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Construction in Oregon continued to outpace other major industries in employment and ranked tied for fifth nationally in terms of year-over-year growth, according to a pair of recently issued reports.

The industry in Oregon added 8,100 jobs, an 11.8 percent increase, since Nov. 2012, according to seasonally adjusted data released by the Oregon Employment Department.

“By far, construction is growing more rapidly than other industries during that period,” said David Cooke, an economist for the Employment Department. “A lot of that is the demand for new construction of single family homes and multifamily housing in the state.”

Statewide construction employment growth has been concentrated in four key areas: the Portland metropolitan area (including Clark County), Bend, Medford and the Columbia Gorge. Growth in Eugene and Salem has been relatively flat, according to the reporter

Cooke said he expects the upward trend in construction activity should continue into spring and early summer. That should bode well for workers with construction skills who have been out of the industry due to low demand for residential construction in recent years, according to the report.

Compared with other states, Oregon ranks in the top five nationally in year-over-year employment growth, said Kenneth D. Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, based in Arlington, Va.

Oregon’s employment has been rising on a year-over-year basis since March with the rate increasing for the past five months, Simonson said.

“I consider this a strong and robust result, not a fluke,” Simonson said.