Construction jobless rate shrinks in April

The construction industry unemployment rate in the U.S. fell to 13.2 percent in April.

That's down from 14.7 percent in March and 14.5 percent in April 2012, according to a news release from Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., a national trade association representing approximately 22,000 merit shop firms.

Still, the industry lost 6,000 jobs last month, movement ABC officials said was likely due to seasonality rather than underlying market condition.

The nonresidential building sector lost 4,800 jobs during the month, though it added 17,700 during the past year. Similarly, nonresidential specialty trade contractor employment dropped by 11,100 jobs last month but is up by 39,000 positions compared to the same time last year, according to the release.

One area offsetting the April decreases was a gain in residential specialty trade contractors, at 7,100 jobs.

“(The) report highlights the fact that different forms of economic activity require different levels of confidence,” ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said in the release. “Leading the way in job creation in April were segments such as leisure/hospitality and retail trade. It doesn’t take that much confidence to take a short cruise or eat at a restaurant; however, it takes a considerable level of confidence to move forward with a significant construction project, and that level of confidence is still lacking."[[In-content Ad]]