By Phil Riske, managing editor | Rose Laws Group Reporter
As Rose Law Group Reporter reported on Monday most Arizona contractors expressed finding skilled workers is still and will continue to be a problem. The Associated General Contractors of America on Wednesday reported construction employment expanded in 192 metro areas, declined in 84 and was stagnant in 63 between December 2012 and December 2013.
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale experienced the largest drop in total construction employment compared to its prior, December 2006, peak (-81,300 jobs) while Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Ariz. experienced the largest percentage decline compared to its December 2005 peak (-76 percent).
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif. added the largest number of construction jobs in the past year (11,200 jobs, 15 percent); followed by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga. (8,400 jobs, 10 percent); San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif. (5,700 jobs, 10 percent) and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (5,700 jobs, 11 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.V. (31 percent, 500 jobs); Lake Charles, La. (28 percent, 2,700 jobs) and Fargo, N.D.-Minn. (25 percent, 1,800 jobs).
