Labor
Construction job openings surged in June, contractors face hiring difficulties
Construction job openings rose 36% year-over-year to 305,000 in June, but the hiring rate declined, indicating contractors face difficulties filling specific positions. Experts attribute this to skill mismatches, a wave of retirements, and tightened immigration policies.
Common Cognitive Misconceptions Among New Construction Managers
Promotion to a senior executive is a critical moment in one's career, but new leaders often overlook the importance of self-awareness and honest communication. This article uses real cases and practical frameworks to analyze how new leaders can build team trust by acknowledging their shortcomings and actively seeking feedback.
22-Year-Old Carpenter to Represent the US at WorldSkills Competition
22-year-old Tristan Coates will represent the US in the carpentry category at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in September 2026. He won the gold medal in the SkillsUSA National Carpentry Competition in 2022 at age 18 and currently runs his own construction company, Coates Builder Improvements.
H-1B visa program reaches FY 2027 cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that the H-1B visa program has reached its fiscal year 2027 cap. The program has a regular cap of 65,000 petitions, plus 20,000 exemptions for holders of advanced U.S. degrees. Although the Trump administration attempted to tighten policies by raising thresholds and imposing fees, some measures have faced legal challenges. Large employers such as Amazon and Apple still heavily use this visa.
The Vacation Dilemma for the New Generation in the Construction Industry: Gen Z Should Not Pay a Double Price for Time Off
Gen Z construction professionals face the dual challenge of financial pressure and colleague skepticism when taking time off. Despite companies offering generous PTO, young employees still need to plan ahead, make extra preparations, and even defend their reasons for taking leave. This article analyzes the industry culture behind this phenomenon through the real experiences of multiple practitioners and proposes measures employers can take to improve the situation.
U.S. labor market continues 'low hiring, low turnover' trend
The Conference Board's Employment Trends Index for June declined for the second consecutive month, indicating that the U.S. labor market remains in a 'low hiring, low turnover' state. The proportion of consumers who believe jobs are 'hard to get' rose to its highest level since January 2021, and initial jobless claims reached their highest monthly average of the year. Despite the overall slowdown in employment growth, demand for AI-related technical roles remains strong.
Federal Agency New Rules Focus on Tip Credit, Child Labor Restrictions, and EEO-1 Reporting Issues
Several U.S. federal agencies submitted regulatory updates to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday, publishing timelines for multiple proposed and final rules covering independent contractor classification, tip credit, minor work hours, pregnancy worker protections, EEO-1 reporting repeal, and H-1B visa reform. These actions are part of the Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal employment law compliance system, particularly in the areas of anti-discrimination and wage and hour regulations.
Large-scale projects are becoming accelerators for career advancement in the construction industry
As the number of large-scale projects in core markets grows as expected, the construction industry is undergoing profound transformation. These projects not only adopt new delivery methods such as prefabrication but also have a significant impact on talent development: both administrative roles and skilled trades gain leapfrog growth opportunities. DPR data shows that over 850 of its nearly 6,500 administrative employees have already been involved in large-scale projects; on the skilled trades side, a single project at peak times requires more than 6,000 skilled workers. Through internal training programs, union apprenticeship initiatives, and owner investments, the industry is accelerating the building of future-oriented career pathways.
Trump Nominates Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sanderlin to Officially Lead the U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. President Trump announced via social media on Monday his plan to nominate Keith Sanderlin as Secretary of Labor. Sanderlin previously served as Acting Secretary, succeeding Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who resigned amid an investigation. He advocates for employer-friendly regulations, self-audit programs, and AI workforce compliance, and if confirmed by the Senate, he will advance the President's agenda.
Construction job openings hit a 10-month high in May
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction job openings increased to 298,000 in May, the highest level since 2026, up 32,000 month-over-month and 76,000 year-over-year. However, economists point out that slowing hiring and rising layoffs indicate that overall labor demand has weakened, except for data center-related positions.