Pocono News Section

Job Seekers Banking on Marcellus Shale

Job Seekers Banking on Marcellus Shale - Friday, April 30, 2010 at 04:12AM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday April 30 2010
WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY- A career expo in Williamsport Friday attracted hundreds of job seekers hoping to cash in on Pennsylvania's rich supply of natural gas. And it's not too late for you to get in on the action. Like hundreds of others who showed up here, Dave Webb, of Selinsgrove, is pinning his hopes for the future on natural gas.

Webb said, "I'm a welder and I've been laid off since March of last year. And I just came out here to see how things are going to work with all this."

Drilling company representatives we spoke with say, make no mistake, they have plenty of jobs that need to be filled. Precision Drilling human resources representative Tammy Yonkin explained, "I currently have 10 active rigs in the state of Pennsylvania. And of course we're looking to expand that number. I have at least 15 crew members per rig. And we're definitely looking for the career-minded person that wants to join us for the long haul."

The expo's organizers say now is the time to get involved if you're looking for a career in the gas industry. They tell Eyewitness News there are plenty of positions available for men, women, young, and old alike.

The Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Penn College, and Career Link sponsored the expo, which continues Saturday. They say they want to make sure local workers have every opportunity to earn the available jobs.

Williamsport/ Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Jason Fink noted, "We're looking to be able to get people associated with the Halliburtons, the Chesapeakes, those types of companies that people hear about. They're going to be in our community."

That kind of potential was music to the ears of those who showed up here with high hopes. Webb added, "It's pretty tough, especially raising a kid on your own, you know? And unemployment just isn't cutting it right now, so I gotta find a job."

Saturday's career fair runs from 9am-2pm. It will be set up inside the field house at Penn College.