Wyo.'s uranium, wind industries short of workers

Wyoming has seen rapid growth recently in wind projects, and uranium companies are looking to ramp up mining in the state. Both must compete for workers with the booming oil, gas and coal industries.

"Labor is an issue, skilled labor, top to bottom," Glenn Catchpole, president of Uranerz Energy Corp. in Casper, said during a break in Thursday's summit held at the University of Wyoming.

Chuck Foldenauer of Cameco Resources, which operates the only active uranium mine in Wyoming near Glenrock, said uranium mining companies are in need of workers for jobs ranging from construction to chemists.

"As the coal mines expand, and they are, and as more uranium mines come into production, and they will, it's just going to continue to be a very difficult problem," Foldenauer said.

Cameco employs 160 people in Wyoming and is currently looking to fill 30 additional positions, he said.

"I think availability of managers and geologists has definitely slowed down some projects with our company as well as other companies and other industries," Foldenauer said.

In trying to fill the jobs, Cameco is recruiting in Wyoming and nationwide, working with colleges and improving wages and benefits, he said.

Jonathon Naughton, director of the UW Wind Energy Research Center, said the rapidly growing wind energy industry has resulted in a need for more workers in the field.

"They can't hire the people they need for wind energy," Naughton said.