Discussion
Hi,
I was pointed in the direction of the pistonheads forum from a fellow member who said I will likely receive some real world advice.
I am looking for some advice on potentially coming an ROV pilot, firstly though here is some info on my self. Rather than typing a huge paragraph out I will shorten it in to list form so it is easier to pick up on the key points and previous qualifications;
23 UK resident from the North West
Good qualifications from school, A - C
Level 2 in Fabrication and Welding
BTEC National diploma and certificate in Manufacturing Engineering (This was done aside my Fab/Weld for a higher knowledge in manufacturing)
Level 2 Autodesk inventor and CAD
PCN L2 MPI NDT qualification
For personal reasons I took some time off when 19 after completing the above over 3 years, the above gave me a extremely good engineering knowledge from design all the way to manufacturing and final inspection. apart from the Fab & Weld the above was self funded and courses regularly over lapped so I was extremely busy and lots of days were working 8 - 4 then college or further training on an evening.
Since leaving for personal reasons I went in a different direction and went in to business, I am now the director of a company which was started with a small amount of savings but is turning over 6 figure sum's each year and I get a good living from it. I feel I have taken this current company as far as I can and will likely be selling it on.
It has always been my intention to get back in to the oil & gas game and I feel now is the time to look seriously at it while I am still young enough. The Fab & Weld side of things just doesn't do it for me, I would prefer to go in to a specialist game such as ROV (initially looked at commercial diving but seems extremely hard to get in to).
What I would l like to know is are my qualification above going to help in anyway?
Am I best going to the underwatercentre and completing the premium ROV course (£11,000!) or one of the lower grade courses which should give me a good knowledge of the ROV trade and then aim to get my foot in the door.
I understand I would have to start as a trainee, then pilot tech and hopefully within a few years supervisor. Has anyone on here done this and how long did the process take.
Is there companies looking for ROV trainee's or even pilots at the moment, the last thing I want to do is spend this money and make such a change to be sat unemployed for ages.
I will leave it here for now and hopefully get some responses, thanks in advance for any replies. All will be greatly appreciated.
This is a career I am really excited about.
I was pointed in the direction of the pistonheads forum from a fellow member who said I will likely receive some real world advice.
I am looking for some advice on potentially coming an ROV pilot, firstly though here is some info on my self. Rather than typing a huge paragraph out I will shorten it in to list form so it is easier to pick up on the key points and previous qualifications;
23 UK resident from the North West
Good qualifications from school, A - C
Level 2 in Fabrication and Welding
BTEC National diploma and certificate in Manufacturing Engineering (This was done aside my Fab/Weld for a higher knowledge in manufacturing)
Level 2 Autodesk inventor and CAD
PCN L2 MPI NDT qualification
For personal reasons I took some time off when 19 after completing the above over 3 years, the above gave me a extremely good engineering knowledge from design all the way to manufacturing and final inspection. apart from the Fab & Weld the above was self funded and courses regularly over lapped so I was extremely busy and lots of days were working 8 - 4 then college or further training on an evening.
Since leaving for personal reasons I went in a different direction and went in to business, I am now the director of a company which was started with a small amount of savings but is turning over 6 figure sum's each year and I get a good living from it. I feel I have taken this current company as far as I can and will likely be selling it on.
It has always been my intention to get back in to the oil & gas game and I feel now is the time to look seriously at it while I am still young enough. The Fab & Weld side of things just doesn't do it for me, I would prefer to go in to a specialist game such as ROV (initially looked at commercial diving but seems extremely hard to get in to).
What I would l like to know is are my qualification above going to help in anyway?
Am I best going to the underwatercentre and completing the premium ROV course (£11,000!) or one of the lower grade courses which should give me a good knowledge of the ROV trade and then aim to get my foot in the door.
I understand I would have to start as a trainee, then pilot tech and hopefully within a few years supervisor. Has anyone on here done this and how long did the process take.
Is there companies looking for ROV trainee's or even pilots at the moment, the last thing I want to do is spend this money and make such a change to be sat unemployed for ages.
I will leave it here for now and hopefully get some responses, thanks in advance for any replies. All will be greatly appreciated.
This is a career I am really excited about.
Most ROV operators and Commercial Divers are Ex Navy. Hence why you struggled to get into the Diving side.
You could join the Navy
Failing that, SAAB make ROV's down in Fareham. They have some new developments in the offing, so are a reasonable place to start to find out the employment market. Google is your friend.
You could join the Navy
Failing that, SAAB make ROV's down in Fareham. They have some new developments in the offing, so are a reasonable place to start to find out the employment market. Google is your friend.
Thanks for the reply. I didn't look properly in to the diving career, from what I can see it is very specialist and as you say lots of ex-navy etc who already have the experience.
ROV is my main interest I just worry my past experience and then doing an intensive course is not enough to get my foot in the door.
I also would look at doing the following in relation to the ROV course:
L3 Subsea Technology course
L1 & 2 Hydraulic course (Industrial hydraulics, troubleshooting and the basics)
ROV is my main interest I just worry my past experience and then doing an intensive course is not enough to get my foot in the door.
I also would look at doing the following in relation to the ROV course:
L3 Subsea Technology course
L1 & 2 Hydraulic course (Industrial hydraulics, troubleshooting and the basics)
From what I understand the divers have a very short lived career due to health reasons relating to their field of work hence the large sums they make.
The ROV side of things isn't something I'm in the know of, however the industry is completely on it's ar$e at the moment so keep that in mind before you go spunking any money on courses.
It will pick up and there will be openings for bright enthusiastic people like yourself so don't be put off in the long term.
Good luck.
The ROV side of things isn't something I'm in the know of, however the industry is completely on it's ar$e at the moment so keep that in mind before you go spunking any money on courses.
It will pick up and there will be openings for bright enthusiastic people like yourself so don't be put off in the long term.
Good luck.
I've got a mate who has gone into this. Unfortunately he's at sea so I cant ask him too much
However I seem to remember he was working for Apple in Newcastle and they put him through the training so he could work with end users selling them apple computers for ROV operators. He then went to work for one of them
However I seem to remember he was working for Apple in Newcastle and they put him through the training so he could work with end users selling them apple computers for ROV operators. He then went to work for one of them
My business is online retail based, It has gave me an invaluable knowledge to how business is ran, general duties etc and I hope these are transferrable in a way. I run the company my self so everything from customer enquiries, to getting new suppliers and deliveries etc is done my self. Everything is mainly imported from various european countries. I then also put money from the company in to a property which is let and I will walk away with a healthy figure once the company account is cleared and everything put in my name.
The reason I feel I can not push it more is due to various products getting UK distribution and with me importing I can feel the pressure from UK distributors against me. The company was never my long term plan, it was something I built up for a living and its done well.
ROV has been on my mind for a while, its not a split minute decision and is something I would look to do with in 8-12 months. I wont be packing up and taking the jump immediately. My business will still be up and running to support me through the transition. I figured courses will take me the best part of 6 months so even if I start this summer chances are I wont have a job until next summer.
The reason I feel I can not push it more is due to various products getting UK distribution and with me importing I can feel the pressure from UK distributors against me. The company was never my long term plan, it was something I built up for a living and its done well.
ROV has been on my mind for a while, its not a split minute decision and is something I would look to do with in 8-12 months. I wont be packing up and taking the jump immediately. My business will still be up and running to support me through the transition. I figured courses will take me the best part of 6 months so even if I start this summer chances are I wont have a job until next summer.
ROV and subsea projects in general are on their arse at the minute , you couldn't have picked a worse time to enter the industry.
try calling a few ROV companies and tell them your plans , you never know you may get lucky or they may well let you know your prospects and stop you 'spunking your money' as posted above.
your background is very similar to mine - fabrication/welding and I went the diving route in 83 , got a few years out of it but now into production operations , lots of mates still involved with diving/rov and subsea - all taking paycuts and looking over their shoulders for the axe falling.
its pretty grim at the minute .
If I was you I'd work on scaling the successful business you've already started.
good luck
try calling a few ROV companies and tell them your plans , you never know you may get lucky or they may well let you know your prospects and stop you 'spunking your money' as posted above.
your background is very similar to mine - fabrication/welding and I went the diving route in 83 , got a few years out of it but now into production operations , lots of mates still involved with diving/rov and subsea - all taking paycuts and looking over their shoulders for the axe falling.
its pretty grim at the minute .
If I was you I'd work on scaling the successful business you've already started.
good luck
Thanks, I think as with most things the whole industry is on its arse.
This again is my reason to aim for a job starting mid next year as it will have hopefully picked up again by then.
If it was 6 months down the line I would have called some local companies to get some feedback but I dont want to come across to fresh and waste their time.
Regarding my other company, I have always been business orientated and made my own money but I feel this one is at its ceiling point. With more UK distributors taking my overseas products on I am getting pressured, its just overall not a pretty situation and I am finding it hard to see the light at the moment. I should always be able to maintain it to the level it is now but expanding would be hard.. And that is frustrating.
This again is my reason to aim for a job starting mid next year as it will have hopefully picked up again by then.
If it was 6 months down the line I would have called some local companies to get some feedback but I dont want to come across to fresh and waste their time.
Regarding my other company, I have always been business orientated and made my own money but I feel this one is at its ceiling point. With more UK distributors taking my overseas products on I am getting pressured, its just overall not a pretty situation and I am finding it hard to see the light at the moment. I should always be able to maintain it to the level it is now but expanding would be hard.. And that is frustrating.
NM2016 said:
Thanks, I think as with most things the whole industry is on its arse.
This again is my reason to aim for a job starting mid next year as it will have hopefully picked up again by then.
If it was 6 months down the line I would have called some local companies to get some feedback but I dont want to come across to fresh and waste their time.
Projects will start to be sanctioned again next year but they'll be for '18 and '19. By all accounts 2017 is meant to be the worst for subsea as the backlog from the good years has gone and little has been awarded in 2015 and 2016. Not what you want to hear.This again is my reason to aim for a job starting mid next year as it will have hopefully picked up again by then.
If it was 6 months down the line I would have called some local companies to get some feedback but I dont want to come across to fresh and waste their time.
Just my luck then lol.
Even if I still plan to do this and can get a start somewhere as a trainee on a liveable wage I can at least get some experience in the downturn so when thinks pick up in a few years I should be in a higher position and can take my chance against everyone else for a pilot tech role?
Even if I still plan to do this and can get a start somewhere as a trainee on a liveable wage I can at least get some experience in the downturn so when thinks pick up in a few years I should be in a higher position and can take my chance against everyone else for a pilot tech role?
The best armed forces mechanic I worked with left to do this a few years ago. He was doing well then when I last saw him 8 months ago he said it was on a downturn. He's still going away but I haven't seen him in person to chat about £££ etc. One of the dads at my sons school also does it and is still going away. I really need to invite them over for a BBQ to get I I his brains.
How about the Merchant Navy, RFA, offshore turbines etc?
How about the Merchant Navy, RFA, offshore turbines etc?
NM2016 said:
Just my luck then lol.
Even if I still plan to do this and can get a start somewhere as a trainee on a liveable wage I can at least get some experience in the downturn so when thinks pick up in a few years I should be in a higher position and can take my chance against everyone else for a pilot tech role?
Can you postpone your plans for a year and continue to live off of your current business? As mentioned above, the industry is on it's knees and you would even struggle to find a trainee position.Even if I still plan to do this and can get a start somewhere as a trainee on a liveable wage I can at least get some experience in the downturn so when thinks pick up in a few years I should be in a higher position and can take my chance against everyone else for a pilot tech role?
It's a guessing game as to when it will pick up but mid-2017 things may start to improve and hopefully back to full E&P in 2018/2019. I don't know much about the O&G ROV side of things but are there not other industries looking for ROV pilots?
Thanks.
Yes I can carry on with what I am doing now and aim to do the courses next year which means I would be in a position to start looking late 2017.
Hopefully things will pick up by then and I might be in with a chance of getting a trainee position.
From what I can see a lot prefer a mechanical/electronic back ground, do you think my past experience would be OK or will this be something else against me?
Yes I can carry on with what I am doing now and aim to do the courses next year which means I would be in a position to start looking late 2017.
Hopefully things will pick up by then and I might be in with a chance of getting a trainee position.
From what I can see a lot prefer a mechanical/electronic back ground, do you think my past experience would be OK or will this be something else against me?
Have you thought about the aspect of working away on a ship or a semi-submersible? Could you be away from home for weeks, possibly months on end, working 12 hours per day, every day?
It does not suit everyone, especially when you are used to seeing your girlfriend, popping out with your mates, eating what you fancy etc.
It does not suit everyone, especially when you are used to seeing your girlfriend, popping out with your mates, eating what you fancy etc.
NM2016 said:
.
From what I can see a lot prefer a mechanical/electronic back ground, do you think my past experience would be OK or will this be something else against me?
It's hard to say but i think a lot of O&G employers would hire you based on passed experience, i just can't comment on ROV service providers. Some sort of electronic or mechanical experience/qualification would definitely be a plus.From what I can see a lot prefer a mechanical/electronic back ground, do you think my past experience would be OK or will this be something else against me?
Although I dont mind working away I wouldn't want to be looking at months if I am honest. Happy to do 2 or 4 on/off but when it gets in to months I think its more of a single mans profession having seen two of my friends long term relationships (one married) break down due to them working away for months at a time (merchant navy).
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Regarding my background, hopefully it is enough but also doing the above mentioned hydraulic and electrical course will help and at least show willing to the profession.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Regarding my background, hopefully it is enough but also doing the above mentioned hydraulic and electrical course will help and at least show willing to the profession.
I know of someone who used to/still does AFAIK operate ROVs and first worked in a defence research support role doing it. His background was in IT of some kind, although I think his move to ROVs was more to do with it being local to where he lived and there not being too many others I guess wanting to work there (remote area of Scotland).
Recently he has been working on marine wind farm construction. Not sure if by choice or necessity as the defence company he worked for had been making cuts IIRC.
Recently he has been working on marine wind farm construction. Not sure if by choice or necessity as the defence company he worked for had been making cuts IIRC.
In my company we have a number of different roles with day rates corresponding to responsibility/knowledge.
We do have plain old ROV Pilots, these guys are busy and most needed on our IRM vessels and mostly piloting eye-ball vehicles. Lowest paid of all ROV positions here. That doesn't exempt them from working on a nice ship piloting a nice new work class vehicle.
Where there are restrictions for bed space on vessels for example, we have Pilot Tech positions. Whether that be Mech Pilot Tech or Elec Pilot Tech. IIRC these guys are generally paid similar to that of a Snr ROV Tech (Elec/Mech).
Next up we have the offshore ROV Supervisors/Superintendents. Often find these guys will go onto fulfill a more senior offshore role e.g. offshore manager due to the level of responsibility in the job.
As had already been stated, subsea O&G industry is on its arse at the moment. Many, many are vessels laid up and projects delayed/cancelled all over the shop. I would stick to what you're doing currently but there is no harm in making some prospective enquiries with employers; they may even give some advice if you're lucky.
We do have plain old ROV Pilots, these guys are busy and most needed on our IRM vessels and mostly piloting eye-ball vehicles. Lowest paid of all ROV positions here. That doesn't exempt them from working on a nice ship piloting a nice new work class vehicle.
Where there are restrictions for bed space on vessels for example, we have Pilot Tech positions. Whether that be Mech Pilot Tech or Elec Pilot Tech. IIRC these guys are generally paid similar to that of a Snr ROV Tech (Elec/Mech).
Next up we have the offshore ROV Supervisors/Superintendents. Often find these guys will go onto fulfill a more senior offshore role e.g. offshore manager due to the level of responsibility in the job.
As had already been stated, subsea O&G industry is on its arse at the moment. Many, many are vessels laid up and projects delayed/cancelled all over the shop. I would stick to what you're doing currently but there is no harm in making some prospective enquiries with employers; they may even give some advice if you're lucky.
Thanks for the replies.
It seems the I might have a shot at the job but probably not at the minute, I maybe best off holding on for a year or two then looking at it again?
Dunc, from your experience would someone with a back ground like my self be in with a chance or would I be overshadowed by people with an electrical or mechanical back ground?
I guess I would start off at a trainee level then work up to a ROV technician?
Then hopefully supervisor where I presume the bulk of the money is?
It seems the I might have a shot at the job but probably not at the minute, I maybe best off holding on for a year or two then looking at it again?
Dunc, from your experience would someone with a back ground like my self be in with a chance or would I be overshadowed by people with an electrical or mechanical back ground?
I guess I would start off at a trainee level then work up to a ROV technician?
Then hopefully supervisor where I presume the bulk of the money is?
Hold off. There are more cuts about to be announced in the oil industry.
Fugro, Oceaneering, Subsea 7 etc all have many ROV systems and some provide their own training. Oceaneering have a big ROV training centre in Louisiana. They hav simulators in Aberdeen and elsewhere. Many, Many vessels tied-up right now so I imagine not a lot of work.
Contact those companies above, + others to get advice before contemplating a move.
Fugro, Oceaneering, Subsea 7 etc all have many ROV systems and some provide their own training. Oceaneering have a big ROV training centre in Louisiana. They hav simulators in Aberdeen and elsewhere. Many, Many vessels tied-up right now so I imagine not a lot of work.
Contact those companies above, + others to get advice before contemplating a move.
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