A recent survey of 37 energy companies in southwestern Pennsylvania found some 7,000 jobs will need to be filled between now and 2020, jobs that are critical to ongoing operations.
That’s according to the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, which conducted the survey. CEO Dennis Yablonsky said with more than 1,000 energy companies in the greater region, the job needs are likely much higher. The problem is finding enough skilled workers to fill those jobs.
Enter the Appalachia Partnership Initiative.
“This is a four-year, $20 million effort developed to address STEM education and workforce development in 27 counties across southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio,” said Nigel Hearne, president of Chevron Appalachia.
Chevron will partner with the Allegheny Conference, the Benedum Foundation and the RAND Corporation to build STEM programs in regional middle and high schools which will include hands-on learning, teacher training and coordination with technical schools and community colleges.
“We will create new, or improved, workforce development programs integrated through those curriculum resources, supply chain connections, post-high school training programs, internships and life skills development,” Hearne said.
Energy companies have identified 14 high-demand but low-supply areas, and Allegheny Conference’s Yablonsky said they require different levels of training.
“The bulk of these jobs, jobs with good pay, good benefits, family-sustaining jobs, do not require a four-year degree,” said Yablonsky, “but they do require a detailed level of STEM understanding — science, technology, engineering and math – they do need those kinds of skills.”
There are also jobs that do require a four-year degree or higher in the energy industry.
Chevron is investing $130 for the partnership, in the hopes it spurs further investment from other organizations.
“The ultimate goal is that companies that seek to hire people are able to do so,” said Trip Oliver with Chevron, “and that this region is able to benefit from the opportunities the new energy economy is providing them today, as well as providing the people of this region these skills and the opportunity to benefit from those job opportunities.”
Though announced Tuesday, work is already underway on this initiative through Project Lead the Way, a K-12 STEM program and ShaleNET, a workforce training program. These will be expanded under the Appalachia Partnership Initiative. In addition, Carnegie Mellon is funding development of an Energy Lab in the Elizabeth Forward and Bethlehem Center school districts.
