Transferring from Oil & Gas to Renewables - Training?

[Ritchie335is]

Afternoon all,

I have been looking into the training requirements for transitioning from O&G (offshore) into the renewables sector.
I understand that all training has to be GWO approved.
However, when looking into it, it looks to be a minefield with a huge variation with training and I'm struggling to see the path I should take and the required courses.
I am currently a drilling mechanical maintenance supervisor (14 years in the role) with around 25 years total offshore experience.

The courses I am looking at enrolling in are as follows:
GWO Basic Technical Training (Blended) - Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic & Bolt Tightening
Wind Power (the renewable energy institute)
Wave & Hydro Power (the renewable energy institute)
Project Management (the renewable energy institute)

These are really just me guessing as to which is most applicable to a similar role.

Has anyone done something similar, or can anyone confirm on the expected training requirements?

[Lefty]

Following with interest, i bailed out of UK O&G about 6 years ago and switched to Nuclear which is crazy busy and paying great rates (maybe not quite $140 brent market rates but not too far off). I still do little bits and pieces of adhoc consulting in the oil industry but it's nothing like it was

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be the money in any kind of "renewables" projects, whether that be wind or CCUS or hydrogen/ammonia or SAF or whatever, on or offshore. I guess it's just a market thing.

I'm guessing you're probably a similar age to me - thought about going overseas and staying in oil?

[Ritchie335is]

Lefty said:

Following with interest, i bailed out of UK O&G about 6 years ago and switched to Nuclear which is crazy busy and paying great rates (maybe not quite $140 brent market rates but not too far off). I still do little bits and pieces of adhoc consulting in the oil industry but it's nothing like it was

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be the money in any kind of "renewables" projects, whether that be wind or CCUS or hydrogen/ammonia or SAF or whatever, on or offshore. I guess it's just a market thing.

I'm guessing you're probably a similar age to me - thought about going overseas and staying in oil?

Hi Lefty, I've been overseas on a 28 day rotation for 14 years!
I can't say I'm immediately going to jump ship, but I feel a change is coming, so I thought I'd future proof as much as possible.
Also, my job can be extremely stressful at times, and I'm not getting any younger so a transition into a more relaxed role in the future sounds good.
I understand the money isn't there, but it is what it is.

[PushedDover]

I am presuming you see the role to be an Offshore Wind Turbine Technician ? For am OEM? or a Body shop?

Typical rotations are FWIW 14 days on / off from an SOV walk to work in field.
Working at heights, confined space all required too

[E-bmw]

I left (as in retired) from O & G in 2024 so this isn't directly first hand, but this MAY help.

I am (was) an Instrument Tech doing 2/2 rota in UK waters.

One of our other Inst Techs didn't take too well to O & G rotas, so (living near Grimsby) moved to wind & I do know that aside of being home every day they dropped over 50% salary to do so.

[Ritchie335is]

PushedDover said:

I am presuming you see the role to be an Offshore Wind Turbine Technician ? For am OEM? or a Body shop?

Typical rotations are FWIW 14 days on / off from an SOV walk to work in field.
Working at heights, confined space all required too

TBH I was aiming more for a supervisory role similar to my current situation, however I realise this is probably unrealistic given my lack of experience in the field.

Edited by Ritchie335is on Monday 27th July 16:18

[Ritchie335is]

E-bmw said:

I left (as in retired) from O & G in 2024 so this isn't directly first hand, but this MAY help.

I am (was) an Instrument Tech doing 2/2 rota in UK waters.

One of our other Inst Techs didn't take too well to O & G rotas, so (living near Grimsby) moved to wind & I do know that aside of being home every day they dropped over 50% salary to do so.

Yeah, that’s doesn’t sound good, given I’m earning a salary with a significant increase over the North Sea average, it would be quite a hit by the sound of it.

[PushedDover]

Ritchie335is said:

PushedDover said:

I am presuming you see the role to be an Offshore Wind Turbine Technician ? For am OEM? or a Body shop?

Typical rotations are FWIW 14 days on / off from an SOV walk to work in field.
Working at heights, confined space all required too

TBH I was aiming more for a supervisory role similar to my current situation, however I realise this is probably unrealistic given my lack of experience in the field.

Oh, not at all a barrier. If you can run crews etc, that all helps.
Again, likely to be based on an SOV set up keeping you as a rotation staff, or shore based will likely be full time.


I figure GE are desparate (multi-reasons) for good heads and hands. 2 secs on Linkedin gives you these roles for Doggerbank:

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search-results/?curr...

starter for ten ?

[Ritchie335is]

PushedDover said:

Ritchie335is said:

PushedDover said:

I am presuming you see the role to be an Offshore Wind Turbine Technician ? For am OEM? or a Body shop?

Typical rotations are FWIW 14 days on / off from an SOV walk to work in field.
Working at heights, confined space all required too

TBH I was aiming more for a supervisory role similar to my current situation, however I realise this is probably unrealistic given my lack of experience in the field.

Oh, not at all a barrier. If you can run crews etc, that all helps.
Again, likely to be based on an SOV set up keeping you as a rotation staff, or shore based will likely be full time.


I figure GE are desparate (multi-reasons) for good heads and hands. 2 secs on Linkedin gives you these roles for Doggerbank:

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search-results/?curr...

starter for ten ?

That sounds promising and I see that there is a demand for people, however to go back to my original issue.
I m really looking to find out what would a valuable package of training would be, as looking at it, there are so many variables I wouldn t want to waste time and money doing training that isn t really relevant to the roles I would be looking at or wouldn t be of benefit to obtaining an initial start.
In O&G to start, you do your BOSIET, MIST and maybe some other ones now (it s been a while!)
What is the equivalent for renewables?

[PushedDover]

Ritchie335is said:

That sounds promising and I see that there is a demand for people, however to go back to my original issue.
I m really looking to find out what would a valuable package of training would be, as looking at it, there are so many variables I wouldn t want to waste time and money doing training that isn t really relevant to the roles I would be looking at or wouldn t be of benefit to obtaining an initial start.
In O&G to start, you do your BOSIET, MIST and maybe some other ones now (it s been a while!)
What is the equivalent for renewables?

For a role like that, I would suggest the Offshore Survival, ENG1, GWO, and as earlier, perhaps, Working at height and Confined space.
Not an expert as I'm more the marimte renewables spaces, vs. Turbines themselves or the HVDC platforms.
Will ask around for you too.

I know these guys well - https://www.lsprenewables.com/sectors/offshore-win...
Drop them a line and they will help I am sure and, maybe place you too.

[Ritchie335is]

PushedDover said:

Ritchie335is said:

That sounds promising and I see that there is a demand for people, however to go back to my original issue.
I m really looking to find out what would a valuable package of training would be, as looking at it, there are so many variables I wouldn t want to waste time and money doing training that isn t really relevant to the roles I would be looking at or wouldn t be of benefit to obtaining an initial start.
In O&G to start, you do your BOSIET, MIST and maybe some other ones now (it s been a while!)
What is the equivalent for renewables?

For a role like that, I would suggest the Offshore Survival, ENG1, GWO, and as earlier, perhaps, Working at height and Confined space.
Not an expert as I'm more the marimte renewables spaces, vs. Turbines themselves or the HVDC platforms.
Will ask around for you too.

I know these guys well - https://www.lsprenewables.com/sectors/offshore-win...
Drop them a line and they will help I am sure and, maybe place you too.

Good info, thanks.

[PushedDover]

rather than over personalise myself on PH, I have DM'd you.

Phone number in there, give me a call if you want to chat more.