Labor
22-year-old Tristan Coates will represent the US in the carpentry category at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in September 2026. He won the gold medal in the SkillsUSA National Carpentry Competition in 2022 at age 18 and currently runs his own construction company, Coates Builder Improvements.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that the H-1B visa program has reached its fiscal year 2027 cap. The program has a regular cap of 65,000 petitions, plus 20,000 exemptions for holders of advanced U.S. degrees. Although the Trump administration attempted to tighten policies by raising thresholds and imposing fees, some measures have faced legal challenges. Large employers such as Amazon and Apple still heavily use this visa.
Gen Z construction professionals face the dual challenge of financial pressure and colleague skepticism when taking time off. Despite companies offering generous PTO, young employees still need to plan ahead, make extra preparations, and even defend their reasons for taking leave. This article analyzes the industry culture behind this phenomenon through the real experiences of multiple practitioners and proposes measures employers can take to improve the situation.
Several U.S. federal agencies submitted regulatory updates to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday, publishing timelines for multiple proposed and final rules covering independent contractor classification, tip credit, minor work hours, pregnancy worker protections, EEO-1 reporting repeal, and H-1B visa reform. These actions are part of the Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal employment law compliance system, particularly in the areas of anti-discrimination and wage and hour regulations.
As the number of large-scale projects in core markets grows as expected, the construction industry is undergoing profound transformation. These projects not only adopt new delivery methods such as prefabrication but also have a significant impact on talent development: both administrative roles and skilled trades gain leapfrog growth opportunities. DPR data shows that over 850 of its nearly 6,500 administrative employees have already been involved in large-scale projects; on the skilled trades side, a single project at peak times requires more than 6,000 skilled workers. Through internal training programs, union apprenticeship initiatives, and owner investments, the industry is accelerating the building of future-oriented career pathways.
U.S. President Trump announced via social media on Monday his plan to nominate Keith Sanderlin as Secretary of Labor. Sanderlin previously served as Acting Secretary, succeeding Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who resigned amid an investigation. He advocates for employer-friendly regulations, self-audit programs, and AI workforce compliance, and if confirmed by the Senate, he will advance the President's agenda.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction job openings increased to 298,000 in May, the highest level since 2026, up 32,000 month-over-month and 76,000 year-over-year. However, economists point out that slowing hiring and rising layoffs indicate that overall labor demand has weakened, except for data center-related positions.
Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled to vacate three provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act from the Biden administration, which had sought to extend prevailing wage rules to subcontract employees beyond construction workers. The Associated General Contractors of America welcomed the decision, but other lawsuits remain pending.
This article explores how Gen Z (born after 1997) emphasis on work-life balance affects employment in the construction industry. Through case studies of safety specialist Corey Silverman, assistant project managers Hannah Hsi and Lauren Welsh, and consultant Fulton Cure, it analyzes how contractors should adapt to this generational shift, providing flexibility while ensuring output.
Superior Construction plans to break ground later this year on a two-story, 13,000-square-foot training center at its Jacksonville, Florida headquarters, equipped with classrooms, offices, heavy equipment simulators, and a gym. CEO Nick Largura says the move aims to address the aging skilled workforce by injecting fresh talent into the industry through hands-on training and mentorship.