Construction demand has grown steadily the past few years and, by most accounts, that trend will continue through 2015. So to meet the demand, firms across the country are prepared to bring in the necessary help — or at least as much help as there is to be had.
The Associated General Contractors of America recently released its 2015 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, in which it surveyed more than 900 firms throughout the United States. The results showed that “an overwhelming majority of firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2015,” according to the report.
Eighty percent of firms reported that they plan to expand their payrolls this year, which would be a relatively significant bump from last year, when only 57 percent of firms reported they added staff. Additionally, in 2014, 18 percent of firms reduced staff, while only 7 percent expect to reduce headcounts in 2015.
Despite that, a majority of contractors remain optimistic, particularly in terms of demand in private sector construction. The retail/warehouse/lodging segment saw the most optimism in the survey, with other nonresidential construction prospects, such as private office and the hospital sector, seeing “net positive” readings of 20 percent or more.
