Employment in offshore with the current downturn

[Shuvi McTupya]

I have spent the last year working offshore on an adhoc basis as a planner/administrator for dive projects on an FPV and a DSV but that work has now dried up and I need to figure out if there is a way to stay within the industry.

From what I am hearing, lots of companies are already starting to suffer and obviously recruiting is on the slide.

My current thoughts are along the lines of trying to expand my skill set, possibly taking an NDT course or two, or something along those lines and maybe trying to get in somewhere as a trainee and hope that when things turn around again I will be in a better position to get back out there.

The reason I am thinking about NDT is that i actually think i might be quite well suited to it and you don't require a formal qualification such as a degree to get started. I enjoy hands on work and have a good head for figures and the ability to create reports etc.

One of things I am concerned about is my age, although companies are not supposed to be ageist I am 46 so i am thinking that that might be too old to be considered for that kind of role...

So, I am looking for advice/suggestions of things i should be considering that will put me in a better position for the future.

I am based near Aberdeen and have no mortgage or other financial responsibilities other than rent and motoring expenses so I am in a fairly good position to be able to lower my sights as far as wages go for a couple of years if needs be.

I am also single and more than happy to go anywhere in the world for any period of time, even permanently.

Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

[DuraAce]

I can't help with your offshore bits but I have lots of NDT experience so id be interested to hear about offshore opportunities.

I'm guessing the current timing isn't so good though?