<p>For decades, since the demise of the steel industry and other manufacturing that provided a middle class living to their forebears, young people growing up in Pennsylvania have had to look out of state for good blue-collar jobs.</p><p>But the natural gas industry's foray into the region holds out hope for more employment, at higher wages. “I have never seen an opportunity like this, ever,” says Larry Michael, executive director of workforce and economic development at Pennsylvania College of Technology, who spearheaded a study on the new industry's need for workers. “Words absolutely cannot describe what is going on.”</p><p>Read article: "<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101022-energy-marcellus-shale-gas-jobs-economic/">A Drive for New Jobs Through Energy</a>"</p>

Celebrate Good Times

For decades, since the demise of the steel industry and other manufacturing that provided a middle class living to their forebears, young people growing up in Pennsylvania have had to look out of state for good blue-collar jobs.

But the natural gas industry's foray into the region holds out hope for more employment, at higher wages. “I have never seen an opportunity like this, ever,” says Larry Michael, executive director of workforce and economic development at Pennsylvania College of Technology, who spearheaded a study on the new industry's need for workers. “Words absolutely cannot describe what is going on.”

Read article: "A Drive for New Jobs Through Energy"

Photograph by Scott Goldsmith, National Geographic

A State Booms with New Energy

Hopes are high that jobs will flow as fast as the natural gas in the energy boom that has hit Pennsylvania, although locals are finding the new work is not necessarily on the drilling rig.

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth
Titanic was found during secret Cold War Navy mission

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet