Construction workforce shortages are affecting nearly all construction firms, undermining the industry’s ability to complete projects on schedule and threatening the success of new federal investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk.

The Associated General Contractors of America is launching a new effort to combat high suicide rates and improve mental health among the industry’s workers, the trade group announced today. The new effort, which the association is launching as part of its support for Suicide Prevention Month, is designed to address the high rate of suicide among construction workers.

Construction employment in July continued to trail pre-pandemic levels in 15 states as contractors struggled to find qualified workers to fill openings, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today.

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in response to the release of new federal rules that will soon require procurement officials to impose project labor agreements for federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more.

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction fell 1.3% last month, while contractors’ bid prices rose 5.4%, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials noted that, despite the monthly decline, materials prices remain high and the availability of certain key materials is erratic.

Construction firms added 32,000 jobs in July as the sector’s unemployment rate fell to 3.5% and the number of unfilled construction positions approached record levels, according to an analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Construction employment fell in 61 and was unchanged in another 51 out of 358 metro areas between June 2021 and June 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that employment was falling or stagnant in nearly one-third of metro areas at a time when many construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire and cope with supply chain challenges and rising materials prices.

Total construction spending fell by 1.1% in June as spending on new housing and nonresidential projects declined compared to May, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released today of federal spending data. Association officials said that the construction spending figures are being impacted as materials and labor shortages are slowing schedules and increasing the cost of construction.

Construction employment in June continued to trail pre-pandemic levels in more than one-third of the states despite record job openings, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC.

Recent increases drove up prices of diesel fuel, building and paving materials, outweighing decreases in metals and lumber costs, while producers have implemented or announced further price hikes.