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Six-figure construction jobs are going unfilled

Published  January 6, 2018 4:04pm EST
Money
FOX 29 Philadelphia

(FOX News) -- The construction sector is ready to boom in 2018, but there's just one problem: there aren't enough qualified workers.

A new report released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), found that 75% of contractors want to increase their headcount in 2018, thanks to the newly-approved tax reform bill, the government's push to rollback red tape, strong economic growth and a continuation of favorable sector trends.

However, 50% of companies reported having a difficult time filling both craft and salaried worker positions. Over the coming year, 53% of companies told the AGC that they expect to continue struggling to find qualified applicants. These challenges come despite the fact that 60% of firms reported increasing base pay to retain or recruit professionals and 36% provided incentives and bonuses toward the same end.

"The general population doesn't know how rewarding and profitable [construction jobs can be]," Stephen Mulva, director of the Construction Industry Institute (CII), told FOX Business. "Six-figure salaries are not uncommon."

Read more about this story at FOXNews.com.