Permanent employment in the US construction sector witnessed an upturn in March, new figures have shown.

According to the April report from the Labor Department, the unemployment rate in the construction industry fell slightly to 20 percent in March - down from 21.8 percent in February 2011 and 24.9 percent in the same month last year.

Heavy and civil construction and engineering gained 2,400 jobs in March. However, the trade contractor segment did not fare as well, shedding 6,700 positions during the month.

In total, non-residential building construction now supports 658,100 jobs in the US.

Overall, data from the Bureau for Labor Statistics showed that the number of people employed in non-farm payroll jobs in the US increased by 216,000 in March - bolstered by significant recruitment in the healthcare, leisure and hospitality sectors.

"The employment estimates for March indicate that the nation's economic recovery continues to gain steam," added Associated Builders and Contractors chief economist Anirban Basu.