HARRISBURG – January 13, 2012 – Dozens of educators from across Greene County today joined state Sen. Tim Solobay and state Rep. Bill DeWeese to discuss ways to prepare today’s young students for careers in the burgeoning energy exploration industry.
Solobay and DeWeese invited industry representatives to meet with teachers and school counselors for a summit on education strategies in a new economy hosted by the Greene County Career and Technology Center in Waynesburg.
“The economy is moving into a new era and we have to make sure local workers aren’t left behind,” Solobay said. “The energy industry is creating jobs that require a wide variety of training and experience. Not all students are inclined toward college and many new jobs require specialized training that doesn’t include a degree.”
The event was part of a series of forums Solobay is hosting across the Southwest region to make sure the growth in energy exploration includes a prepared local workforce.
“This meeting of the minds – between gas industry representatives and high school educators – represents a crucial and forward-looking step, as we cultivate ways to groom high school students for good-paying jobs of the future,” said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. “We should all be excited about the possibilities, which appear to be endless for those with the proper vocational skills and training.”
Pam Snyder, the chair of Greene County’s Board of Commissioners, said the forum supports a countywide effort to improve opportunity in a region that had struggled through past changes in the economy.
“The best resource we have here is our kids, and I want to do what’s best for them,” she said. “We have an opportunity now to train people and provide the jobs that will keep our children right here at home.”
Industry representatives discussed a broad array of employment opportunities, including some that require no experience other than a strong record of high school success and a willingness to learn through on-the-job training.
Company officials are worried that it will be difficult to replace a skilled, but aging, workforce.
“There are not a lot of young people coming along and there are a lot of older people with skills retiring,” said Brian Turk, director of government affairs for Alpha Natural Resources.
Solobay said the effort to keep educators and job creators working together will continue.
“This is not a three or five year opportunity,” he said. “This is a lifetime opportunity for our high school students and even our grade-school students. There will be a lot to do for a long time.”
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