.jpeg?itok=6uFZXEBH)
The producer price index (PPI) for final demand in February, not seasonally adjusted, increased 0.3% from January and 2.8% year-over-year (y/y) from February 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Wednesday. AGC posted tables and an explanation focusing on construction prices and costs. Final demand includes goods, services and five types of nonresidential buildings that BLS says make up 31% of total construction.
Reshaping the Construction Industry
.jpeg?itok=4Vi_1nJG)
Candace Hernandez writes about the latest leading indicators and industry issues for Houston-area clients of FMI. She begins with good news: “As the year-end numbers come in, Houston’s economy continues to show that it is improving and accelerating.”
March 22, 2018
A much-anticipated report on threats to the Texas economy finds that inadequate spending on things like infrastructure and public education coupled with debates about socially divisive legislation like a “bathroom bill” and anti-immigration measures are putting the state’s way of life at risk.
March 21, 2018
The Trump-set March 5th deadline for Congress to do something about immigration reform has come and gone. The President offered a deal that made the hardline folks who voted for him really angry. “A deal was possible,” said Charles Foster, Chairman of Foster LLP, one of the largest global immigration firms in the US, and who has been an advisor to three presidents on immigration issues.
March 20, 2018
The industry has been told that the current skilled labor shortages will get worse as the economy improves, a generation of aging skilled workers retires and a new generation enters the industry. Key to that recruitment of a new skilled workforce is a well-defined and executed training program.To assist in training and development of high caliber training programs, the Construction Career Collaborative (C3) launched a Craft Training Endorsement Program in January 2018.
March 19, 2018
Nonfarm payroll employment in February increased by 313,000, seasonally adjusted, from January and by 2,281,000 (1.6%) year-over-year (y/y) since February 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday. The unemployment rate remained at a 17-year low of 4.1% for the fifth month in a row.
March 16, 2018
As the Associated Builders and Contractors of America (ABC) prepared to host the National Craft Championships in Long Beach, California on March 20-22, Elizabeth McPherson and Lauren Harrell spoke with four of the craft trainees and apprentices from the Houston area who will be competing in the event.
March 15, 2018
Now, the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees is taking a major step toward ensuring those careers are even more fulfilling and sustainable by enrolling their next big construction project in the Construction Career Collaborative, or C3. It is the first institution of higher education to do so.
March 14, 2018
Ballentine offers some encouragement and advice for those who are afraid that they might not have what it takes to become leaders in their careers and in their lives.
March 14, 2018
The summer job experience offers valuable lessons to our youth. Unfortunately, fewer young people today are getting that experience. Over the past decade, the summer youth employment rate has declined nearly 40 percent across the country. Right here in Houston, statistics show that close to 10,000 young people will be looking for paid work this summer. We need to give them that opportunity.
March 13, 2018
