WorldWide Drilling Resource

12 AUGUST 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Construction Employment on the Rise Adapted from Information by the Associated General Contractors of America According to a recent analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors ofAmerica, construc- tion employment increased by 3.4% in May 2013, helping the industry’s unem- ployment reach its lowest May level since May 2008. Officials stated this slight but posi- tive report emphasizes the need to address the potential shortage of skilled workers. “Although the monthly job gain in May was modest, both residential and nonresidential construction have been adding workers at roughly double the rate of the overall economy in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the associ- ation's chief economist. “At the same time, formerly unemployed construction workers are finding jobs in other sectors, retiring, or going back to school. These conditions may lead abruptly to worker shortages in parts of the industry, such as welders and pipefitters.” Here are some of the latest statis- tics from the report; from May 2012 through May 2013: $ Unemployment rate for workers who last worked in construction dropped from 14.2% to 10.8%. $ Residential building and specialty trade contractors added 4.6% more workers. $ Nonresidential building, special- ty trade, as well as heavy and civil engineering construction firms grew 3.7%. $ Architectural and engineering services employers added 2.1% staff members to their workforce. Association officials say there is still time to avoid some of the future worker shortages, which will occur if the industry continues to add jobs over the coming months. They urged education officials to rebuild skills-based and vocational edu- cational programs designed to prepare students for careers in construction and manufacturing. “Just as contractors found ways to cope with the downturn, we need to make sure we are able to address the chal- lenges that will come with the sector’s eventual recovery,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief exec- utive officer. “One of the biggest chal- lenges this industry faces is limited supply of skilled construction workers available to meet the kind of demand we all hope the industry will soon expe- rience.” CONEXPO-CON/AGG Earns IBP Status Adapted from Information by AEM Media Services CONEXPO-CON/AGG has once again earned IBP (International Buyer Program) status from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The IBP status helps inter- national buyers, representatives, and dis- tributors attend the show and connect with export-minded exhibitors looking to boost sales and establish global connec- tions. The IBP recognizes top-notch shows serving industries with excellent export potential. Following a rigorous selection process, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 was among a small group of U.S.-based exhibitions selected for this distinction. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 will be held March 4-8, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The colocated IFPE 2014 exposition will also offer its attendees the IBP services and benefits. Under the IBP, the U.S. government promotes exhibitions through its world- wide network of embassies and con- sulates. It recruits official trade delegations to attend, and assists delegations with travel, housing, and registration. The IBP also provides exhibitors with practical, hands-on assistance such as export coun- seling, market analysis, and matchmaking services. To help attendees locate exhibitors interested in doing business through export sales, agency relationships, dis- tributor investment, and joint ventures, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2014 will produce an Export Opportunities Guide (print and electronic versions). This guide will be available at the shows and distributed to U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) international posts. An on-site International Trade Center (ITC), staffed by experienced DOC trade specialists and show management staff, will operate during shows with multilingual interpreters fluent in several languages; a message center; phone, fax, and e-mail access; as well as private meeting rooms. CONEXPO-CON/AGG has been recognized as the most global show in North America, with international atten- dance of 24% from more than 150 coun- tries at the last CONEXPO-CON/AGG event in 2011. For 2014, show management is ex- panding and refining its international mar- keting outreach, especially to emerging markets. They will establish more match- making opportunities and country round- tables to bring buyers and sellers together. They will also work closely with in-country DOC commercial service officers and ex- hibitors’ regional representatives to pin- point specific needs and actions to ensure optimum use of IBP services. “Everyone benefits when we create more opportunities to help exhibitors and attendees find the right business partners. We value the continued support of the U.S. Commerce Department and we urge exhibitors to take full advantage of the IBP program and what the shows offer to help increase their global business,” stat- ed Megan Tanel, CONEXPO-CON/AGG show director and AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) vice president of exhibitions and events. WWDR photo of the outdoor exhibits at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011.