Energy Revolution Creates Career Opportunities For Women And Minorities

Minorities are projected to fill an unprecedented number of jobs in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries—increasing from one-quarter of total jobs in 2010 to one-third by 2030—according to a new IHS report sponsored by API.

“The oil and natural gas industry pays wages significantly higher than the national average and can provide tremendous career opportunities for women and minorities,” said Jack Gerard, API President and CEO. “To lower unemployment and shrink the income inequality gap without spending a dime of taxpayer money, we encourage President Obama to embrace this pro-development energy opportunity.”

Of up to 1.3 million new job opportunities in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries predicted by 2030, almost 408,000 positions—32 percent of the total—are projected to be held by African American and Hispanic workers, according to the report. Women are estimated to fill 185,000 of those jobs, and 63 percent of new job opportunities will be in blue collar professions.

“We have the natural resources and the technology to be a global energy superpower with all the economic and national security benefits that entails,” Gerard said. “Smart energy policy will create tremendous opportunity for hundreds of thousands of workers –from those with just a high school diploma and some post-secondary training to those with post-graduate degrees.”

"As the study highlights job opportunities, it signals the tremendous need to prepare African Americans, Hispanics and Women to be ready to fill the workforce gap", said Paula Jackson, president and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. "These jobs in the oil and natural gas industry don't just put people to work, they help to transform communities."

“This powerful and important report is a road map for workforce development stakeholders to align the content of their training with a sense of urgency to adequately prepare people for energy jobs,” said José L. Pérez, chairman and CEO Of Hispanics In Energy. “Energy job replacement and growth is a clear pathway for diverse communities to rise from poverty to middle-class, what a rare opportunity."

The IHS report, Minority and Female Employment in the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Industries (2014), examines the employment outlook of African American and Hispanic workers and employment by gender in six industry segments: the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry; petrochemical industry; capital investment in oil and natural gas transportation and storage infrastructure; and capital investment in the petrochemicals industry.

About API
API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 590 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.