By Corina Vanek | Arizona Daily Sun
Economic recovery after the recession has brought an increased volume of work to construction companies and general contractors, but has also highlighted a growing problem: a shortage of qualified workers in the building trades.
According to a survey administered by the Associated General Contractors of America, 75 percent of respondents in Arizona said they are having a hard time filling some hourly craft positions, which can include carpenters, masons, roofers and other skilled laborers.
The most common position companies reported having trouble filling was equipment operators, including crane and heavy equipment operators. Superintendents, laborers and mechanics were second, third and fourth most common, respectively.
