Marcellus Shale drilling activity brings jobs

In many cases, communities see increases in employment thanks to drilling opportunities.

In West Virginia, for example, employment from the Marcellus Shale drilling accounted for 36,700 new jobs in June 2012, higher than during the same period last year, The Charleston Gazette reports. The industry overall is expected to generate many more jobs, according to a study from IHS Global Insight, which found that by 2035, the number of people employed in the Shale gas sector will rise by 1 million.

In an interview with the newspaper, Mike Clowers, executive director of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, said that there were quite a few roles for those with the right skills.

"A lot of our members are working in the Marcellus Shale industry. Water and sewer contractors are putting in lines, highway contractors are putting in roads, aggregate suppliers are supplying stone to these projects,” said Clowers.  “We are seeing a pretty good market for our membership that are now working in the oil and gas industry that were not involved in this process five years ago."

On the East Coast, many employers are seeking to fill positions through job fairs. The Associated Press reported that the first ever shale gas job fair was held in Binghamton, New York, with many opportunities available.

Content provided by executive search organization, MRINetwork.