Discussion
Im contemplating a total change of career unfortunately I have only a set of average GCSE's , a handful of bad A levels and two failed stints at Uni academic wise and am currently stuck in a public service job I detest and have been for 5 years I have done many jobs and never been without employment but can say I never really enjoyed any of them I have just turned 30 and even though im trying to progress where I am at present I feel it will only stave off my hate of the job for so long .
I have heard the rigs are reasonable pay to start and you can work your way up quickly and also the idea of a few weeks on and a few weeks off appeals as I could retrain or start a business in my spare time does anybody have any experience or can point me in the direction of some good information ?
I have heard the rigs are reasonable pay to start and you can work your way up quickly and also the idea of a few weeks on and a few weeks off appeals as I could retrain or start a business in my spare time does anybody have any experience or can point me in the direction of some good information ?
What do you do/want to do? Roustabouts/drillfloor grunts usually get taken on temporarily, then if they fit in rewarded with contracts. Promotion up to roughneck will be purely on performance. Above that you start to need qualifications for stuff. It might be worth getting your BOSIET ticket, but that's pricey if you're paying for it. Get thee to Aberdeen and doorstep the recruitment agencies, at the entry level little seems to happen if you just send them CVs and apply online as there are so many wanting to do it(not all like it or are welcome back so churn is quite high).
hidetheelephants said:
What do you do/want to do? Roustabouts/drillfloor grunts usually get taken on temporarily, then if they fit in rewarded with contracts. Promotion up to roughneck will be purely on performance. Above that you start to need qualifications for stuff. It might be worth getting your BOSIET ticket, but that's pricey if you're paying for it. Get thee to Aberdeen and doorstep the recruitment agencies, at the entry level little seems to happen if you just send them CVs and apply online as there are so many wanting to do it(not all like it or are welcome back so churn is quite high).
Thankyou , do you work the rigs yourself or are you in recruitment ? As for what I want to do I have a lack of training so yeah I am in at shopfloor level I would really like a brief idea of what to expect and where it can take me .AreseV6 said:
Thankyou , do you work the rigs yourself or are you in recruitment ? As for what I want to do I have a lack of training so yeah I am in at shopfloor level I would really like a brief idea of what to expect and where it can take me .
I'm not on the rigs or in recruitment. A roustabout is basically unskilled labour; chipping, painting, cleaning, fetching and carrying. If you have a practical streak and a brain they won't leave you doing that very long; being keen, doing what you're told, finishing the tasks you're given quickly and well, being the brew b
h(well maybe not). To be honest, I imagine you need to be a bit more specific than "I want to work on the rigs because the pay is good and you get rotation" - what skills can you offer - working at height experience, working in a HSE intensive environment etc.
I know being a roustabout needs very little in the way of education or training, but you still need to have the relevant (and super expensive) qualifications to get out there (HUET, medical) as a OIM, DD or Company Man needs - paying for them yourself would be a huge gold star on your CV, but it is a gamble - if you can get a company to put you through them, then that is the way to go.
I am not an expert on how you go about landing a job like that - I know here in Norway a lot of the crews basically go to school (the equivalent of a technical collage) to get some useful skills before getting an offshore job - being Norwegians helps them too with the government regulations forcing companies to employ a lot of them. In the UK I can't be much help, sorry - would probably try to get hold of someone in Aberdeen direct and ask them - the Scotland forum has an "offshore at the moment?" thread where a lot of oil types post - couldn't hurt to ask in there.
I know being a roustabout needs very little in the way of education or training, but you still need to have the relevant (and super expensive) qualifications to get out there (HUET, medical) as a OIM, DD or Company Man needs - paying for them yourself would be a huge gold star on your CV, but it is a gamble - if you can get a company to put you through them, then that is the way to go.
I am not an expert on how you go about landing a job like that - I know here in Norway a lot of the crews basically go to school (the equivalent of a technical collage) to get some useful skills before getting an offshore job - being Norwegians helps them too with the government regulations forcing companies to employ a lot of them. In the UK I can't be much help, sorry - would probably try to get hold of someone in Aberdeen direct and ask them - the Scotland forum has an "offshore at the moment?" thread where a lot of oil types post - couldn't hurt to ask in there.
hidetheelephants said:
What do you do/want to do? Roustabouts/drillfloor grunts usually get taken on temporarily, then if they fit in rewarded with contracts. Promotion up to roughneck will be purely on performance. Above that you start to need qualifications for stuff. It might be worth getting your BOSIET ticket, but that's pricey if you're paying for it. Get thee to Aberdeen and doorstep the recruitment agencies, at the entry level little seems to happen if you just send them CVs and apply online as there are so many wanting to do it(not all like it or are welcome back so churn is quite high).
Good advice right there.Moved up last week a week after my job offer. Currently writing this from the BOSIET training room at falck nutec. Helicopter escape training yesterday was fun!
FYI the 3 day course costs about £850 and although isn't legally required to go offshore is actually required and standard for most if not all companies.
hidetheelephants said:
Get thee to Aberdeen and doorstep the recruitment agencies, at the entry level little seems to happen if you just send them CVs and apply online as there are so many wanting to do it(not all like it or are welcome back so churn is quite high).
Best advice you will get when trying to break into the industry.Its not all money and leave, although thats what most of us do it for but you have to want to work away from home as well otherwise it will be the end of you home life, rememeber you will be missing family weddings, partys, friends gatherings babys being born, all kinds!
lots of ppl assume its a great job because of the money, but getting stuck in a compound in nigeria waiting for 3-7 days for a chopper to rig aint much fun! and then the rig is bogging also!
some platforms are very nice esp in north sea som are very old and reqire some guts to live/work there.
the ppl are a whole kettle of fish as you get all kinds offshore
but if the craic is good it can be bloody excellent!! working 12hr shifts is good too.
not trying to put any dampners on it just be openminded, i work offshore and see both the pros and cons but im still here currently away for 5 weeks!! missing best mates stag doo gutted! oh and your rotations can change so planning in advance dosent always work out!
on the plus point you can buy a few decent cars just spend some time in aberdeen and you will see the amount of AMs, R8s etc driving about
but get to aberdeen and get a decnt CV into to everyone you can!
Good Luck
lots of ppl assume its a great job because of the money, but getting stuck in a compound in nigeria waiting for 3-7 days for a chopper to rig aint much fun! and then the rig is bogging also!
some platforms are very nice esp in north sea som are very old and reqire some guts to live/work there.
the ppl are a whole kettle of fish as you get all kinds offshore
but if the craic is good it can be bloody excellent!! working 12hr shifts is good too.
not trying to put any dampners on it just be openminded, i work offshore and see both the pros and cons but im still here currently away for 5 weeks!! missing best mates stag doo gutted! oh and your rotations can change so planning in advance dosent always work out!
on the plus point you can buy a few decent cars just spend some time in aberdeen and you will see the amount of AMs, R8s etc driving about
but get to aberdeen and get a decnt CV into to everyone you can!
Good Luck
dudleybloke said:
iv been thinking about this too.
my background is machining (milling, lathes, etc) but im good with anything mechanical. heights dont realy bother me and i know how to use a hammer!
can people walk into maintainance type work on the rigs or does eveybody start as a grunt?
No chance, you might get dirty :Pmy background is machining (milling, lathes, etc) but im good with anything mechanical. heights dont realy bother me and i know how to use a hammer!
can people walk into maintainance type work on the rigs or does eveybody start as a grunt?
(fabrication/machining banter)
thats good you would surprised the amount of ppl who think its all money!
i cant say its not good lol otherwise i wouldnt be here its good ive been all over the world.
can be a tough start but aberdeen is def the key and some of the big service companys also employing on construction vessels, pipe layers, rigs etc
Petrofac prob a decent one to start with, subsea seven, technip, the list to be honest is endless! you can train as rigger, crane ops, etc etc
rotation 8if you have one) in north sea is 2 on / 3 off, norway 2 on / 4 off, west africa 4-4,6-6 and of course contractors can be all over the place some choosing when they work also like freelance ROV pilots etc
Cheers
i cant say its not good lol otherwise i wouldnt be here its good ive been all over the world.
can be a tough start but aberdeen is def the key and some of the big service companys also employing on construction vessels, pipe layers, rigs etc
Petrofac prob a decent one to start with, subsea seven, technip, the list to be honest is endless! you can train as rigger, crane ops, etc etc
rotation 8if you have one) in north sea is 2 on / 3 off, norway 2 on / 4 off, west africa 4-4,6-6 and of course contractors can be all over the place some choosing when they work also like freelance ROV pilots etc
Cheers
Not sure how old you are, or what you're currently earning but this could get you a job and qualifications.
http://www.opito.com/uk/learning-and-training/mode...
http://www.opito.com/uk/learning-and-training/mode...
I have just had an interview, waiting for the contract to come through and get my company medical sorted then I will be offshore.
I spent thousands doing my courses...
MIST
BOSIET
Banksman slinging
Fireteam Member
Helideck team member
I paid for all them my self, hotel's etc...
It is expensive to get offshore. Like everyone else has said get your MIST and BOSIET courses done and a UKOAA medical send your CV offshore and phone every morning at 8:58 making sure you are the first person they speak to!
Good luck hope everything works out
Also to the guy at Nutec have the fish and chips today, it's pretty darn good!
I spent thousands doing my courses...
MIST
BOSIET
Banksman slinging
Fireteam Member
Helideck team member
I paid for all them my self, hotel's etc...
It is expensive to get offshore. Like everyone else has said get your MIST and BOSIET courses done and a UKOAA medical send your CV offshore and phone every morning at 8:58 making sure you are the first person they speak to!
Good luck hope everything works out
Also to the guy at Nutec have the fish and chips today, it's pretty darn good!

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