The Marcellus Shale Coalition Tuesday released the results of its annual workforce survey. The findings – based on 2013 data – were provided by a large majority of MSC member companies, representing nearly 95 percent of Pennsylvania’s shale production.

“Shale development represents a generational opportunity for our Commonwealth. Since day one, our industry has focused on fostering the growth of a skilled and well-trained local workforce to ensure that lifelong opportunities are being fully realized,” said MSC president Dave Spigelmyer. “These collaborative and ongoing efforts – industry groups, member companies and other key stakeholders working closely with a host of educational institutions as well as trade schools – continue to deliver strong results in the form of new jobs for our region’s workforce, as reflected again in this survey data.”

Key survey highlights include:

— 26.5 percent of new hires work in engineering and construction, 23 percent of new hires work in equipment operations; 15.2 percent in operations and maintenance, 8 percent in administration, 7 percent in land and 5 percent in environmental, health & safety;

— 83 percent of new hires came from Marcellus Shale [Pa., Oh., W.Va., N.Y., Md.] states;

— Positions most difficult to fill;

— Workforce diversity; and

— Recruitment methods and challenges, including educational and professional training needs.

According to the survey data, MSC member companies expect to hire more than 2,000 new employees in 2014. The survey also indicates that the majority of new hires are in three sub-sectors and are weighted more so in southwestern Pennsylvania: engineering and construction; midstream and pipeline; and operations and maintenance.

“Attracting and retaining a high-quality, local workforce is a key tenet of our Guiding Principles. By nearly all metrics – and with Pennsylvania’s unemployment at its lowest level since September 2008 and well below the national average – we continue to make positive progress on this important commitment, helping to create opportunities for those seeking work in our growing industry. And while some challenges still exist, this survey helps identify gaps to refine and better direct our collective efforts aimed at boosting local job growth for years to come.”

A copy of the survey is available online.

The MSC Job Portal, workforce survey results and other helpful resources are available online. Please also visit UnitedShaleAdvocates.com to join the industry’s growing grassroots movement in support responsible, job-creating shale development.

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8/4/2014