Construction Sector Adds 17,000 Jobs in October

The construction sector's unemployment level fell 11.4 percent with the addition of 17,000 industry-related jobs in October, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. During the last year total construction employment has displayed little change while the declines in the industry's unemployment rate are becoming more frequent as former workers leave the industry.

"Despite five consecutive months of construction employment gains, the overall employment picture is essentially unchanged from a year ago," says Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Construction employment appears stuck in a state of mild monthly flux with little change to the overall number of jobs."

Construction firms employed 5.539 million people in October, up from 5.522 in