Oil and gas industrial work continues to be a bright spot for employment across the country, with Louisiana and West Virginia seeing recent success in the industry.
According to the Thibodaux Daily Comet, mining, primarily led by oil and gas extraction, saw the biggest leap in job growth in 2012, with the total number of jobs increasing by 14.7 percent. According to the news source, that represents 776 new jobs being added to the industry in the year in total.
A large portion of the increases were due to increased oil and gas production and needs across the country, as well as additional ability to find workers and create a workforce with apt skill in various trades.
Similarly, the industry's growth in West Virginia was very positive, according to the Associated Press. From 2011 to 2012, employment in that time increased by 20 percent, with 2,123 jobs added to its fold in that time.
The great numbers were somewhat mitigated by uncertainty revolving around the number of jobs that went to West Virginia residents compared to those that went to non-residents of the state.