Oil and Gas Extraction Jobs Edge Up in August, BLS Data Shows
US oil and gas extraction employment rose from 114,700 in July to 114,900 in August, a rare month-over-month gain that Rigzone notes has only happened three times in the past decade.
Workforce & Operations
Labour shortages, crew management, field technology, and workforce trends in the energy services sector.
Workforce & Operations Guides
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When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts
📙 Intermediate10 min read
How to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders
📗 Beginner10 min read
From the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch
📙 Intermediate16 min read
How to Promote Field Leaders Without Losing Your Best Hands: Foreman and Supervisor Development for Growing Subcontractors
📙 Intermediate16 min read
How to Hire and Retain Field Workers Without Raising Pay: The Complete Guide
📙 Intermediate18 min read
Data Center Boom Strains Labor Pool, Squeezes Subcontractors
ENR's Top 400 report shows telecommunications and data center revenue up 86% as contractors warn labor shortages and cost volatility are outpacing hiring, forcing subcontractors to weigh chasing AI infrastructure work against existing client commitments.
Even as Contractors Cut Headcount, 73% Still Plan to Hire, Survey Finds
A new AGC-NCCER workforce survey of 1,830 respondents finds skilled craft shortages persist even as more firms cut headcount than expanded it for the first time since the pandemic, with data center demand and turnover keeping hiring pressure high.
Construction Job Openings Hit Two-Year High as Data Centers Fuel Demand
Construction job openings climbed to 326,000 in July, the highest level in nearly two years, as data-center and power-related construction drive contractor hiring, according to Engineering News-Record.
PG&E Crew Wins HDD Rodeo Showcase, Advances to 2026 Nationals
A PG&E crew completed a 200-ft directional bore in just over 50 minutes to win the 2025 HDD Rodeo Showcase, earning a spot at the December 2026 HDD Rodeo nationals, Trenchless Technology reports.
Wildfire Smoke Poses Year-Round OSHA Risk for Outdoor Crews
ISHN reports that construction, utility, and landscaping crews face growing respiratory hazards from recurring wildfire smoke, with industry experts urging employers to treat AQI monitoring and N95 fit testing as standard seasonal prep, not emergency response.
GameChange Builds 500-kV Transformer Plant in India for U.S. Buyers
GameChange Energy is building a 300,000-sq-ft factory near Mumbai to produce extra-high-voltage transformers, with 75% of output earmarked for U.S. utilities and developers facing multi-year lead times.
SpaceX's $100B Louisiana Spaceport Plan Signals Years of Field Work Ahead
SpaceX's proposed 10-pad, $100 billion Starbase Louisiana complex could generate over 34,000 construction jobs on Gulf Coast marshland, but contractor selection, workforce breakdowns and phasing remain undisclosed.
Process Engineer Talent Gap Widens as Boomers Retire, Control Global Finds
Control Global surveys system integrators and educators on the shrinking pipeline of process engineers and operators, pointing to retirements and rapid digitalization as compounding pressures.
Hanford Nuclear Cleanup Ramps Up Waste Removal, Adds Grouting Option
ENR reports crews at the DOE Hanford site pulled 79,000 gallons of radioactive waste from a leak-prone tank and removed a 10-ton obstructing pump, as regulators approve a new grouting method to speed disposal.
EPA Opens $10.8M Grant Round for Water Sector Workforce Training
The EPA is offering $10.8 million in grants for water workforce training, apprenticeships and regional partnerships, with applications due October 5, 2026, WaterWorld reports.
McCarthy Building Cos. Breaks Ground on 12-Acre Training Campus in Tempe
McCarthy Building Cos. is converting a former hotel and convention site in Tempe, Arizona, into a dedicated training campus for its 8,000 craft and salaried employees, Construction Dive reports.
US Oil and Gas Extraction Jobs Fall to Lowest Level Since 2022
U.S. oil and gas extraction employment dropped to 114,600 in July 2026, the lowest level since March 2022, according to BLS data reported by Rigzone. The decline signals softer demand for upstream drilling and completions work.
Contractors Add 22K Jobs in July as Broader Economy Loses 23K
ENR reports construction firms added roughly 22,000 jobs in July even as the overall US economy shed 23,000 positions, with specialty trade contractors driving most of the gains.
Mutual Aid Crews Restore 90% of Power After EF-3 Tornado Hits Menasha, Wisconsin
T&D World reports that 80 lineworkers from 16 WPPI Energy member utilities helped restore power to Menasha, Wisconsin, after a July 27 EF-3 tornado snapped more than 60 poles.
Prysmian Buys Scottish High-Voltage Cable Jointer Training Academy
Prysmian has acquired a North Ayrshire training facility for high-voltage cable jointers, adding more than 20 apprentices as it builds workforce capacity for UK and European transmission projects.
Pittsburgh's 22M-lb Bridge Slide Signals Growing Market for Heavy-Move Specialists
ENR details how crews in Pittsburgh executed one of the heaviest bridge slide-ins in U.S. history, a feat that shows the specialized rigging and skid-system expertise subcontractors can market on future infrastructure mega-projects.
Inside a 16-Hour, 8,400-Yard Mat Pour Below Miami's Water Table
Engineering News-Record details how Coastal Construction sequenced a continuous 8,400-cubic-yard mat foundation pour beneath a 62-story Sunny Isles Beach tower, offering a field-ops blueprint for groundwater control, batch-plant logistics and curing on complex South Florida sites.
Canada's Construction Labor Gap Set to Hit 34,000 Workers by 2035
A BuildForce Canada forecast covered by the Daily Commercial News shows construction employment rising through 2035, but retirements and slowing population growth will leave the industry short more than 30,000 nonresidential workers alone.
Texas Upstream Jobs Rise by 400 in June, TIPRO Data Shows
TIPRO reports Texas upstream oil and gas employment grew by 400 jobs in June 2026, with service sector gains offsetting a drop in extraction jobs.
ABC-NJ's 106,000-Sq-Ft Training Center Offers Apprenticeship Model
Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey has opened a 106,000-square-foot Mount Laurel facility training 26 Department of Labor-approved trades under one roof, aiming to scale to more than 1,000 apprentices trained annually within five years.
36-Inch Water Main Break Prompts Conservation Push in West Hollywood
A ruptured 36-inch transmission main on Sunset Boulevard has LADWP crews working around the clock, with officials asking residents and businesses to conserve water during repairs.
Utilities Risk Losing Skilled Workers to Tech as AI Demand Surges
Utility Dive opinion piece warns that utilities must treat workforce planning as critical infrastructure or risk losing engineers and technicians to tech companies chasing the same AI-driven talent pool.
Training Supervisors on Injury Recovery Support Can Cut Comp Claim Disputes
Construction Executive reports that training supervisors to support the "whole person" during injury recovery, not just physical healing, improves return-to-work outcomes and reduces comp disputes.
Three Teams Prequalify for Ontario Science Facility Complex in Oakville
Infrastructure Ontario has prequalified three design-build-finance-maintain teams for a new science facility complex in Oakville, with an RFP expected this fall and a winner named in late 2027.
US, Texas Energy Services Jobs Dip in June After Three-Month Climb
Energy services employment fell in June across the U.S. and Texas after three straight months of gains, though industry data shows the workforce has remained stable through the first half of 2026.
UK Launches Cross-Skill Program for Oil, Gas and Offshore Wind Technicians
The ECITB has rolled out a six-week training program letting oil and gas technicians move between offshore hydrocarbons and offshore wind maintenance while retaining their original qualifications.
Nearly 70 PSO Linemen Deploy to Louisiana for Storm Restoration
Public Service Company of Oklahoma sent close to 70 line and service crews to Shreveport to help restore power for sister utility Southwestern Electric Power Company.
Ensign Hits IADC Competency Milestone as Land Driller
Drilling Contractor reports Ensign Energy Services has achieved full accreditation through the IADC Competence Assurance program, becoming the only North American land-based drilling contractor to reach that status across its range of roles.
Nabors and Corva Merge Rig Data Systems With AI-Driven KPI Tracking
Nabors Drilling Technologies and Corva have integrated their edge computing and AI platforms into one system, RigCLOUD Powered by Corva, standardizing drilling KPIs and enabling real-time predictive analytics on the rig.
Ontario's New Type 2 Hard Hat Rule: What Contractors Need to Know Before 2027
Ontario will require side-impact-rated Type 2 hard hats on construction sites starting July 1, 2027. Daily Commercial News details the new hazard assessment, training, and procurement requirements employers must meet.
Data Center Boom Fuels Workforce Spending Amid Rising Local Pushback
Meta and Google are pouring a combined $165 million into skilled-trades training as data center developers face growing community opposition and legal delays on megaprojects nationwide.
Amtrak's $1.6B East River Tunnel Rehab Stays on Track for 2027 Despite Minor Delay
Amtrak's East River Tunnel rehabilitation project remains on schedule for a late 2027 completion, though crews pushed the Line 2 reopening back one month to August after discovering ceiling voids during catenary installation.
California HSR Authority Launches RFQ for $2.4B Merced-to-Madera Civil Works Contract
California's High-Speed Rail Authority has approved an RFQ for the $2.4B Merced-to-Madera civil works package, expanding active construction to 171 miles. Utility, civil, and specialty subs should start tracking this procurement now.
AI's Power Hunger Is Creating a Construction Boom Subcontractors Can't Afford to Miss
The White House has warned of a $1.4 trillion power infrastructure shortfall driven by AI demand. For utility and electrical subcontractors, the buildout ahead may be the largest in a generation.
Norway Oil Service Lockout Idles Four Rigs, Threatens 120,000 boe/d Loss
A lockout of roughly 1,000 Norwegian oil service workers took effect Saturday, halting drilling on four mobile rigs and five fixed installations, with production losses potentially exceeding 120,000 boe/d if the dispute continues past mid-July.
US Oil and Gas Extraction Payrolls Edge Up in May, BLS Data Shows
US oil and gas extraction employment rose slightly from 115,500 in April to 115,600 in May 2026, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The gain is modest, with May's figure ranking as the second lowest for that month in a decade of BLS records.
DPR and Suffolk Technologies Back AI Hiring Platform Skillit
DPR Construction and Suffolk Technologies have made equity investments in Skillit, an AI-powered platform that matches vetted tradespeople with contractors, signaling a broader industry shift toward tech-driven workforce sourcing.
DEWALT Study Finds Construction Workers Want AI but Aren't Getting the Training to Use It
A new DEWALT study reveals construction professionals are ready to adopt AI tools, but a lack of hands-on, job-specific training is creating a workforce gap that could cost subcontractors bids and productivity gains.
Texas Upstream Adds 4,100 Jobs in May, Led by Oilfield Services Surge
Texas upstream oil and gas employment climbed to approximately 197,500 positions in May, with oilfield services driving the gain, according to TIPRO's latest workforce analysis.
AI Data Centers Now Drawing City-Scale Power, Forcing a New Playbook for Contractors
Emerging AI data centers are approaching 1 GW of electricity demand, rivaling small cities. A new industry framework from NEMA, ASHRAE, and PNNL is reshaping how contractors plan, staff, and execute these massive projects.
Construction Compensation Growth Cooling in 2026, Survey Data Shows
Salary increases for construction staff are trending back toward pre-pandemic norms, with average increases forecast to fall below 4% for the first time since 2020, according to ENR's Q2 2026 Cost Report.
Ontario Begins Resurfacing 16.8 km of Highway 17 Near Echo Bay
Ontario crews have started rehabilitating a key stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Echo Bay, including bridge replacements and culvert work across two separate contracts.
Jobsite Supervisors Are Now on the Front Line of Suicide Prevention
Construction workers report anxiety and depression at record rates, and field supervisors are increasingly the first line of response. Here's what the data shows and what subcontractors can do about it.
Black & Veatch Survey: Aging Infrastructure and Staffing Gaps Signal Sustained Work Pipeline for Water Utility Subs
Black & Veatch's 2026 Water Report, drawing on more than 600 industry stakeholders, confirms aging infrastructure and workforce shortages as the defining pressures on U.S. water utilities, pointing to a long-term construction and maintenance backlog.
Skilled Trades Shortage Is the Real Bottleneck in AI Infrastructure Buildout
The tech industry's data center ambitions are running headlong into a shortage of electricians, welders, and pipefitters. For field service companies, that's a market signal worth paying attention to.
Energy Services Sector Adds Jobs for Third Straight Month in May
U.S. energy services employment reached 633,115 positions in May, marking three consecutive months of job growth and adding more than 8,000 jobs since January, according to the Energy Workforce & Technology Council.
Autonomous Construction Equipment Is Moving From Trade Show Floor to Job Site
AI-powered machines and remote operation technology are reshaping how construction crews work. Here's what early-adopter field service companies are deploying and what it means for your workforce.
Federal AI Bill Would Reshape Workforce Planning and Data-Center Construction for Contractors
A bipartisan House proposal released June 4 would create a federal AI governance framework with new workforce forecasting programs and infrastructure reviews, with direct implications for contractors building data centers and managing labor pipelines.
Collège Boréal Launches Mining and Civil Tech Program to Fill Northern Ontario Labour Gap
Collège Boréal's new two-year Construction Engineering Technician program in Timmins targets more than 3,700 mining-related job openings projected for the region by 2029.
Canada's Building Trades Unions Launches 41-Point Indigenous Workforce Plan
Canada's Building Trades Unions has released a new Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan with 41 commitments targeting workforce participation, training, and economic partnership across the trades.
AI Tools Are Becoming the New Apprentice, Capturing Retiring Workers' Knowledge Before It Walks Out the Door
Construction Executive argues the industry faces a "knowledge cliff" as veteran workers retire, and AI-powered tools embedded in equipment and training systems could be the practical solution field service companies need.
Houston Construction Starts Forecast to Rise 6% in 2026 as Population and Big Tech Drive Demand
Houston added more construction jobs than any other US metro area in the past year, and total construction starts are forecast to climb 6% in 2026. Here's what subcontractors operating in the region need to watch.
Tariffs, Labor, and Supply Chain Top Concerns at Aggregate Industry Roundtable
Executives at the Pit & Quarry Roundtable flagged tariff-driven cost spikes, labor shifts, and capital project delays as the top pressures facing the aggregate industry heading into 2026.
ProScore and United Rentals Partner to Deliver Certified Equipment Operator Training
ProScore Technologies and United Rentals have teamed up to integrate structured equipment operator training into the ProScore platform, offering portable credentials across up to 12 equipment types for construction and energy sector workers.
53 Utility Companies Log 3,700 Hours Connecting 13 Navajo Nation Homes to the Grid
Crews from 53 utility companies across 24 states worked more than 3,700 combined hours to bring electricity to 13 remote Navajo Nation families through the Light Up Navajo VII initiative.
Virginia Transformer's New Alabama Plant to Employ 1,100, Adds Training Center and Rail Access
Virginia Transformer announced plans to build its seventh North American manufacturing facility in Colbert County, Alabama, creating 1,100 jobs and expanding power transformer production capacity.
Canada's Northern Build-Out Needs Skilled Trades Now — Subcontractors Who Plan Ahead Will Win the Work
Canada is committing more than $35 billion to Arctic military and infrastructure projects, but a severe skilled trades shortage in the North means workforce planning is the critical variable. Subcontractors who move early could capture significant opportunity.
Construction Unemployment Rises in 44 States, but Contractors Are Holding Onto Crews
New state-level labor data shows construction unemployment climbing across most of the country, yet contractors are keeping workers on payroll. Here's what that tension means for subcontractors planning summer capacity.
US Oil and Gas Extraction Employment Drops to Lowest Point Since August 2022
BLS data shows oil and gas extraction employment fell to 115,200 in April 2026, the lowest level since August 2022 and the second consecutive April decline. Subcontractors should factor the trend into crew planning.
AI Data Center Boom Sparks Construction Hiring Race for Electricians, HVAC Techs, and Welders
A surge in AI infrastructure spending is driving one of the strongest construction hiring cycles in decades, creating major opportunities for electrical, mechanical, and HVAC subcontractors who can find the workers.
When Planners Get Pulled Into Reactive Work, Maintenance Capacity Suffers
A Plant Services columnist argues that most plant managers are undermining their own maintenance planning functions, leaving significant labor capacity on the table.
Nonresidential Specialty Contractors Added 12,600 Jobs in April, Led by Data Center Boom
Nonresidential specialty contractors led construction hiring in April, adding an estimated 12,600 positions as data center construction spending surged 34% over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Construction Labor Market Flatlines in Q1 2026, Signaling Trouble for Summer Hiring
Construction job openings fell 19% year-over-year in March while hiring remained subdued, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Economists say the stagnation signals soft demand and a cautious industry holding pattern.
Construction Job Openings Rebound but Hiring Remains "Extremely Subdued"
Construction job openings climbed 23,000 in March but remain well below year-ago levels, with an ABC economist warning that industry hiring is still at historically soft levels heading into summer.
Oil and Gas Extraction Employment Has Fallen in 7 of the Last 10 Years, BLS Data Shows
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals oil and gas extraction employment dropped from 187,300 in January 2016 to 115,500 in January 2026, with the decline continuing into early 2026. Here's what the shrinking labor pool means for field service companies.
Ontario and Yukon Sign SMR Partnership, Opening Path to Remote Nuclear Power
Ontario Power Generation and Yukon Energy have agreed to collaborate on small modular reactor deployment, including potential applications at remote mines and off-grid communities.
DOL Proposes Unified Joint Employer Standard Under FLSA and Other Federal Laws
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule to create a single nationwide standard for joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal laws. The move aims to simplify compliance for businesses that rely on layered workforce arrangements.
Investing in Rig Worker Mental and Physical Health Delivers High ROI, Drilling Contractor Reports
A Noble Corp advisor's presentation at the IADC Annual General Meeting highlights the business case for prioritizing mental and physical health among rig crews, backed by alarming industry statistics on depression and suicide rates.
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Resigns Mid-Probe, Leaving OSHA and Prevailing Wage Policy in Flux
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned April 20 amid an inspector general investigation, putting Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling in charge of OSHA enforcement, Davis-Bacon oversight, and apprenticeship policy.
Republic Drill Co Marks 40-Plus Years Supporting Mining and Quarry Drilling Operations
Republic Drill Co offers drilling tools, supplies, and field support built on decades of surface mining and quarry experience. Here's what it signals for subcontractors working in aggregates and mining.
Small Construction Firms Account for 42% of Industry Deaths, CPWR Data Shows
Workers at construction companies with 10 or fewer employees made up 42.4% of industry fatalities in 2022, according to new CPWR research highlighting the outsized safety risks facing small firms and independent contractors.
Five Enemies of Field Safety: What Permian Basin Operators Are Getting Wrong
Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine identifies the top five safety challenges facing oil and gas operators, from complacency in hiring to documentation pitfalls and shortcuts on the job.
Construction Insurance Outlook 2026: What Rising Costs and Labor Gaps Mean for Your Coverage
With 92% of North American businesses citing material costs as a top concern and workforce shortages persisting, Construction Executive breaks down the insurance strategies subcontractors should be evaluating before 2026 renewals.
Fall Protection Protocols Every Construction Safety Manager Should Have in Place
Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in construction, yet most are preventable. Here's a breakdown of the prevention framework subcontractors need before the next OSHA walkthrough.
Economist Anirban Basu Flags Labor Shortage and High Interest Rates as Top Construction Threats in Q1 2026
Economist Anirban Basu outlines the key pressures on construction in early 2026, including a persistent labor shortage, tariff uncertainty, and interest rates that remain stubbornly high.
Oilfield Services Sector Added Nearly 1,900 Jobs in March, Data Shows
U.S. oilfield services employment climbed to 627,018 jobs in March, up 1,877 positions from February, according to new Energy Workforce & Technology Council data. Here's what the hiring uptick means for subcontractors competing for crews and contracts.
Austin Construction Market Hits $20.4 Billion as Skilled Labor Shortages Intensify
Austin-Round Rock construction starts reached $20.4 billion in 2025 and are projected to climb to $21.8 billion in 2026, but a tightening skilled labor pool is forcing contractors to rethink how they staff and sequence work.
Task-by-Task PPE Selection: A Practical Guide for Construction Crews
A role-based breakdown of PPE requirements for high-risk construction tasks, covering demolition, cleanup, and more, with guidance on selection, fit, and replacement for field teams.
Texas Panhandle Telecom Contractor Cuts Downtime With Vermeer HDD Switch
XIT Communications, covering 20 counties in the Texas Panhandle, replaced aging HDD equipment with Vermeer's D24x40 S3 and a parts consignment program to reduce jobsite downtime and improve crew productivity.
Bipartisan Senate Bill Targets Highway Work Zone Safety
Senators McCormick and Cortez Masto introduced the Safe Roads for Those Who Serve Act, which would tie infrastructure grant funding to roadside worker safety protections and require state highway worker safety plans.
Digital Collaboration vs. Competition: Drilling Industry Looks for Middle Ground
A Nabors Industries executive outlined a framework for balancing competitive interests with digital collaboration at the 2026 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference in Galveston.
Permian Gas Prices Go Negative as Flaring Surges and Downstream Shortages Grow
Natural gas prices in Texas have turned negative in some areas, forcing producers to flare excess supply while other markets face shortages. Here's what that pricing disconnect means for field service subcontractors.
Energy Services Jobs Fall for Third Straight Month in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma
U.S. energy services employment dropped to 624,149 in February, with Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma posting the steepest declines. Field service companies are being warned to plan for continued workforce contraction.
Colorado Contractor Deploys AI Progress Tracking to Cut Labor Hours on 200+ Projects
Hensel Phelps reports saving $342,000 and 3,000 labor hours using Track3D's AI platform, now expanding across entire project portfolio to reduce jobsite information management time.
Contractor Invests in Leadership Development to Combat Worker Shortage
Caliber 1 Construction CEO Chris Elliott discusses upstream workforce investment strategies as construction firms face persistent labor shortages and aging leadership.
Columbus Construction Boom Creates Field Service Opportunities Despite Labor Shortages
Columbus AEC industry sees sustained growth across data centers, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, but skilled labor shortages threaten project schedules.
Case Study: 95% Digital Adoption Among Field Crews in 90 Days
An underground utility contractor shares their playbook for transitioning 200 field workers from paper to digital ticketing. The key insight: technology wasn't the hard part.
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