Oil Leak Fuels Jobs

Although the oil leak in the Gulf is an awful event, this leak is fueling a mini job boom in the Gulf of Mexico.  Companies that specialize in environmental clean up and protection have been called onto the scene to help prevent oil from intoxicating additional bodies of water.

While these companies thrive in these crises they like everyone else don’t want these things to happen. And while businesses that are dedicated to the clean up are booming those businesses (fishermen, restaurant workers, charter boat captains and tourism employees) that rely on the Gulf as a clean body of water are in the balance. 

In the short term one may think that these fishermen, restaurant workers, boat captains and tourism employees are waiting for the leak to be contained and cleaned up in hopes of returning to work, but they too are actually reaping the benefits of the leak.

It’s been reported that BP has hired more than 20,000 people as part of response to the April 20^th accident and these contractors and subcontractors that BP has brought in have taken up residence along the coast of FL, AL, MS, and LA which is keeping these coastal towns busy trying to provide food and shelter to these (hopefully) temporary residents. 

Jobs to assist in the clean up have been posted and thousands have applied for the 500 available clean-up jobs.  Those with environmental or haz-mat certifications are being hired, and those without certifications are trying to get certified as quickly as possible as the demand for work is so great.

 

While there are jobs to be found for those who qualify, we must not forget that loved ones were lost on April 20^th and that oil has been contaminating our oceans for more than a month.  While there are jobs to be found now, the long term price is massive.  And if the leak cannot be contained there may be many more people out of work.

How do you feel about the situation in the Gulf?  We want to hear from you!