Construction employment throughout Connecticut is up by significant amounts across the state, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Fairfield County and the Greater New Haven area saw the biggest increases, of 13 and 14 percent respectively, compared to January 2018. In January the former had 12,500 residents working in construction while the latter had 10,700. The measure is typically seen as an indicator of the strength of a local economy.

Smaller gains were recorded in the Hartford area – 4 percent year-over-year growth and a total employment of 18,100 in January – the New London area – 8 percent growth and a total employment of 3,900 – and the Waterbury area –  12 percent growth and a total employment of 2,900.

Nationally, construction employment grew in 275, or 76 percent, out of 358 metro areas between January 2018 and January 2019, declined in 39 (11 percent) and was unchanged in 44. Association officials said demand for construction in most parts of the country appears to be outstripping the supply of qualified workers to hire.

“While construction hiring remained very widespread through January, industry employment gains nationally slowed in February—possibly an indication that the pool of qualified workers has dried up in many markets,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “It will be hard to match this level of employment gains when the unemployment rate is setting new lows in much of the nation and job openings in construction are at all-time highs.”

Association officials said that the number of unemployed construction workers is at a series low and urged federal officials to boost investments in career and technical education. They warned that firms may not be able to keep pace with growing demand for construction unless more young adults are exposed to, and consider pursuing, high-paying careers in construction.

“Contractors in most parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to keep pace with strong, and growing, demand for construction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Expanding the number of high school programs that expose students to the fact construction is a rewarding career path will put more young adults into high-paying construction jobs.”