The landscape nationwide, however, was not as encouraging
By Kristena Hansen
Phoenix Business Journal
Arizona is still struggling with a construction labor shortage in the aftermath of the recession, but the latest federal data shows the local industry is making encouraging strides out of its years-long 
rut.
The metro Phoenix construction labor force added 5,600 jobs in July compared with a year earlier — the second-highest number of new jobs of added during that period, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled and released Tuesday by the Associated General Contractors of America. The annual job growth rate was 7 percent
The Los Angeles market saw the biggest growth in July with a boost of 7,700 new construction jobs, also a 7 percent gain, from a year ago. The Fort Worth, Texas area came in No. 2 with its addition of 6,200 construction jobs, or an 11 percent rise, during the same period, the report said.
Arizona’s construction labor force overall also grew by 8,200 jobs, or 7 percent, to a total 121,100 in July.
