Construction spending slid 0.3 percent from June to July, pulled down by declines in private residential and nonresidential construction, according to an analysis of a new government report that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials said their newly released workforce survey indicates the decreases are attributable in part to a shortage of skilled workers, and they called on the federal government to increase support for programs to prepare more workers for construction careers.
鈥淣early all spending categories show increases from a year ago but have fluctuated in recent months,鈥 said Ken Simonson, the association鈥檚 chief economist. 鈥淥ur workforce survey suggests this pattern is due in part to a worsening shortage of qualified workers.鈥
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