The energy field is filled with a myriad of jobs, professions and careers. Particularly, with the expansion of the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays in southwestern Pennsylvania, the energy field is creating and sustaining new jobs. One such division of the energy field that is generating a majority of these occupations is the oil and gas industry.
Catering to the oil and gas industry, Steel Center, a state-of-the-art career and technical school, sponsored a forum that supported homegrown oil and gas jobs. On Tuesday, April 22nd, the forum was held at Baldwin High School in the high school auditorium.
Versatile energy professionals involved in the forum included: Keely Martin, Sr. Human Resources Consultant, NiSource Corporate Services Company; Brynnly Schwartz, Communications & Community Relations Specialist, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania; J. Michael Koon, Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development, West Virginia Northern Community College; Eric Cowden, Community Outreach Manager, Marcellus Shale Coalition; and Robert Boulware, Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Seneca Resources.
The forum featured a variety of discussion surrounding oil and gas topics. Correspondingly, the shale oil and gas forum mainly focused on Pennsylvania jobs, the aspect of safety and how the industry is up-and-coming.
Martin started off the discussion, explaining the impact of the Marcellus and Utica plays on Pennsylvania’s economy. Specifically, Martin highlighted that these two shale plays have cracked the job market right open.
Martin said, “The job market in southwestern Pennsylvania is growing. The possibilities are really endless. The industry is endless. Here at NiSource, we’ll have entry level technicians come in and years down the road, they become managers of departments. Not only are these jobs sustainable, but the promotion opportunities are endless as we grow as a company.”
Sparking additional conversation, Koon spoke in regards to oil and gas trickling down into ancillary industries. This proliferating trickle-down effect is benefiting supplementary industries, such as steel, water, cementing and manufacturing fields and companies.
“This is the tip of the iceberg and this industry is here to stay in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Koon said. “The Marcellus and Utica deposits are not only creating upstream, midstream and downstream jobs, but they are also creating jobs in ancillary industries. Quite honestly, the future of manufacturing in the Tri-State region is probably going to be dependent on this energy source.”
Cowden jumped in the conversation, expounding on what opportunities the Marcellus and Utica plays have to offer. Cowden said, “The opportunities are definitely there, considering a lot of the jobs are right here in the core of southwestern Pennsylvania. The take-home message should be that there are a diversified range of jobs available in the energy sector.”
Wrapping up the roundtable conversation, panelists stressed that there is a vast array of professions in the energy sector, specifically in the oil and gas industry. The natural gas that is being pulled out of the ground and harnessed for a source of energy and fuel, in the Tri-State region, is creating both blue-collar and white-collar jobs.
Blue-collar jobs being created are ranging from construction workers to electricians and to onsite equipment operators. On the other hand, a plethora of white-collar jobs are also being created. Geologists, engineers, accountants and marketing representatives are a few. In the realm of the energy sector, as it goes for jobs, the possibilities are endless.