Construction employment increased in 155 out of 337 metro areas in the past year, from March 2011 and March 2012. However, employment also decreased in 134 areas, staying level in 48. The Associated General Contractors of America attributed the decrease in construction employment compared to February to “disruptions to typical hiring patterns caused by weather.”

“While last March firms were getting a late start to the construction season because the winter was so cold, this year’s warm winter allowed many firms to do their typical spring hiring in February,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “It is too early to tell whether the hiring momentum within construction is slowing down or just pausing to let contractors catch up with the weather.”

AGC officials said many construction firms in the public sector are uncertain about the future as public spending continues being cut at all levels of government. This in turn causes construction firms to hold back on hiring workers.

“When it comes to politicians talking about the need to support private sector job creation, construction firms could benefit from less rhetoric and more action,” said the association’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr.

Source: Associated General Contractors of America