2017 Outlook Survey: Optimism Over Workloads,Anxiety About Finding Workers

摘要

NEARLY THREE OUT OF four construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2017, as contractors expect private and public sector demand to grow in all market segments, according to a survey by AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Despite general optimism about the volume and variety of work available, many firms report they remain worried about the availability of qualified workers. Among the 1,281 respondents who filled out the survey from early November to mid-December, 73 percent say they will increase their headcount in 2017. That hiring will only lead to modest increases in the overall size of firms, however. Two-thirds of the firms report their planned hiring will increase their total headcount by 25 percent or less, while only 6 percent report they will expand their headcount by more than 25 percent this year. One out of five respondents expect no change in employment size at their firms.