SIX engineering scholarships at the University of Nottingham are to be funded by a leading manufacturer of heavy equipment

Oregon’s unemployment rate fell to 8 percent in April, down from 8.2 percent in March, as employers added jobs for the seventh month in a row, the state Employment Department said Tuesday.

Employers added 3,700 jobs in April. Large gains in leisure and hospitality, manufacturing and other services were partially offset by a drop in construction jobs, according to state economists.

Public construction projects have declined compared to several years ago, said David Cooke, an economist with the Employment Department. Single- and multifamily home construction has offset that a bit, Cooke said, but construction employment is still well below prerecession peaks of more than 100,000 jobs. “It was only up to 71,300 as of April,” he said.

Manufacturing, which has generally been a bright spot in the state and local economies, was expected to add 500 jobs in April as a result of normal seasonal factors. Instead, it added 1,700, according to preliminary estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This better-than-expected reading put manufacturing back on track with its moderate recovery seen during the prior three years,” Employment Department economists said.

Like construction, manufacturing of durable goods such as RVs is still well below it prerecession peak — 155,000 jobs in 2006, Cooke said, dropping as low as 113,000 at the end of 2009 and then growing steadily to 125,300 jobs in April, with wood products leading the way.

Manufacturing of nondurable goods, such as food products, was not hit as hard as durable goods, falling from an employment peak at 54,000 in 2007 to 49,000 during the recession and then growing slowly back to 50,500 in April, Cooke said.

The leisure and hospitality industry has been seeing record growth this year, Cooke said, but he added that he expects those numbers to be revised downward.

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly In April To 8.0 Percent

By Albany Tribune

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.0 percent in April and 8.2 percent in March.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, preliminary estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon rose by 3,700 jobs in April. Large gains in leisure and hospitality (+2,600 jobs), manufacturing (+1,200), and other services (+1,100) were partially offset by a drop in construction (-1,200). Revised estimates for March show a gain of 1,300 jobs, when a gain of 1,900 was initially reported.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that construction employment rose by only 1,700 in April when a gain of 2,900 is the normal seasonal movement. This weak showing followed strong gains in February and March. Over the longer term, construction added 1,400 jobs since April 2012, but at 68,100 jobs in April 2013, it was still well below its record April high of 101,500 reached in April 2007.

Manufacturing was expected to add 500 jobs in April due to normal seasonal factors, but added 1,700 instead. This better-than-expected reading put manufacturing back on track with its moderate recovery seen during the prior three years. Seasonally adjusted employment in manufacturing stood at 175,800 in April, which was well above its low point of 162,100 in late 2009.

Economists with the BLS estimate that leisure and hospitality added 4,600 jobs in April, at a time of year when a gain of 2,000 was expected due to seasonal factors. The industry has added employees at an accelerating rate so far this year.

Since April 2012, leisure and hospitality has been one of the fastest growing major industries. Over the past 12 months it added 9,300 jobs, or 5.6 percent. Food services and drinking places, a major component sector, has added 6,600 in that time.

The BLS estimates that in April, other services added 500 jobs when a loss of 600 is the normal seasonal pattern for the month.

This better-than-expected showing puts the industry slightly above its slow-growth trend seen over the past two years. This industry, which includes establishments engaged in repair, maintenance, personal services, and religious organizations, has recovered less than half of the jobs it lost during the 2008-2009 recession.

While several major industries – including manufacturing, construction, and financial activities – remain well below their pre-recession employment peaks, several industries were at record levels in April. Professional and business services employed 199,500 on a seasonally adjusted basis in April. This was slightly above its pre recession peak of 198,900 reached in April 2008.

Earlier this year, leisure and hospitality blew past its prior peak; the industry employed 179,100 in April. And private-sector educational and health services never experienced an employment downturn during the past 20 years. Its employment growth rate slowed over the past year, but at 240,600 jobs it is still in record territory.

Quarterly Revisions (Establishment Survey Data)

Effective today, the Oregon payroll employment numbers were revised for all months from October 2012 through March 2013. The figures now incorporate a near-universe count of employment covered by the unemployment insurance program for October through December. The months of January through March were then adjusted to reflect the newly revised December figures.

These improvements to this Oregon data resulted in an upward revision of 3,100 jobs to December’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment. The private-sector was revised upward by 6,500, while government was revised downward by 3,400. Private-sector revisions were largest in the following industries: leisure and hospitality (revised upward by 2,100 jobs); construction (+1,200); and trade, transportation and utilities (+1,200).

Unemployment (Household Survey Data)

The national unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in April and 7.6 percent in March, while Oregon’s rate was 8.0 percent in April and 8.2 percent in March.

In April, 150,576 Oregonians were unemployed. This was 19,955 fewer individuals than in April 2012 when 170,531 Oregonians were unemployed.

knowledge and skills of an operator against industry and regulatory standards and
expectations using a validated and transparent certification process.

NAHETS offers ADEPT Heavy Equipment Operator Certification on the following

pieces of equipment to students at the member schools:
- Dozer
- Wheel Loader
- Backhoe
- Hydraulic Excavator

As part of its ongoing efforts, NAHETS is introducing the ADEPT Heavy Equipment
Certification directly to industry.

ADEPT Methodology
ADEPT Certification uses an outcome-based methodology. Based on industry
standards, regulatory requirements, and the input of subject-matter experts,
NAHETS developed a set of domains and outcomes that describe the basic

knowledge and skills needed to operate heavy equipment. Each outcome is
measurable and each question and exercise comprising the assessment process is
designed to measure the operator’s knowledge or skill in terms of one or more of

the stated outcomes. As part of the validation process, each domain, outcome, and
assessment tool has been reviewed by experienced subject matter experts and field-
tested for accuracy and applicability.

ADEPT Heavy Equipment Certification consists of written and practical exams.

Written exams explicitly measure the operator’s knowledge of applicable terms,
concepts, and operations. The written exams are divided up into the following:

-

Core Examination assesses operators on their knowledge of basic heavy

equipment safety and function, earthmoving operations, soils, site layout, and
practical math application.
Equipment Specific Examinations assess the operators on their knowledge
of equipment specific uses, components, controls, safety procedures,

inspection and maintenance, basic operations and cycle time.

-

The ADEPT practical exams assess the operators on their ability to operate the
specific pieces of equipment safely and effectively. Each operator is required to

execute a set number of exercises on the equipment. These exercises are based on
common tasks and expectations associated with the normal uses for that piece of
equipment.

What is the value of a third-party certification to the employer?

NAHETS acts as a body independent of the schools or any employers in the
administration of the ADEPT assessments and in determining which operators
will receive the ADEPT certification. The ADEPT certification is built on years of

certification, assessment, and training experience that have been validated by a
sound methodology.

An operator with a third-party certification is a valuable asset to the employer. The
ADEPT certification provides the following benefits to both the employer and the

operator:

-

It provides a clear and transparent record that the operator has exhibited
the desired or required level of knowledge and skills as measured against the
stated outcomes.
This record is available for review not just by the employer but also by all

other stakeholders to include safety inspectors, training inspectors, OSHA
and MSHA inspectors, clients and contractors, and insurance providers.
It removes reliance on assumptions and guesses, which may prove faulty, as

to what an operator may or may know in terms of heavy equipment safety
and operation.
It can provide a capstone verification of either an employer operated training
program or a NAHETS Heavy Equipment Training course designed to meet

the needs of the employer.

-

-

-

While many experienced and current heavy equipment operators likely are safe
and effective, the ADEPT certification acts as a solid verification of the operator’s

knowledge and skills. The certification provides a clear and transparent record to
all interested parties. As part of the ADEPT certification service, NAHETS maintains
an up-to-date database that records all certified operators. The information is

available upon request to operators, employers and other stakeholders subject to
the relevant privacy policies and laws.

ADEPT Products and Services
Along with the ADEPT Heavy Equipment Certification, NAHETS offers other

products and services to enhance the quality and transparency of heavy equipment
operator knowledge and skills.

ADEPT Heavy Equipment Operator Certification: The ADEPT certification for
heavy equipment operators is designed to assess whether or not an operator

has the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with the stated
outcomes. The outcomes are designed to describe the expected knowledge,
skills, and abilities of an “entry-level” operator. The outcomes, and the

associated assessments, are based on the following general areas:
- Safety
- Preventive Maintenance

Basic knowledge of:
o Heavy equipment in the construction, energy, and mining
environment
o Roles and functions that support the use of heavy equipment

- Basic skills in operating the equipment
The assessment tools consist of a series of written and practical exams with
questions and exercises linked explicitly to stated outcomes. Customized
modules of the exams can be developed to meet an employer’s unique needs

and requirements.

-

ADEPT Heavy Equipment Operator Assessments: The ADEPT Operator
Assessments are designed to determine the knowledge and skills of current
heavy equipment operators. Similar to the ADEPT Certification, these

assessments are linked to stated outcomes. The ADEPT Assessment tools
provide employers, operators, and other stakeholders an indication of
the operator’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as measured against the

outcomes. Due to the explicit link between assessment questions and tasks
to the outcomes, it is possible to identify and report areas of deficiency and
necessary follow-up training. The assessment tools consist of a series of

written and practical exams. The employer may choose which exams to use
as part of their assessment process. Customized modules of the exams can
be developed to meet an employer’s unique needs and requirements.

The ADEPT Operator Assessments are not the same as the ADEPT Operator
Certification. Completion of the ADEPT Operator Assessments does not earn
the operator an ADEPT Operator Certification.

ADEPT Heavy Equipment Operator Pre-Employment Assessments: The

pre-employment assessments are similar to the operator assessments
but are designed to assist in the hiring decision process. Pre-employment
assessments are administered to applicants for heavy equipment operator

positions to help determine the level or degree of expected knowledge,
skills, and abilities. The assessment tools consist of a series of written and
practical exams. The employer may choose which exams to use as part of

their assessment process. Customized modules of the pre-employment
assessments can be developed to meet the employer’s unique needs and
requirements.

The ADEPT Pre-Employment Assessments are not the same as the ADEPT

Operator Certification. Completion of the ADEPT Pre-Employment
Assessments does not earn the operator an ADEPT Operator Certification.

ADEPT Customized Curriculum, Certification, and Assessments: NAHETS
works directly with companies to develop dynamic and unique assessment

tools that meet their needs. NAHETS can create a new assessment program

or build on an existing one. Either the company or NAHETS can manage the
administration of the certification or assessment program.

NAHETS ADEPT Training Courses: NAHETS offers flexible courses using
a curriculum based on the stated outcomes. The courses are focused on
safe and effective heavy equipment operation. The courses can be designed

to prepare operators to take the ADEPT Heavy Equipment Operator
Certification exams or to meet specific shortcomings in knowledge, skills,
and abilities as determined by the results of an ADEPT Heavy Equipment
Operator Assessment. Courses can also be designed to meet the unique

needs and requirements of the employer.

Manitex, Inc. has unveiled its newest truck-mounted telescopic crane, the 70-ton TC700. The crane is specifically designed to be used on commercial carriers, allowing operators quickly travel to and between job sites. Once on the job, the TC700′s ROC radio outrigger controls, swing-out outrigger design, on-board outrigger pads, and remote winch control option combine to greatly speed setup time by a single operator.

R

ead more here

Kansas was among 19 states losing construction jobs from March 2012 to March 2013, the Associated General Contractors of America said in a report Friday.

The state lost 1,800 jobs from year ago, a drop of 3.2 percent, the AGC’s analysis of U.S. Labor Department data shows.

Kansas construction employment last month stood at 54,900, AGC says.

On a brighter note, Kansas picked up 200 jobs from February to March, a gain of 0.4 percent.

The AGC, in a news release, cautioned that many states remain vulnerable to construction cutbacks from newly enacted and proposed decreases in federal funding for infrastructure. Association officials said the cuts in federal funding for construction enacted in March would push employment totals lower in states with large military and federal civilian facilities.

March Construction Employment Up in 30 States

Construction employment increased in 30 states in March as the industry expanded, but at a slower pace than in February, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials caution, however, that many states remain vulnerable to construction cutbacks from newly enacted and proposed decreases in federal funding for infrastructure.

“A majority of states are adding jobs month by month and year-over-year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The expansion appears poised to continue for residential and private nonresidential construction. But investment in infrastructure and public buildings is still on a downward path. That will keep employment down in states with a large federal presence.”

Simonson said hiring for recovery work from Hurricane Sandy may be the reason New York had the largest increase in construction employment between February and March (6,000 jobs, 1.9 percent) and Connecticut had the largest percentage increase (5.7 percent, 2,900 jobs).

Twenty states and the District of Columbia lost construction jobs between February and March. The largest losses occurred in Missouri (-3,400 jobs, -3.2 percent).

Association officials said cuts in federal funding for construction enacted in March would push employment totals lower in states with large military and federal civilian facilities. “Shortchanging investment in the nation’s infrastructure hurts not just construction workers but anyone who relies on good roads, air travel or drinking water,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.

“We need to make urgent repairs and new investments in transportation and environmental infrastructure before our aging and overused systems begin to drag on economic growth,” Sandherr said.

View the state employment data by rank and by state.

Texas construction firms added nearly 40,000 employees to payrolls

Texas was on the gaining end in construction employment over the past 12 months, according to a new report by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

Texas added a total of 39,800 jobs between March 2012 and March 2013. Only California added more jobs on a year-over-year basis. The Golden State added a total of 41,000 jobs over the 12-month period.

Texas’ construction companies had a total of 616,200 jobs as of March 31, 2013 — a 6.9 percent increase from the 576,400 jobs reported last March.

The AGC analysis tracks employment numbers for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

Texas was one of 31 states, plus the District of Columbia, that added construction workers to their payrolls between March 2012 and 2013, AGC reports. The remaining 19 states lost construction jobs.

Looking at monthly job gains/losses, AGC reports that 30 states added jobs between February and March 2013. Another 21 states, plus the District of Columbia, lost construction jobs. Nationally, a total of 18,000 jobs were added on a monthly basis — marking the 10th consecutive month of employment increases.

Texas added 1,900 construction jobs between February and March — going from a total of 614,300 employees in February, to 616,200 a month later.

While noting that the majority of the states are adding jobs on a month-over-month and year-over-year basis, Ken Simonson, chief economist of AGC, also points out that those states with a large federal presence are facing some challenges.

“The expansion appears poised to continue for residential and private nonresidential construction,” Simonson says. “But investment in infrastructure and public buildings is still on a downward path. That will keep employment down in states with a large federal presence.”

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bill McMichael
I read this great article on military heavy equipment training transitioning into occupational licensure

read more here…..

United Rentals First-Quarter Profit Up 62%

United Rentals’ quarter #1 earnings climbed 62% as the company’s revenue continued to gain strength. UR reported a profit of $21 million, up from $13 million a year earlier.

GO GET ‘EM United Rentals!

Construction employment experienced an increase for the tenth month in a row in March, as the sector added 18,000 jobs, according to analysis of federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The sector surpassed 5.8 million employees for the first time since September 2009.

“The nearly steady expansion of construction payrolls since hitting bottom in January 2011 brought the industry’s unemployment rate down to 14.7 percent last month, the lowest March rate since 2008,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “Unfortunately, the decline is less a result of the 370,000 construction hires than because more than a million and a half experienced workers have left the industry since its peak by taking other jobs, retiring or leaving the workforce. That makes shortages of skilled workers increasingly likely in high-demand crafts such as pipefitting, welding and some residential activities.”

The 5.802 million construction workers employed in March constituted an increase of 162,000 or 2.9 percent from a year ago and included many, but not all, nonresidential segments as well as residential construction, Simonson noted. Residential building and specialty trade contractors added 14,800 workers in the month and 77,800 (3.8 percent) over 12 months. Nonresidential building and specialty trade contractors, along with heavy and civil engineering construction firms, boosted employment by 3,000 in March and 84,400 (2.3 percent) since March 2012.

“In contrast to the broad gains in most construction segments, employment in public works construction has been flat or falling,” Simonson said. These counts, which lag the overall industry totals by one month, show a drop of 3,500 employees (1.5 percent) in highway, street and bridge construction from February 2012 to February 2013 and a pickup of only 1,000 (0.7 percent) in water and sewer system construction. At the other extreme, Simonson said, oil and gas pipeline construction employment soared by 16,300 (14.5 percent) and power and communication system construction employment jumped by 14,400 (13.0 percent).

Construction job growth hits 7-year high

While today’s job’s report was disappointing on nearly all fronts, there was one bright spot that shone through the dismal numbers: sustained construction-job growth.

"The solid increase in construction employment in March, which brought the average monthly gain during the first quarter to 30,000 jobs, the biggest in seven years, supports the view that the housing recovery will continue to march on despite headwinds from fiscal drags," said Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan in a statement.

Indeed, the economy continues to add construction jobs at a fast clip. At 3.8 percent year over year in March, the growth rate of residential-construction jobs towers over the overall jobs growth rate of 1.4 percent. In the last two years construction has added 317,000 jobs to the economy, with over half of that increase occurring in the last six months, the White House said in a statement on the jobs report.

Even still, the rate of construction job growth lags far behind growth in actual home construction — which was a whopping 28 percent year over year in February, according to the Census Bureau. Today, Trulia economist Jed Kolko offered an explanation for why this is:

"A key reason for this seemingly slow rebound in construction jobs is that construction activity (in units or dollar value) fell much more than employment did after the housing bubble burst. Economists point to "labor hoarding": firms often hold on to more workers than they need in temporary downturns if the cost of firing, rehiring, and retraining is high relative to keeping them on," Kolko wrote in a blog post. "That means jobs declined less than construction activity during the bust and are therefore now rebounding less."

The number of construction jobs for every housing unit actually appears bloated, Kolko found. In February, there were about 3.7 jobs per unit, up 40 percent from a February 2001 level of 2.6 per unit, he said.

As home construction continues to rise, the sector will continue to generate jobs, but the number of jobs per unit should gradually decline to pre-bubble levels, he said.

"For builders who are reporting labor shortages today, that headache is likely to get worse, not better, as the recovery continues," he added.

Cranes Today Magazine also publishes, wnorth@cranestodaymagazine.com