Residential, highway construction jobs plentiful as metro area grows

Look around, and you'll see parking decks, new homes, office buildings and highways being built all over metro Atlanta. The evidence is overwhelming that the construction industry is booming. It often seems as though Atlanta never stops building.

While the housing bubble seems to have burst in other parts of the country, Atlanta's residential construction has remained steady. That's good news for anyone hoping to work in the housing trades.

"Atlanta is at the top of the housing market because we've experienced moderate appreciation over the past five or so years," said Chris Burke, vice president of government affairs with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. "Because of this, we're seeing steady growth overall in new housing."

Burke said the job outlook will continue to be good in residential construction. "Atlanta is a transportation hub, the weather is excellent and the economy is generally strong here," he said. "It will keep the housing market stable."

When it comes to roads and highways, new construction and renovation is commonplace. The work just keeps on coming, on the interstate system, city streets and state highways.

"Last year was a record year for the Georgia Department of Transportation," said Teri Pope, communications officer for the Georgia DOT. "We let a record number of contracts in fiscal year 2006, which ended June 30, 2006."

Those contracts include the $147 million reconfiguration of the intersection of I-85 and Ga. 316 and the reconstruction of exit 16 on I-985 in Oakwood, just south of Gainesville. "The project in Hall is the [county's] largest ever, at $74.6 million," Pope said.

"With these types of projects, I'd say that highway construction is a good place to work."

Pope said that, while the DOT oversees the projects, the work is actually done by large companies that specialize in road construction, so jobs are more likely found with the larger highway contractors. Prime contractors who hold the construction contracts, such as E.R. Snell of Snellville, APAC Southeast of Smyrna and C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. of Marietta, seek all kinds of workers.

Because so many projects are taking place, and the time frame to complete them is often years, the employment pool is being taxed.

"There's a shortage of people, especially with the large number of projects currently going on," Pope said. "These companies are especially looking for skilled labor, people with certifications and experience. For instance, not just anyone can do blasting. It requires training and special certifications."

Jobs are also found with the companies who subcontract to the prime contractors. Specialists in bridge building, roadbed construction and landscaping are among the teams hired by the general contractors.

"Highway construction is at record levels right now, partly because of the governor's Fast Forward program," said Bill Hammack, president and chief operating officer with C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. "It's good for prime contractors and subcontractors, for skilled and unskilled labor."

Workers are needed as carpenters, equipment operators, surveyors and drilling subcontractors.

"This is a good market for young people to get into and learn. They can make a good living for themselves," he said. "It going to be a strong employment market for a long time."