flexiblefullpage
Currently Reading

Construction-Related Jobs Among Fastest Growing Industries

Advertisement
billboard

Construction-Related Jobs Among Fastest Growing Industries

The housing market is continuing its trek toward recovery, and as a result, construction is up in the U.S. 


By By Sara Elliott, Associate Editor April 16, 2015
"Now hiring" sign to attract new employees.
This article first appeared in the PB April 2015 issue of Pro Builder.

According to investing education website Invest­opedia, six of the top 10 fastest-growing industries across the country are in the home-construction sector—not surprising considering that new-home construction is on the rise.

There was a 30 percent increase in annual profits in September for real estate and broker offices, while residential building construction reported a 5.3 percent increase in starts for privately owned homes between December 2013 and December 2014. Last year, there was an 8.8 percent rise in the number of single-family residential units that began construction, reaching more than 1 million starts.

Wood product manufacturing such as cabinets, doors, decks, stairs, flooring, and banisters is on the rise—increasing annually by $2 per ton since 2012, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.

Specifically, contractors who work on exteriors, laying foundations, and framing structures are in demand and theirs was the fourth fastest growing industry segment in 2014. 

Similarly, two other fast-growing construction industry segments include those of workers who install utility systems—water, communication, sewage, gas, and electricity—and specialty trade contractors, which includes carpenters, brick and stone masons, tile and marble setters, roofers, drywall installers, sheet-metal workers, and ceiling tile installers.

With the recent growth in residential construction, builders and contractors are now finding themselves short of labor. After the housing bubble collapsed in 2008, many construction workers lost their jobs and sought other career paths. 

In an NAHB survey completed in 2014, builders reported a serious shortage of framing crews, rough and finish carpenters, and bricklayers/masons. Additionally, builders said that they were experiencing at least some shortages among all construction employees, including rough carpenters, where there was a shortage of 52 percent. PB

Advertisement
leaderboard2

Related Stories

Human Resources

As the Labor Shortage Grows, Contractors Try New Ways to Recruit Workers

Recruiting and retaining skilled labor remains a top priority for most construction firms. But what job benefits are workers actually looking for?

Labor + Trade Relations

Construction Job Openings Fell in February

As the housing market cools, construction job openings are trending lower, but hiring and recruiting skilled laborers remains a top priority for most construction firms

Human Resources

It's Personal: Pilot Program Promotes Mental Health Awareness in Construction

The National Association of Home Builders partners with mental health advocate Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas on a strategic plan to promote mental health and suicide prevention

Advertisement
boombox2

Top Articles

Advertisement
boombox1
Advertisement
native1
halfpage2

More in Category

COVID-19 may be easing its grip on the U.S. after a disastrous two years, but lingering supply chain disruptions have builders holding onto their pandemic business tactics

An archive of NHQA-winning companies that represent home building's best in Total Quality Management

Don’t let the current hype about single-family B2R communities obscure the need to create long-term sustainability and asset value

Advertisement
native2
Advertisement
halfpage1

Create an account

By creating an account, you agree to Pro Builder's terms of service and privacy policy.


Daily Feed Newsletter

Get Pro Builder in your inbox

Each day, Pro Builder's editors assemble the latest breaking industry news, hottest trends, and most relevant research, delivered to your inbox.

Save the stories you care about

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.

The bookmark icon allows you to save any story to your account to read it later
Tap it once to save, and tap it again to unsave

It looks like you’re using an ad-blocker!

Pro Builder is an advertisting supported site and we noticed you have ad-blocking enabled in your browser. There are two ways you can keep reading:

Disable your ad-blocker
Disable now
Subscribe to Pro Builder
Subscribe
Already a member? Sign in
Become a Member

Subscribe to Pro Builder for unlimited access

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.