Our discussions, articles, webinars ( see www.thealbertinstitute.com) and the June 25th Career Talk on KQV will feature career information as it relates to the exploration for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale formations expanding Western Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia and Southeast Ohio. Let us begin with observation and comment. The following chart outlines education requirements for careers in natural gas:
As you can see, more than 50% of this chart represents careers that do not require a four year or advanced college degree. In fact, many labor or equipment operator positions do not require a high school diploma. Employers working in the Marcellus Shale region currently cannot find enough workers to fill these positions despite the fact that even entry-level jobs in these categories pay workers a livable wage. The industry has to import workers from Texas, Louisiana, etc. to fill these jobs. Why are companies having a difficult time filling these positions with local workers?
A career education program help to improve student motivation and academic performance, and helps them choose careers that they are interested in.
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It seems to me that it's going to be up to the next generation of workers (as it pertains to the Shale Industry) to make the transition away from 4-year colleges to 2-year schools and trade schools, apprenticeship programs, etc. Four-year colleges and graduate schools still have value, but it appears the number of jobs that will be available in the near future will not favor those traditional institutions.
ReplyDeleteThat certainly seems to be the trend here in southwest Pennsylvania. Shale work in particular is a young man's game. That's not to say others could not do the work, but the reality is that the work is physical, requires a lot of time away from home and is performed in all weather conditions. Workers grow up in this industry and become conditioned over time.
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