ABC: 49 states report decline in construction unemployment rate

A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that unemployment rates in construction dropped in 49 states during the month of April. According to the report, the number of construction jobs rose by 45,000 as year-to-date construction jobs are up 108,000.

Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Utah were the five states with the lowest construction unemployment rate, four of which also reported the lowest unemployment rates in April. The construction unemployment rate in Wyoming for April was 1.3 percent, followed by South Dakota (1.9 percent), Nebraska (2.3 percent), North Dakota (3 percent), and Utah (3.2 percent).

West Virginia, Georgia, California, Rhode Island, and Connecticut were the five states with the highest construction unemployment rates in April. West Virginia's unemployment rate for construction was 11.1 percent. Georgia (10.8 percent), California (10.6 percent), Rhode Island (10.5 percent), and Connecticut (10.3 percent) followed.

An improving economy and better weather were attributed to the decrease in unemployment rates among construction workers in April, Associated Builders and Contractors reported. The sectors that saw the greatest increase in construction spending included manufacturing, lodging, office, commercial, and multi-family.

In a recent survey conducted by Building Design+Construction, more than 75% of respondents indicated they currently use BIM or plan to use it. Respondents were also asked to comment on their experiences with BIM, what they liked and disliked about BIM, and what BIM-related advice they would give to their peers.