Wisconsin’s construction unemployment decrease fourth best in nation

State has seen a two-percent drop, but a need for more trade workers

Summer is over but building construction is still big in Wisconsin. Especially in the commercial sector.

That shows the strength of a good state economy, says Nick Novak from Associated Builders and Contractors in Wisconsin.

“It’s also showing that we need more people to go into the skilled trades,” Novak said. “These are good paying jobs. Good family-supporting jobs. And there are a lot of jobs available right now and that’s why you see the unemployment rate dropping.”

Novak’s group says construction trade unemployment has dropped by nearly two percent in just the last year – the fourth best improvement in the nation over the same time period.

Which is kind of one of those good news, bad news situation – low unemployment numbers, but a need for more trade workers.

“We just need to get into the heads of younger folks and people that might be looking for a career change,” Novak said. “This is a great opportunity and the jobs are there.

“These are careers you can have your whole life. These are careers that can’t be outsourced. We’re hoping more people will take that route as we move forward.”