Tag: construction industry: Page 10

Roadbuilding

Construction industry avoids list of 10 worst jobs for the future

When I saw a report in Kiplinger on the worst jobs for the future, I had to take a look. The good news is the construction industry isn’t on this list. I’m sure it has felt like the industry is one of the worst, especially as unemployment hit more than 20 percent during the height […]

December 3, 2013

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3: Be Fair

Treating everyone fairly and treating everyone equally isn’t the same thing. If you treat everyone exactly the same, they’ll think you don’t care about them. Have an individualized approach to your employees, and clearly explain decisions you make that affect them. They’ll respect you for it.   < STEP 2           […]

November 12, 2013

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2: Be Open and Honest

Although it’s your company, you should want your employees to be interested and invested in the well-being of the firm. They’re never going to be able to do that unless you tell them what’s going on. Instituting transparency is a direct path to gaining the loyalty and trust of your people. If they feel they […]

November 12, 2013

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1: Have the “Right” People

Attracting and retaining people isn’t enough. You have to hire and keep people who are a good fit for the type of company you want to have. No matter how skilled the employees, sometimes their demeanor or attitude simply derails what you’re trying to accomplish. < INTRO                 […]

November 12, 2013

Business

3 culture-changing steps contractors can take to combat the skilled worker shortage

There’s been no shortage of attention lately to the skilled worker shortage. Although industry advocates like Mike Rowe have been beating the drum for a while, now everyone is catching on—analyzing what happened and trying to find ways to attract new workers to the trade. Some contractors have even created their own courses to train […]

November 12, 2013

Business

Construction industry adds 11k jobs in October, though unemployment rate ticks back up

Despite several predictions that the government shutdown would lead to job decreases, the construction industry and U.S. economy as a whole had a positive month of job growth in October. The construction industry added 11,000 jobs during October. October’s gains marked the fifth consecutive month of job growth. The October gains were a bit more […]

November 8, 2013

Business

Forbes: Sany, fellow Chinese equipment makers’ move into foreign markets “isn’t working”

It’s been a rough year for Sany. Back in January, despite the fact that a decade-long infrastructure boom in China had already come to a crashing halt, equipment manufacturer Sany had high hopes for its expansion into the U.S. and other foreign markets. The Chinese company told of its ambition to over take Komatsu and […]

November 7, 2013

Workforce

Washington town hosts Construction Career Day to give students hands-on introduction to the industry

We’re always happy to hear about folks who are being proactive when it comes to the shortage of skilled workers facing contractors across the country, and one of the best ways to do that is get high school students excited about the opportunities the construction industry has to offer. In Kennewick, Washington more than 500 […]

October 16, 2013

Business

Cleveland construction on the rebound thanks to university, health care spending

For the first time in many years, contractors in the Cleveland metro area and the Northeast Ohio region are optimistic, according to a report from Crain’s Business. Two common reasons construction company representatives shared with the publication for the rebound were increased construction spending by universities and hospitals. And though these companies are optimistic that […]

October 10, 2013

Business

AGC: 74% of U.S. construction firms having trouble finding skilled workers; most expect trend to continue

A recent survey done by Associated General Contractors of America found that 74 percent of construction companies are having trouble finding skilled workers. The most frequently reported positions contractors are having trouble filling include carpenters, equipment operators and laborers, according to the survey. Meanwhile, 53 percent of responding contractors reported having a hard time filling […]

September 5, 2013

Business

Construction spending up 0.6% in July to highest mark since June 2009

Construction spending in the U.S. rose 0.6 percent in July despite more decreases in government spending, according to preliminary data from the Commerce Department. Total construction spending rose to $900.8 billion in July thanks to gains in both housing and nonresidential projects. That’s the highest spending total since June 2009 and bests the July 2012 […]

September 3, 2013

Workforce

The construction industry now accounts for the most U.S. workplace deaths thanks to a 5% increase in 2012

With 775 fatal injuries in 2012, private construction rose to the top of all U.S. industries in the number of workplace deaths, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Deaths in the construction industry were up 5 percent from 2011—the first increase after five consecutive years of declines. Since 2006, construction deaths […]

August 26, 2013