The construction industry’s employment levels continue to improve, as the sector added 17,000 jobs in May, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

In the past year, the industry has added 273,000 jobs overall, driving down the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent — its lowest since 2006, the association said.

 “Construction employers continue to expand headcount as they adjust to growing demand for their services in many parts of the country," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Right now the two most likely obstacles to the industry's continued expansion are growing labor shortages and political gridlock that could curtail public sector investments in infrastructure and construction."