Oil & gas work - Need advice

[caelite]

Hey folks

I know there is a lot of people in the Scottish section of the PH forum who do offshore work so Im hoping there are folks here who can give me some advice. I left school a few years ago and have been doing minimum wage ever since. After deciding I wanted to get a job in oil and gas (possibly in the North Sea as its local to me but I would love to eventually work overseas) I went on the advice of a family member who works on the rigs and went to college to get a HNC in Engineering Systems (combination of Electrical and Mechanical engi). However after looking at jobs it seems that the easiest way to get into the industry is via a North Sea apprenticeship, which has very low academic requirements (2-3 standard grades/GCSEs) which I already easily meet. (2 highers, 6-7 standard grades)

So my question is; is there any point in me sticking in and getting my college certificate (thats only valid in Scotland/UK anyway)? Or would my best bet be to start applying for apprenticeships and drop out of college if I find something.

CAE

[caelite]

creampuff said:

You can't get an office based engineering jobs with a HNC/HND any more unless you are over about 50 where this was the standard qualification. I can't speak for offshore platform based roles as I do almost exclusively office work. This is just FYI.

Ah. Not going to be going for office based work at the moment preferably. Looking for danger pay, and I like fixing things . Also I think if I had to do another 2/3 years of college I might genuinely off myself lol.

[caelite]

GT03ROB said:

Plenty of opportunities still just over the border North from here....

I'm in Kuwait by the way...

As much as being a white westerner in Iraqi (I assume thats where you meant) oil seems like a terrible idea right now...the pays good right? Just need to mind and pick myself up a little kalashnikov well im over there hehe.

But thanks for the advice guys. Ill probably stick to it for the year meaning it will be mid 2016 by the time im looking for proper work (hopefully the market has recovered a bit by then).

[caelite]

superlightr said:

OP - Have you thought of a career in the Navy or one of the other armed forces? You will have the opportunity to learn and study for qualifications, gain practical experience, do things others your age would never get the chance to do, get paid and should have a lot of fun whilst doing it all?

Yup. Thought about and attempted to join both RN and merchant (my first choice leaving school). I can only get a partial MCA medical due to reliance on meds. Cant do army or raf for same reason.(tried them both, they dont even consider you once you tick the medical condition box)

I reckon im going to take year out (mostly for financial reasons) then go back for my HND then b-eng for the overseas oil&gas/warzone contracting work. Just need to stomach the 3 years of fecking maths and reports.

Cheers for the advice guys. I hadnt reaslised my thread got picked up again.

Edited by caelite on Thursday 31st December 07:59

Edited by caelite on Thursday 31st December 08:01