This information is from the United States Department of Labor
Construction is the only goods-producing sector in which employment is projected to grow
Construction employs approximately 6.9 million individuals annually
The value of construction in '03 equaled $916 billion, which represents 8% of the US gross domestic product (GDP)
From June '03 to June '04 construction added 193,000 employees - nearly 1 out of 7 new non-farming jobs
Occupation
Total Projected Job Openings Through 2012
Predicted Growth Through 2012
All Construction Occupations
2,548,000
15%
Construction Supervisors/Managers
197,000
14.1%
Brickmasons/Stonemasons
48,000
14.2%
Carpenters
319,000
10.1%
Cement Masons/Concrete Finishers
86,000
25.7%
Construction Craft Laborers
258,000
14.2%
Construction Equipment Operators
144,000
10.7%
Electricians
285,000
23.4%
Painters/Paperhangers
124,000
23.4%
Plumbers/Pipefitters/Steamfitters
225,000
18.0%
Sheet Metal Workers
90,000
19.8%
Ironworkers
28,000
15.9%
Job Market
Shortage of qualified personnel
Aging work force (avg. 47 yrs. old)
Within next 10 yrs. 58.4% of jobs in US will be construction related
Construction industry is the second largest employer in US
Average starting pay scales for apprentices is between $11 and $15 per hour. They are required by Federal law to receive a raise at least once a year. Most get a raise every six months. 75% of apprentices are in programs that provide health care and pension benefits. These jobs are NOT for the "size three hat, size 18 collar" types. These are excellent career positions with very good pay and benefits. There is a very favorable career ladder for those who wish to grow and expand their talents.
Arizona is growing and building at a rate far above most states, so opportunities here are excellent. According to the Department of Labor, half of all construction workers will leave the field by 2012. Opportunities abound.
Demand for skilled workers is so great that the number of apprentices in Arizona has more than doubled in the last five years, according to the Arizona Department of Commerce Apprenticeship Services Office.
