The Construction Industry Outlook for 2024: Another Good Year
The construction industry saw record growth in 2023.
According to The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Consensus Construction Forecast Panel, the nonresidential construction sector grew by nearly 20 percent this year. “That pace of growth hasn’t been seen since the construction boom years leading up to the Great Recession,” writes AIA Chief Economist Dr. Kermit Baker.
While that level of expansion isn’t expected to last through 2024, construction executives are confident the industry will continue to grow and add jobs over the next year. More than 83 percent of respondents to Engineering News Record’s (ENR) survey on confidence in the construction industry see either a stable or improving market over the next 12 to 18 months.
The Construction Industry Outlook is Positive: Will Add Jobs in 2024
There is an ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry. According to data reported in July by ABC, there are 400,000 unfilled jobs in the sector. The construction demand boom of the past year along with workers retiring at a faster rate than new workers entering the industry has created a vacuum of skilled workers in the industry.
It’s a problem that’s not going to be resolved anytime soon, either, says Basu, in a CNBC article.
In fact, filling labor gaps will continue to be a challenge for the industry in 2024 as it is expected to continue to add new jobs on top of the large number of already unfilled roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction sector is expected to have the largest increase in employment than any other sector, adding 790,400 jobs through 2024.
While that’s good news for trade contractors, the industry as a whole, and the economy, it’s also causing some panic as workers become more difficult to find. But there are things your company can do to help fill those gaps.
Consider ways to do more with the people you already have. By investing in reskilling and upskilling opportunities, you can plug skills gaps with current employees. You should also reach out to local high schools and vocational schools to connect with students and show them the path towards a rewarding career in the construction trades.
“It would also be helpful to present the industry as what it is — not just guys in hard hats wielding big tools, but a sector of many differently skilled, well-paid jobs that offers satisfying careers,” write McKinsey & Company’s Garo Hovnanian and Adi Kumar.
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The Benefits of Chip Seal
Lightweight aggregate produced by Arcosa Lightweight is the perfect product for any chip seal project.
Just click on the play button to watch a short video about the benefits of Chip Seal.
Used extensively by DOT contractors in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and beyond, they find Arcosa Lightweight aggregate is the perfect solution to maintain roads for a lower cost.
By extending the time between asphalt overlays, applying a chip seal aggregate from Arcosa Lightweight results in lower costs over the long term.
An Arcosa Lightweight aggregate chip seal is about one fourth to one fifth the cost of a conventional asphalt overlay and extends the life of asphalt pavement by 5 to 7 years.
Arcosa Lightweight controls the entire process and guarantees strict quality control through every step of the process.
Arcosa owns and operates shale or clay mines spread across the US. Each location has abundant reserves to meet demand for many decades to come.”
After mining, the raw material is transported to a crusher ensuring the correct size is achieved prior to superheating in the kiln.
The superheating process expands the dense raw material into a hard, cured, lightweight aggregate screened and sized, perfect for chip seal applications.
When bonded to asphalt, structural lightweight aggregate chip seal creates a significantly improved asphalt surface treatment that is more economical and has longer lasting friction than conventional aggregates.
Wet or dry, road surfaces using Arcosa Lightweight aggregate provide superior skid resistance that is maintained throughout the surface life.
And lightweight aggregate does not polish as it wears.
Because it is light in weight there are trucking and handling cost advantages to the contractor.
Also, windshield damage and damage to headlights, and paint caused by “flying” stones is virtually eliminated with Arcosa Lightweight aggregate, thus avoiding costly insurance claims and motorist complaints.
Other benefits by using Arcosa Lightweight aggregate include extended life of existing asphalt pavement and safety.
No other chip seal aggregate option offers the same comprehensive list of features and benefits like aggregate from Arcosa Lightweight.
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