in a news release that hourly craftworker positions remain difficult to fill despite the widespread job gains, and they urge federal officials to promote more workplace-based immigration, along with career and technical education.
The Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, metro area added the most construction jobs during the past year, at 14,300 jobs, or 10%.
The largest number of job losses occurred in New York City, which lost 6,200 jobs, or 4%, the same percentage that Baton Rouge lost. See the full report.
