Harlow Group will create 49 jobs when it opens its first U.S. precision sheet metal fabrication plant in Virginia.

On behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors, Mike Holland, chief operating officer, MAREK Companies, testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the need to modernize and expand apprenticeship opportunities in the United States. 

Associated Builders and Contractors and the U.S. Veterans Business Alliance signed an agreement during ABC’s annual convention in Long Beach, California, to expand the participation of veteran- and disabled veteran-owned businesses in the construction industry.

While the overall U.S. remains strong, the construction industry is not fully benefiting from the nation’s overall gains, an industry group says.

The figures are a rebound from March, which saw a loss of 10,000 jobs.

Much of the HVAC construction industry, especially those in the residential realm, is comprised of small shops or even one or two-person operations. Many of these “pocket contractors” operate as sole proprietors.