Got a question about a global energy career?
Here's the most popular questions and answers AIS Training, Survivex and some of the energy sector's biggest players covered during our virtual careers event:
Q. How are travelling restrictions around COVID affecting work opportunities?
A. Given that the energy sector is classed as essential, it's still currently possible to travel for work opportunities. However, projects often look to recruit locally so it’s worth keeping an eye out for anything happening in your area. For example, the Dogger Bank wind project off the North East England coast is looking to recruit 320 local personnel for the project.
Q. I don’t want to spend money on training courses without knowing I have a job first. Is there any way I can guarantee work?
A. Unfortunately there are rarely any work guarantees for offshore energy sector workers – even with all the relevant certificates. However, those with determination can succeed – check out the AIS Training and Survivex websites for tips and advice and to see some of our successful case studies.
Q. How is BREXIT affecting UK workers working the EU?
A. We haven’t seen any noticeable changes to working within the EU due to BREXIT for energy workers. According to the UK Government website, you’ll need a work permit to work in most EU countries if you’re a UK citizen, however this is something you should raise with your employer before embarking on any EU-based projects.
Q. What qualifications make your CV stand out?
A. It depends on the employer and the position you are applying for. The companies attending our virtual careers event gave some invaluable insight into the certificates they’re looking for on a CV in 2021.
For Wood its stage 3 riggers, deck crew with a banksman and slinger certification, electrical technicians with CompEx EX01-EX04, and mechanical and instrument technicians with ECITB MJI10: Hand Torque Bolted Connection Techniques. The minimum standards Wood looks for in employees are OPITO Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) or OPITO Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET), an OGUK Medical and OPITO Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST), followed by some kind of trade qualification, or the above specialist skills.
The Rope Access Company (TRAC) is always looking for people with the following skills:
- Specialist non-destructive testing (NDT)
- Engineering assistants
- Multidiscipline IRATA level 3 technicians
- Advanced NDT technicians
- Radiographers
- Lifting gear inspectors
- Fabric maintenance insulators
Ticket requirements for TRAC mainly include IRATA Rope Access, with others dependant on the role – for example GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) for the wind industry and OPITO for oil and gas work.
Atlas Professionals recruit for every project stage with the certificates needed including OPITO Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), OGUK Medical, Shoulder Measurements, OPITO Banksman & Slinger Training Stage 1 and OPITO Offshore Emergency Response Team Member (OERTM) / OPITO Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM).
Best certificates for Windhoist include GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) and an RUK Wind Turbine Medical or an OGUK Medical and Chester Step. GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT) would also be a significant advantage.
Having basic certifications such as OPITO Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) or OPITO Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET), an OGUK Medical and OPITO Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) stands you in good stead at Halliburton with specialist skills even better. Good courses to bolt on include well control, banksman slinger, crane operations and mechanical joint integrity.
Q. Are there any traineeships available for those new to industry?
As well as experienced technicians, Windhoist recruits new industry entrants and the best time to apply in March / April onwards.
Atlas Professionals recruits for every project stage from start-to-finish, including decommissioning, and recruits for all roles including roustabouts. The company also runs greenhand programmes with free training days, which are advertised on social media.
Q. Any advice for people looking to break into the industry with no offshore experience?
A. Scooping your first offshore position can seem like a Catch 22 situation with many employers asking for existing offshore experience, as well as your certs, before they’ll take you on. Luck and timing can play a big part in success so make sure you contact recruiters regularly to make sure your name is high on their radar. Being successful can be as simple as being in the right place at the right time.
Before contacting recruitment companies, be clear on your motivations, aspirations, and career goals and make sure you do your research beforehand on the industry, specific projects and ideal roles so that you understand where you can best fit in.
Q. Any more GWO courses planned for Survivex in Aberdeen?
A. Survivex has added GWO Slinger Signaller, GWO Advanced Rescue Training (ART) and GWO Enhanced First Aid courses to its wind training offer, which already includes GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) - the basic mandatory safety training qualification required to work in the global wind industry.
There are currently no plans to add GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT) or GWO Blade Repair to the list but these will continue to be available at AIS Training’s Newcastle centre.
Q. What courses do I need to apply for wind technician jobs?
A. Anyone applying for a job in the wind industry needs to have Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training (BST).
Q. Who should I contact to register my interest in potential jobs?
A. We recommend you follow the LinkedIn / Facebook pages of the companies taking part in our virtual careers event to discover the latest vacancies and opportunities and how to apply. You can also check out the careers pages on their websites.
