Hammer time: US construction index at
record high, more work than workers
Washington Examiner,
by
Paul Bedard
Original Article
Posted By: earlybird,
9/22/2019 9:36:22 AM
Optimism in the U.S. construction industry has reached a record high, with builders forced to push off work because finding help is difficult due to the historic unemployment low.
The new Commercial Construction Index, compiled by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and USG Corp., climbed to a record high in the third quarter, with 77% of commercial contractors optimistic about their future.The index,(Snip) also found that “half of all contractors” expect higher revenue and the expectations for bigger profits next year also surged.
“Contractors are thinking about the future and are optimistic about what’s ahead,” said Christopher Griffin, CEO of USG Corporation.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
MOBeef4u 9/22/2019 9:53:34 AM (No. 186296)
Oh, I guess all these contractors are unaware of the looming recession the nation is facing. Hmmm, who to believe.
3 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Califedup 9/22/2019 9:59:54 AM (No. 186306)
No mention of course that a majority of construction jobs are being filled by illegal aliens who work for extremely low wages, many are paid in cash, and the end result is lower quality, unsafe work spaces, and the cold truth is that all of these illegals are depressing construction wages and taking jobs away from American citizens especially entry level jobs for young Americans.
How come ICE isn't raiding construction sites?
Don't believe it? Visit any construction site in the USA.
4 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
chance_232 9/22/2019 10:09:27 AM (No. 186314)
I cant speak to the rest of the country, but here in Jacksonville FL, we are swamped. We have more work than people to do the work. Our sub-contractors are likewise swamped. Our backlog got to the point where we had to more than double our installation department had to be more than doubled. With the labor market what it is, it took us 9 months to fill 4 positions.
4 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
DVC 9/22/2019 10:23:32 AM (No. 186328)
The Trump economy, surging ahead, unlike the Democrat economies of the last 40 years.
6 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
earlybird 9/22/2019 11:08:30 AM (No. 186384)
Between the low unemployment numbers and the increasing construction, plus the point of this and other articles that there are not enough skilled workers to fill available jobs, it wold appear that that illegal aliens taking the jobs canard may not fly now in the construction industry.
2 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
bpl40 9/22/2019 11:27:17 AM (No. 186401)
All this under "the worst President in US history".
5 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
padiva 9/22/2019 12:05:31 PM (No. 186434)
BO didn't build that.
4 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
DVC 9/22/2019 12:21:47 PM (No. 186458)
#5, the way this will work is that the wages offered for skilled workmen will increase and more young American men will decide to go into the construction trades because they will be able to make a better living. THAT will solve the problem, NOT importing more Mexicans and Guatemalans to keep wages low.
1 person likes this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
ZeldaFitzg 9/22/2019 12:59:59 PM (No. 186499)
Vocational Building Trades classes need to be brought back to high schools. The Building Trades students in the high school my sons attended built a complete house every year, and the house was then sold to help finance the class for the next year.
2 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
earlybird 9/22/2019 4:24:40 PM (No. 186593)
Building Construction Program at Pasadena (CA) Community College….has been there for many decades, and they built an entire house each year…
The curriculum prepares students for working in the construction industry. The program qualifies graduates to seek employment as apprentice carpenters and journey-level carpenters. Students may also complete at least two years’ experience which can be applied towards the required four years’ experience needed to qualify for a Class “B” State of California Contractors License.
Instruction is offered in all phases of construction from demolition of an existing structure to grading of land to, ultimately, a turn-key situation. Studies include safety, materials of construction, mathematics, print reading, builders level and transit, site work, foundation and floors, rough framing, roof framing, stair building, exterior finish, and interior finish.
Additional studies included are timber construction, steel stud construction, grading of land, plumbing, HVAC, and various other specialty items that vary from project to project. The culminating student experience is the building of a single family dwelling. (emphasis added)
https://pasadena.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/certificates-of-achievement/building-construction.php
I went to this school years ago … it is known for its “certificate programs” like this one, dental hygiene, and others. Link to full list below. Graduates are in high demand.
https://pasadena.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/certificates-of-achievement/index.php
This has aways made more sense than offering strictly college preparatory programs...
0 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
earlybird 9/22/2019 4:25:47 PM (No. 186594)
PS, I was on the college prep track, not a certificate track, but many fine students took the latter path.
0 people like this.
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Article dated September 17, 2019, posted with Staff permission.