Bloomberg reports that January, normally a slow construction month due to weather, saw an unusual increase in housing-related employment with an increase of 12,500 construction works or 1.8 percent; the largest percentage one-month jump in over 12 years!
Other housing-related jobs saw increases as well. Specialty trade contractors, recently in short-supply rose by 7,600 – the largest increase since 2009. 4,100 employees are added to wood product manufacturers while building material outlets added another 3,700. Home designers, architectural and engineering employment rose by 7,800 to the highest level since 2008.
Finally, if more houses are being built, there will be need for more realtors to sell them and this is exactly what happened as real estate professionals increased by 4,400.
Strong growth in all these sectors is expected throughout 2015.
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