A surge in construction jobs, particularly for specialty trades, was a major contributor to job growth in February, according to the Construction Employers of America (CEA).
Of the 235,000 jobs created in February, 25 percent were in the construction industry, the group said. The specialty construction trades drove the increase in construction employment, accounting for more than 62 percent of the job growth in the construction industry, CEA said.
“The specialty construction sector continues to demonstrate the vital role it plays in America’s economic resurgence and is, once again, leading employment gains in the construction industry,” Jack Jacobson, spokesperson for CEA, said. “The skilled, blue collar jobs created in the specialty construction industry are exactly what’s needed to spur sustained economic growth across the country.”
Over the past twelve months, construction employment has grown by 3.3 percent, putting 219,000 construction employees to work. Nationally, construction employment now accounts for 6.88 million jobs, 4.4 million of which are in specialty trade construction. Specialty trade contractors have added 165,600 jobs in the past twelve months.
CEA is a coalition of several national construction specialty contracting associations, including the National Electrical Contractors Association, International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, FCA International, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, the Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance, and The Association of Union Constructors.