The "Great Education Myth" as Sirota calls it.

cfm in Gray, ME

I keep reading posts about the lack of skilled workers in the energy industry in the US. We have spent the last 30 years telling kids the future lays in computer software. What I'm reading tells me all those kids should have learned welding, mechanics, and construction skills instead. There is even a lack of drivers for 18-wheelers. My brother paid for college by working at McDonald's. He worked for 15 years as a systems analyst. His job was outsourced. He's back working at McDonald's.

There's a great 90 day course to learn the skills to work on a land drilling rig through the Midland, Texas community college. I'd bet money that with a little hands-on experience and his computer skills he could get an extremely good job with any number of oil service companies in domestic exploration and production.