.jpeg?itok=6uFZXEBH)
34 states add jobs; PPIs for new buildings and construction inputs each rise 0.8%Editor’s note: Construction Citizen is proud to partner with AGC America to bring you AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson's Data DIGest. Check back each week to get Ken's expert analysis of what's happening in our industry.Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose in 34 states from November 2015 to November 2016, declined in 14 states, and held steady in Montana, Nebraska and the District of Columbia, an AGC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released today showed. Nevada led in percentage gain (12%, 8,400 jobs), followed by Iowa (10%, 8,300), Washington (9.4%, 16,500), Oregon (8.4%, 7,000) and Colorado (8.3%, 12,800). The most jobs added were again in California (35,100 jobs, 4.7%), Florida (23,200, 5.3%), Washington and Colorado. Kansas again had the steepest percentage loss (-5.9%, -3,600), followed by Wyoming (-5.7%, -1,300), Alabama (-4.4%, -3,600), Connecticut (-3.8%, -2,200), Maine (-3.7%, -2,200) and Kentucky (-2.9%, -2,200). New York lost the most jobs (-6,400, -1.7%), followed by Alabama and Kansas, then Kentucky and Connecticut. For the month, employment rose in 29 states and D.C., and shrank in 21 states. (AGC's rankings are based on seasonally adjusted data, which in D.C. and six states is available only for construction, mining and logging combined.)The producer price index (PPI) for final demand in November, not seasonally adjusted, increased 0.1% from October and 1.3% year-over-year (y/y) from November 2015, the BLS reported on Wednesday. AGC posted tables and an explanation focusing on construction prices and costs.
Reshaping the Construction Industry
.jpeg?itok=4Vi_1nJG)
Business Insider’s Tech writer Dana Varinsky posted 13 of the most stunning twisted towers around the world that visually documents some of the most interesting towers that have been built after “famed architect Santiago Calatrava designed the building known as the Turning Torso, (and) ushered in a new era of twisted designs.”The buildings are visually striking statements of the visual design and are bold statements of the structural engineers and contractors who were able to make those designs a reality.It will be interesting to hear the “twisted tales” of the users and residents of those twisted towers over the next decade as they become part of the landscape. It will be interesting to see how the buildings themselves age as the complex structural elements respond to the wind, rain and other elements.They are striking and visually interesting. We offer our kudos to the architects, engineers and contractors for their outstanding work. Special thanks to the owners and investors who were willing to take a chance on new structural designs that have made the built environment in cities around the world much more interesting than ever before.
December 16, 2016
The following article is a guest piece by Jose Garza, Executive Director of Workers Defense Project:Today, the middle class is out of reach for too many men and women working in the Texas construction industry.That hasn’t always been the case.After serving in the Pacific during World War II, my grandfather, Saul, returned to Texas in 1945 hopeful and optimistic about the future. He got his start working for a general contractor in San Antonio where he picked up the skills that would lay the foundation for the life that he and his family hoped to build.Eventually, through his hard work and good fortune, he was hired by the Texas Highway Department. There, he earned good wages and had access to benefits that allowed him to raise eight children and put several of them through college.
December 15, 2016
Maybe we are seeing the early stages of a new era of technology from drones to track progress, to VR to help designers show owners what their new space will be like, and for the building industry to adapt those technologies to improve productivity on their projects.
December 14, 2016
As construction companies continue to look for ways to grow a sustainable workforce whose craft professionals are well trained in skilled craft trades as well as in essential safety procedures, TEXO has developed an initiative to help commercial construction companies achieve the latter. TEXO is a large trade association of builders in the Dallas/Fort Worth region of Texas, and Safety First is a safety training course which companies can send employees to for an interactive orientation in how to keep themselves and others safe on jobsites. Classes are offered in either English or Spanish, and participants must be pre-registered as the classes usually fill up in advance and are limited to approximately 40 students each.Todd Holtz, Vice President of Safety at TEXO, had this to say about the program:“TEXO’s Safety First program is a hands-on, interactive safety orientation for commercial construction employees. In place since 2013 and endorsed by industry leaders in the field of construction safety, participants have the opportunity to handle and wear the PPE they are expected to use on a jobsite, in addition to learning about the safe use of tools in their trade.
December 13, 2016
Employment hits eight-year high in November; spending, job openings rise in OctoberEditor’s note: Construction Citizen is proud to partner with AGC America to bring you AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson's Data DIGest. Check back each week to get Ken's expert analysis of what's happening in our industry.Help AGC generate a comprehensive construction business outlook for 2017 by taking our survey. Nonfarm payroll employment in November increased by 178,000, seasonally adjusted, from October and by 2,343,000 (1.6%) year-over-year (y/y), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on December 2. The unemployment rate (4.6%) decreased from 4.9% in October. Construction employment (6,704,000) increased by 19,000 from October and by 155,000 (2.4%) over 12 months to the highest level since November 2008. Residential construction employment (residential building and specialty trade contractors) rose by 19,600 for the month and 120,400 (4.8%) y/y.
December 12, 2016
As part of Fox’s series on Trump’s first 100 days, Stan Marek talks to reporter Casey Stegall about immigration reform, saying that the best border security happens at the job site.
December 09, 2016
The following article originally appeared in the December newsletter to clients of Kiley Advisors, LLC. Reprinted with permission.I lost another hero. Dr. Denton Cooley died on November 18th 2016; he was 96. He was an incredible human being in addition to being a brilliant heart surgeon. I worked for him for 10 years, writing news releases and an occasional speech. He has the same qualities that great contractors do: a great respect for superior craft skill and the ability to analyze and take risks – in his case to save lives.He was a superb technical surgeon, gifted with incredible speed, a true Master Craftsman. Recognized heart surgeons from around the world would “scrub in” to watch him. Dr. Christian Barnard, another high-profile heart pioneer, called Cooley’s surgery “the most beautiful he had ever seen.” Cooley and his team have done the most open heart surgeries in the world.He was the “Captain of the Ship” in the OR; he was totally responsible for the patient, the highest authority, and he would take calculated risks to save patients, many times moving the medical frontier forward.
December 08, 2016
A ceremony held at the recently completed C3 project for the Greater Houston Partnership in Partnership Tower has the potential to impact the construction workforce in the Houston region for decades to come.The ceremony honored the inaugural class of 17 graduates of Generation Houston, a collaboration of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Upskill Houston, United Way, and Generation, a 501(c)(3) social initiative sponsored by McKinsey & Company and other major sponsors.The four week, fast track program was aimed at individuals who express an interest in the construction industry as a career and offers them training in life, safety, social and career skills. The United Way Thrive program provides the candidates and the screening of the individuals who are eligible for the training. McKinsey’s Generation provides the instruction.
December 06, 2016
