Aberdeen Offshore folk...
Discussion
Basically. I'm 17 at the moment, 18 soon. Have done a year at college doing a computing hNC course which I was unsuccessful at passing and i'm looking into different options for a career. I've had offshore work mentioned to me, but to be honest, i don't know what I want to do with myself or what is involved in different offshore work that is available to me.
Who here has experience in this area,what do you do and did any of you start off at my age?
All I know is I don't want to be stuck in an office day in day out, want something where I can move onwards and upwards throughout the career.
I would love a career working on cars, but don't want to work at kwik-fit
Who here has experience in this area,what do you do and did any of you start off at my age?
All I know is I don't want to be stuck in an office day in day out, want something where I can move onwards and upwards throughout the career.
I would love a career working on cars, but don't want to work at kwik-fit
Try looking into Cogent.
I was offered this when i was younger (16 I thinks), but decided against it.
It was a paid training program, they pay for you to go through it and give you lodging etc and they will try and get you a job at the end of it (shell i think was one name bandied about)
Don't know if it's still going though.
I was offered this when i was younger (16 I thinks), but decided against it.
It was a paid training program, they pay for you to go through it and give you lodging etc and they will try and get you a job at the end of it (shell i think was one name bandied about)
Don't know if it's still going though.
Cogent are now known as OPITO:
http://www.opito.com/uk/applicants.html
I think is a link to their apprenticeship scheme.
http://www.opito.com/uk/applicants.html
I think is a link to their apprenticeship scheme.
MGZRod said:
Cheers for the links guys 
Any other info is appreiciated, like how you cope going offshore and such.
Do you like sharing a room with someone you don't know?Any other info is appreiciated, like how you cope going offshore and such.
Do you like being trapped in a confined space and the only way home is if there is enough seats on a chopper that may or may not fly that day?
I hate going offshore, it is probably better on rotation, but I'm normally only there for a few days and it is normally a different rig each time.
While it's not rig work, you could also look into Merchant Navy cadetships - plenty about, you get a foundation degree in marine (or electrical) engineering and a watchkeeping ticket (the bit that gets you a job). While the majority of folk stay in the industry and get their 2nd engineers ticket then their chiefs ticket, and possibly move onto shoreside jobs, a few branch out into superyacht, ROV or rig work.
Trip lengths for most of the supply vessels in the N. Sea tend to be around 4 weeks on/off, with 6 weeks on/off for subsea construction/dive support vessels. You'll have your own cabin, and most boats have Sky TV and satellite phone and internet.
How you cope with being offshore is really down to the type of person you are - having internet/phone allows you to still sort stuff out (and do stupid amounts of online shopping - presents for when you get back!), but you have to accept that you can't go out on the lash every weekend like in a 9-5er, and you may miss certain events ashore. On the other hand, you get 4-6 weeks off after each trip to spend as you see fit - going for hoons midweek on quiet roads is so much more enjoyable.............
Trip lengths for most of the supply vessels in the N. Sea tend to be around 4 weeks on/off, with 6 weeks on/off for subsea construction/dive support vessels. You'll have your own cabin, and most boats have Sky TV and satellite phone and internet.
How you cope with being offshore is really down to the type of person you are - having internet/phone allows you to still sort stuff out (and do stupid amounts of online shopping - presents for when you get back!), but you have to accept that you can't go out on the lash every weekend like in a 9-5er, and you may miss certain events ashore. On the other hand, you get 4-6 weeks off after each trip to spend as you see fit - going for hoons midweek on quiet roads is so much more enjoyable.............
I went though the OPITO scheme, similar to the ECITB course, and its 18 months at college, then a 2 year placement on a rig to 'prove' yourself.
Offshore life isn't for everyone (miss nights out, events, holidays) but then you also get a lot of them at home. Time off is the best part, and the money is good. Got to look at the positives!
Offshore life isn't for everyone (miss nights out, events, holidays) but then you also get a lot of them at home. Time off is the best part, and the money is good. Got to look at the positives!
ROV........
Unless you have a background with electronics and /or mechanics you will find it almost impossible to to get in to rov, for some reason everybody and there dog wants to do rov, so i would forget rov until you have done the afore mention electronics or some form of mechanical training at university or college,
UNLESS you had a friend who can get you in of course, if your recommended thats a different kettle of donuts!
btw, i think 18 is the min age for being allowed offshore though i could be wrong, why not try knocking on service companys doors?
Unless you have a background with electronics and /or mechanics you will find it almost impossible to to get in to rov, for some reason everybody and there dog wants to do rov, so i would forget rov until you have done the afore mention electronics or some form of mechanical training at university or college,
UNLESS you had a friend who can get you in of course, if your recommended thats a different kettle of donuts!
btw, i think 18 is the min age for being allowed offshore though i could be wrong, why not try knocking on service companys doors?
If its a career you want with the option of moving onwards and upwards then going offshore is an excellent way. I know plenty of guys who started out offshore 'at the bottom' and are now rig managers, onshore senior managers, company directors etc etc. If you have a good attitude, are willing to learn and get your hands dirty and show your colleagues respect then you can go a long way.
As has been said, the offshore lifestyle isn't for everyone. Some people love it, some hate it. The only way you will know if its for you is if you try it.
As has been said, the offshore lifestyle isn't for everyone. Some people love it, some hate it. The only way you will know if its for you is if you try it.
I went to uni and did geography and mapping sciences and now work offshore as a surveyor. I am always on ships, never been on a rig yet (although have been right next to them on many occasions). As a surveyor you are doing a 12 hour shift looking at computer screen, depending on what the job is it can get very boring.
The acomodation varies depending on the ship, you might get a cabin to yourself or you might not. The food also varies, sometimes its very good sometimes there are queues for the toaster.
You can get offshore in a variety of ways depends what you want to do. I know a few people that have been to maritime college and have gone down the cadet route. It seems quite good route and opens up a lot of doors for various work outside the oil industry.
The acomodation varies depending on the ship, you might get a cabin to yourself or you might not. The food also varies, sometimes its very good sometimes there are queues for the toaster.
You can get offshore in a variety of ways depends what you want to do. I know a few people that have been to maritime college and have gone down the cadet route. It seems quite good route and opens up a lot of doors for various work outside the oil industry.
I wish I could go back and do the Opito Scheme. I'm stuck doing a very niche market job, being paid less than half of what every other North Sea monkey gets and work with a bunch of alcoholic idiots!
Anybody know of any companies which are looking for Measurement/metering Technician (Fiscal Metering)?
I'm 21, out of education for 4 years and been working in the O&G industry since leaving school. Been offshore for about a year now. Do I have too much experience for one of these apprenticeships, but not enough experience for a decent job working offshore on a rota basis?
Anybody know of any companies which are looking for Measurement/metering Technician (Fiscal Metering)?
I'm 21, out of education for 4 years and been working in the O&G industry since leaving school. Been offshore for about a year now. Do I have too much experience for one of these apprenticeships, but not enough experience for a decent job working offshore on a rota basis?
Curry Burns said:
Is there an age limit with Opito?
It used to be 21 but it is open to everyone now. Took this from the OPITO site.Entry Requirements
The annual recruitment process commences in February, with college placements commencing in September. Training is open to any well-motivated person aged 16 or over, who holds either:
Scotland:
Four Standard Grades at level 1, 2 or 3 – including Mathematics, English, and either Physics, Chemistry or Technology Studies (or equivalent) or Standard Grade Mathematics at level 1/Higher Grade C or above, plus three other Standard Grades at level 1, 2, or 3 – including English.
Rest of UK:
Four GCSEs at Grades A, B or C – including Mathematics, English, and either Double Science, Physics, Chemistry plus a Technological subject (or equivalent) or Mathematics at GCSE Grade A/AS-Level Grade C, plus three other GCSEs at Grade A, B or C – including English.
OPITO are very good at training and such, other ways to go about it are applying to Oil Companies directly for an apprenticeship, which unfortunately I think you have just missed the main intake period, but they are often willing to take on apprentices after that time, Companies like Marathon, Halliburton etc, with them you will do 6months-1year at Tullos Training group IIRC then straight offshore, Decent wages too!
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