R.I. sees modest construction employment growth in August

RHODE ISLAND WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for construction job growth in the 12-month period through August, with a 1.8 percent increase. / COURTESY ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA
RHODE ISLAND WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for construction job growth in the 12-month period through August, with a 1.8 percent increase. / COURTESY ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA

PROVIDENCE – The construction industry in Rhode Island ranked 28th in nation for year-over-year employment growth, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The Ocean State added 300 jobs from August 2015 through last month, a 1.8 percent increase, ranking it No. 28 in the nation on a percentage basis. Overall 36 states added construction jobs in that time period, with the largest amount coming in California, 29,300, which amounted to a 4 percent increase. The highest percentage of jobs added came in Iowa, at 18.7 percent (14,400 jobs).
New England states saw a variety of changes over the year. Massachusetts led the region, with an 8.4 percent increase (11,700 jobs), followed by New Hampshire (4.1 percent and 1,000 jobs) and Vermont (3.3 percent, 500 jobs). Connecticut saw a job loss (-2.8 percent, -1,600 jobs), while Maine ranked 47th in the nation, with a construction job loss of 5.3 percent (1,400 jobs).
Rhode Island saw a smaller increase in construction employment from July to August, adding 100 jobs, a gain of 0.6 percent.
“The construction market has cooled off in recent months but continues to outperform the overall economy in most states, with solid year-over-year job gains,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association.
He added a consistent refrain from the construction industry, saying that despite some slowing in publicly supported construction, “contractors in many states say they would be hiring more employees if they could find enough qualified workers.”

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