The Los Angeles Times reports that although California did not see an increase in construction jobs last month, the nation as a whole added 14,000 jobs in April, the second month in a row to see gains in that sector.

Since the start of the recession in 2006, hiring by U.S. construction companies had been at a standstill, say the Times, but partly due to federal stimulus dollars for infrastructure and a gradually improving housing market, companies are again starting to hire.  In fact, 29 states saw improvements in the construction sector.  The figures were reported Friday by the Associated General Contractors of America.