Job Openings Hit Record High, Economy Running Out of Workers

A construction worker stands on a floor of a building under construction on October 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

WASHINGTON–Job openings surged to a record high in December, led by vacancies in the construction and accommodation and food services sectors, strengthening analysts’ views that the economy was running out of workers.

While the release of the Labor Department’s monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) on Feb. 12 underscored labor market strength, there are worries the shortage of workers could hurt an economic expansion that has lasted 9-1/2 years and is the second longest on record.