Lake Charles Growth

[Slidellkid]

I am probably going to have an opportunity to transfer to Savannah, GA. Savannah is a cool city and it's not far from where I grew up. The deer hunting in the Low Country of S.C. is unrivaled. On the other hand, I really enjoy Louisiana and though I haven't become very proficient at it, I really enjoy saltwater fishing. There is decent fishing around Savannah but just a quick look at reports on Georgia Outdoor News and you can see that it is nowhere even close to being Louisiana.

One of the main reasons we would consider a move is so that I could be closer to my two brothers who remain in Georgia and S.C. Another reason is that my wife can't find a decent job in Deridder and we really need a second income, especially since I will be getting out of the Army reserves in the next year or so.

As an alternative to moving we thought about relocating to Moss Bluff. I have heard there are all kinds of new plants and facilities in Lake Charles that are being built, but I don't know what they are. Can any of you fellas tell me what is happening in Lake Charles in the next year? My wife wouldn't work in a plant unless she could do clerical work. She has 18 years of experience as a legal secretary but that pays chump change up around Derrider.

Thanks for any info you might have on what is going to be happening in Lake Charles.

Dan

[BassmanDan]

Yes, one economist said that there is about to be an "economic hurricane" in SW La. There is going to be over 45 BILLION invested by several large companies- but.... it is going to be a couple of years before that engine starts growling.
Sasol & others are just starting the groundwork. If you are in the construction industry, or are a plant operator, or instrument tech, you should be able to get a good-paying in about 2-5 years.
If you don't have those skills, you need to contact Sowela Tech and get enrolled. They can put you on the right path to a job paying $60-80K right out of technical school with an assiciates degree.
There will also be a HUGE influx of new residents of just about every stripe you can imagine. If you think the traffic is bad around here- just wait. Everything will be crowded- the stores, roads, schools, lakes, etc.
There will be great demand for just about anyone who can pass a drug test and/or drive. You won't recognize this place.

[Nickt87]

I've been to Savannah a few times. Great place to live! As far as Lake Charles, I'm afraid the place will turn into a BR within 10yrs with the urban sprawl, traffic, and crime.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Slidellkid

I am probably going to have an opportunity to transfer to Savannah, GA. Savannah is a cool city and it's not far from where I grew up. The deer hunting in the Low Country of S.C. is unrivaled. On the other hand, I really enjoy Louisiana and though I haven't become very proficient at it, I really enjoy saltwater fishing. There is decent fishing around Savannah but just a quick look at reports on Georgia Outdoor News and you can see that it is nowhere even close to being Louisiana.

One of the main reasons we would consider a move is so that I could be closer to my two brothers who remain in Georgia and S.C. Another reason is that my wife can't find a decent job in Deridder and we really need a second income, especially since I will be getting out of the Army reserves in the next year or so.

As an alternative to moving we thought about relocating to Moss Bluff. I have heard there are all kinds of new plants and facilities in Lake Charles that are being built, but I don't know what they are. Can any of you fellas tell me what is happening in Lake Charles in the next year? My wife wouldn't work in a plant unless she could do clerical work. She has 18 years of experience as a legal secretary but that pays chump change up around Derrider.

Thanks for any info you might have on what is going to be happening in Lake Charles.

Dan

You will be disappointed with the fishing around Savannah. I keep hearing about all the investment in LC and about how the economy is about to grow, but my wife and I (technical degrees) were not able to find employment in SW LA in spite of looking pretty hard.

If I had a foothold (one spouse employed), I think I would wait it out for a few years and see what opened up. Lake Charles has some of the best fishing in the world and is all around a great place to live and raise a family. I grew up there and my brother is raising his children now. I'd move back for a $50k annual salary.

[swamp snorkler]

Savannah is quickly turning in a very Democrapic area, I have friends that live there and own a business there and they are about to sell out retire and move to some property they bought inland.

[southern151]

I was told recently that from Houston to New Orleans, along the I-10 corridor, you should see in excess of $70b spent in the next 8 years on industrial growth. That means there will be a LOT of work coming to several key areas in the coming years. I feel that LC will see a large portion of that money being spent and, employment will spike there as a result.

[Purple Back]

Stay in LC, see map below.

Also, it is happening right now, not 3 years from now. These facilities have already began manning up. I just recently moved companies for more than double my salary.

[Spunt Drag]

Originally Posted by BassmanDan

Yes, one economist said that there is about to be an "economic hurricane" in SW La. There is going to be over 45 BILLION invested by several large companies- but.... it is going to be a couple of years before that engine starts growling.
Sasol & others are just starting the groundwork. If you are in the construction industry, or are a plant operator, or instrument tech, you should be able to get a good-paying in about 2-5 years.
If you don't have those skills, you need to contact Sowela Tech and get enrolled. They can put you on the right path to a job paying $60-80K right out of technical school with an assiciates degree.
There will also be a HUGE influx of new residents of just about every stripe you can imagine. If you think the traffic is bad around here- just wait. Everything will be crowded- the stores, roads, schools, lakes, etc.
There will be great demand for just about anyone who can pass a drug test and/or drive. You won't recognize this place.

This is not entirely true. If you were extremely lucky, you could get in an apprenticeship at one of the local facilities but even those are VERY VERY competitive. No facility will hire you without experience. It's a myth that Sowela and the trade schools are promoting. You will have to start out in construction as a helper or something similar and work your way up. Say what you want about organized labor, but because of their apprenticeship programs, they turned out highly skilled and experienced craftsman regularly. Sadly, this no longer exists, and when the old timers start to retire, you'll see a huge shortage of skilled labor.

[simplepeddler]

the numbers mentioned above are accurate........I don't completely agree that organized labor were/are the only ones turning out skilled labor.

ABC has been doing it for years and the Pelican chapter in Baton Rouge continues to recognized as a leader in merit shop training.

Don't want to pick a fight over union vs labor ...........but I see niether as the "only" route.

With regards to experience, yes I see the TOP companies like Shell and Motiva (one in the same) as experience only places.........however, companies like Sasol where there is complete startup will indeed teach new comers.

Companies that are operating today simply cannot afford to not have expereience. Things blow up when rookies are at the helm.

Conversely, where everyone is potentially a "rookie" systems are in place to manage to the education levels.

You must also look into the "Service" industry to the mega expansions......places like wholesale valves, electrical, metal, pipe, safety, even nuts and bolts distributors are looking for good hard working young people.......

I myself have carved out quite a career selling to the plants and contractors that work in them.

[Spunt Drag]

Originally Posted by simplepeddler

the numbers mentioned above are accurate........I don't completely agree that organized labor were/are the only ones turning out skilled labor.

ABC has been doing it for years and the Pelican chapter in Baton Rouge continues to recognized as a leader in merit shop training.

Don't want to pick a fight over union vs labor ...........but I see niether as the "only" route.

With regards to experience, yes I see the TOP companies like Shell and Motiva (one in the same) as experience only places.........however, companies like Sasol where there is complete startup will indeed teach new comers.

Companies that are operating today simply cannot afford to not have expereience. Things blow up when rookies are at the helm.

Conversely, where everyone is potentially a "rookie" systems are in place to manage to the education levels.

You must also look into the "Service" industry to the mega expansions......places like wholesale valves, electrical, metal, pipe, safety, even nuts and bolts distributors are looking for good hard working young people.......

I myself have carved out quite a career selling to the plants and contractors that work in them.

Sasol will hire operations people with no experience but a craftsman i.e. electrician, instrument tech, machinist will not get hired on with no experience. I don't care how much schooling you have.

As far as merit shops like ABC, unless you are currently workin in the field you are going to ABC for, then there is simply no way you can go sit in a classroom 2 hours a night, twice a week, for 2 years and become a journeyman in your craft. It simply doesn't compute because in the end you still have no experience. The next 10 years will tell the tale on how lacking our craft training is. For the past 20 years our education system has taught that the only measure of self worth in life is a college degree. People like plumbers, welders, carpenters, and painters were classless and "dirty jobs". That chicken is fidna come home to roost. Bring back quality training programs, or learn Espanol.

Lengthy but good

Mike Rowe Talks to Congress - YouTube

Mike Rowe Talks to Congress - YouTube

[specktator]

Lafayette, LA was just voted number 1 city in America to live a few weeks ago. Just sayin

[weedeater]

What experience do you have now? There are plants here that hire without a degree or experience along with oilfield service, supply companies, construction jobs and with the experience your wife has she should be able to find something to get started with here and then move to a better job.

[Reggoh]

Originally Posted by Spunt Drag

Sasol will hire operations people with no experience but a craftsman i.e. electrician, instrument tech, machinist will not get hired on with no experience. I don't care how much schooling you have.

As far as merit shops like ABC, unless you are currently workin in the field you are going to ABC for, then there is simply no way you can go sit in a classroom 2 hours a night, twice a week, for 2 years and become a journeyman in your craft. It simply doesn't compute because in the end you still have no experience.

This is good advice... I work for an Industrial Electrical contractor based in SW LA and I can tell you that we highly promote ABC school by giving an extra $1/hr to helpers that attend school after work.

Guys that complete craft training at Sowela and ABC are still classified as Entry Level (Top Helper) until they get the field experience. Now I will say that these guys typically advance faster than non-trained employees but it's not overnight.

We are already starting to see the advance planning stages of the predicted construction boom. All 3 of the LNG facilities are doing work right now in preparation for their upcoming expansions. There will be ALOT of work in the Lake Charles area in the next 5-10 years... all of these expansions will require new skilled labor... now is the time to get that experience.

These new facilities will also be increasing pay and benefits to lure experienced craftsmen from some of the other local plants... someone has to take their spots.

[Slidellkid]

Thanks for the input fellas. I don't need a job as I have a good one at Fort Polk; however, the wife has not been able to find anything worthwhile up here in Deridder. Sounds like she should get into a staffing or something like that as there appears that there is going to be a huge boom.

I know the fishing in Savannah will not be as good as LA.

We also have to consider our "grown" children. One lives at home with us and works at a
Ford dealership and my daughter just started LSU. My ex-wife lives in Kinder so my daughter would not be without family.

I don't think the wife could cut it as a trades person, maybe she should get her CDL license and start a Hotshot business!

[scott craft]

I'm interested to see how all of this new construction affects things here in Lake Charles. It should be a great time for those who work construction and for operators and craftsmen already working permanent jobs there will probably be some good opportunities to make a move.

[simplepeddler]

[QUOTE=Reggoh;622335]This is good advice... I work for an Industrial Electrical contractor based in SW LA and I can tell you that we highly promote ABC school by giving an extra $1/hr to helpers that attend school after work.

Guys that complete craft training at Sowela and ABC are still classified as Entry Level (Top Helper) until they get the field experience. Now I will say that these guys typically advance faster than non-trained employees but it's not overnight.

We are already starting to see the advance planning stages of the predicted construction boom. All 3 of the LNG facilities are doing work right now in preparation for their upcoming expansions. There will be ALOT of work in the Lake Charles area in the next 5-10 years... all of these expansions will require new skilled labor... now is the time to get that experience.


Electrical distribution for 30 years now........and for 30 years we have been talking about the skilled labor shortage......it ebbs and flows.....time is the issue.

Still today kids that work hard, keep a clean head and pass a pee test can work themselves up to six figures in this state.