Nov 17, 2009 By Herald Standard Staff 2 min read

PA CareerLink will hold an informational session on getting jobs in the gas industry at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn, Uniontown. “Know what a roustabout is? Get out the dictionary. It will soon become a commonly used term in our region. The natural gas industry is growing and bringing jobs into the area. Unfortunately many of our good workers in need of such jobs do not know how to access them, and they are being taken by out-of-state workers more familiar with the industry network. PA Careerlink – Fayette has designed a program to level the playing field and create a pipeline of Pennsylvania workers into gas industry jobs,” according to Barb Peters, CareerLink specialist.

The informational session on what the gas industry jobs are and how to access them or how to get training and build a career in the gas industry is free to all jobseekers, she said.

Those who attend the 11 a.m. session also will be invited to attend the Veterans Employment and Educational Fair being held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the pool area of the Holiday Inn where other job opportunities will be available. “What specific jobs are required within the gas industry? Labor positions make up 20 percent of the jobs and offer many well-paid entry-level positions for high school graduates who have a good work ethic. Another 20 percent of the jobs are general office positions. Ten percent of the jobs are for off-road truck drivers, CDL – class A with tanker and hazmat endorsements and some companies provide training,” Peters said.

“Heavy equipment operator jobs take up 17 percent of the positions. Semi-skilled technicians, inspectors, welders, mechanics, water haulers, cement workers, loggers, engineers and landsmen positions are also needed in the industry.

“Roughly 75 percent of the positions are needed in the drilling phase and require regional travel to various drilling sites and a strong work ethic for good family-sustaining pay and per diem travel compensation. Another 25 percent of the positions will be in the production phase requiring less travel and more stable work situation but requiring more post secondary training or certification,” she said.

For more information please call Peters at PA Careerlink – Fayette at 724-434-5627 extension 135.