Courses

Medical - What's involved
Every offshore worker must undergo and pass a medical examination which classifies them as medically fit to work in the offshore environment. Different offshore authorities have different requirements. For UK waters only physicians who are approved by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) Health Advisory Committee should carry out the examination. The offshore medical certificate, as it is commonly known, is only valid for a limited time, and you need to renew it to continue working offshore. The frequency for renewal depends on the authority controlling the asset you are visiting and your age. Up to age 39 years - 3 yearly Age 40 to 49 years - 2 yearly Age 50 and over - annually So what do you have to do? some form filling in followed by some mandatory tests, these are: Urine check Height, weight and resultant Body Mass Index calculation Blood Pressure Basic eye sight test Lung capacity check Hearing test followed by a physical examination by a doctor. Breathing reflexes and the old cough test. Just recently I was working on a rig and the drug team flew out, hence to say two people left the rig on the next chopper, it happens. Links: RGIT Montrose Fleetwood Offshire Survival Centre Nutec Petans
Survival Training
Survival training is essential for all individuals wishing to travel offshore via helicopter and provides individuals with a range of important survival tools. Various courses exist but if your new to the industry you will need the basic course which is called BOSIET (Basic offshore safety induction and emergency training). This will enable you to work in the UK sector for example North Sea, if you want to work in the Norwegian sector an additional course will have to be completed. The basic course is valid for 4 years. Almost all contractors will require that you have completed EBS training, (Emergency breather training). This can be done before you do your HUET training (Helicopter underwater escape training) it just involves using your breathing set under-water very briefly before exiting the trainer, its no big deal. Links RGIT Montrose Nutec Fleetwood Offshore Survival Centre Petans
Fire Fighting
Fire fighting can be included as part of the offshore survival course, so make sure it is when you book yours. It gives you a basis understanding of breathing apparatus and different types of fire that you may come across on the rigs. You will learn how to check your breathing apparatus and wear it correctly. You will be tested in a smoke filled compartment using skills you have learnt, along with the rest of the course. You will be taught different types of extinguishers and what fire to use them on, and put out small fires with hand held extinguishers.

Some common questions often asked......on completion of completing the BOSC

1. What route is open to me now.

2. What courses will offer the best prospects of me getting a job offshore?

3. Will any qualifications that I already have be of any use for my employer offshore?

4. What type of courses are the ones that will ensure im always sort after offshore?

5. Can you give me an idea of some of the courses that are available to me?

6. What type of qualifications are generally the ones that an employer will look for?

7. Are companies looking for people all the time?

8. Do workers stay loyal to one company?

9. What is the average hourly rate offshore for a general worker?

10. Do you have to pay yourself to get to your place of work? or do the company who you are working for pay for it?

I will be answering all these questions the next time that I update the site, if you have any questions you want to ask, leave them in My Feedback and I will give you an answer as soon as I can.

ANSWERS - these are my own thoughts and may give you an idea on some of the topics that I have mentioned. My thoughts will differ from others which is only human nature after all, but I will be as honest as I can be.

What route is open to me now?

On completion of the basic offshore survival, you have the basic qualifications to work offshore, it doesn't mean that someone will employ you though on those qualifications alone. Employers will be looking for someone who is motivated and able to fit all the criteria that they specify for the job. Also they will be looking at skills that are transferable and can be utilised in an off-shore environment. For instance if you were a painter, before doing your BOSC you could apply for a painters job offshore, the only thing you would be lacking however is experience in the off-shore environment. It would be up to the individual to pass on a good CV to impress upon the employer why they should take you on. So there are numerous avenues open to you, weather you want to transfer your skills or learn new ones in order to progress in the off-shore world.

What courses will offer the best prospects of me getting a job offshore?

This question will depend if you want to work for an oil company for instance and follow their progressive plan through the normal rank structure such as Roustabout / Roughneck and up through their structured framework. However as I haven't done that myself I will leave that to explain by people who have followed that path, instead I will give you an idea of some of the courses that will get you noticed and hopefully get your CV reviewed for a second time. A lot has recently changed with regards to offshore qualifications. A new standard has been brought in called 'Opito' it is basically a standard which is recognised by the oil companies and employers and contractors who work on offshore and onshore installations. So if you are going to undertake a course in the near future, just ask if the course has been Opito approved. Some offshore contractors have got their own training officially Opito approved. Onto courses that I feel will offer you a chance of getting employment in the offshore industry, in no particular order. NDT technicians. Welding - colour coded. Painters. Pipe fitters. Electricians. Tower and derrick builders. Steel erectors. Scaffolders. Riggers. Always in demand are people with multi qualifications such as IRATA trained electricians and riggers. Due to the health and safety constantly being updated other courses which will come in useful are: Manual Handling. First Aid. Abrasive Wheels. Slinger Banksman. Risk Assessment. Supervision.

Will any qualifications that I already have be of any use for my employer offshore?

As long as the qualification is related to the role that you will be doing offshore it may have some relevance. Jobs offshore sometimes require specific qualifications for a job being undertaken, if your employer feels you are an asset they will put you through that course. Qualifications can be transferred to the offshore environment as long as they conform to the current legislation in force and your employer will advise you on this.

What type of courses are the ones that will ensure im always sort after offshore?

As mentioned already qualifications in certain areas will get you noticed. But at this moment in time I feel that people with multi qualifications have a very good chance of gaining employment. In particular IRATA trained people who have additional quals are always sort after. But you may have all the quals in the world with no experience of working offshore so it is up to you to sell yourself in your CV, the hardest thing is getting that all important start, if you know someone in the industry ask them to put a word in for you, word of mouth is everything and could get you that all important breakthrough.

Can you give me an idea of some of the courses that are available to me?

I will give you a list of some of the courses that you can do, but you must bear in mind the cost of these courses. The average course will cost you from £600 upwards. So its always advisable to ring round first and get the best quote, or go with a company that someone has recommended to you. I have already listed some of the course available to you on completion of the survival training, but I will list them again and all these courses are available to you if you wish to progress down those particular paths. If you are not sure what avenue you want to take yet, do some research and find out if you will like that particular task, as once the course is completed and you dont like it, its money down the pan so to speak. Again in no particular order: NDT courses such as MPI and UT. Welding, must be colour coded however. Painting. Pipe fitting. Electricians. Tower and derrick builders, due to the recent problems with the hurricanes and the high price of oil, there is plenty of work in this sector. Riggers. Scaffolders.

What type of qualifications are generally the ones that an employer will look for?

Good question! This will depend on what the job is and the qualifications that you possess. Will your qualifications put you in with a good chance of a second review, if you can answer that honestly then you are applying for the right position. So for instance if you are applying for a job with a Derrick building Company, and they are actively recruiting for people. Do you possess derrick building experience??? Do you possess steel erecting experience??? Are you happy working at heights??? Do you possess the qualification for working at heights??? ie:IRATA . Have you any supervisory experience??? Have you the basic offshore courses and a recent offshore medical??? These will be a good guide line as a basis, but as mentioned earlier additional qualifications will all help especially if they are transferable to the new job position that you are applying for.

Are companies looking for people all the time?

Some companies seem to be always asking for people. It all depends what avenue you are intending to go down as to the amount of vacancies in that particular area. For instance certain companies are constantly asking for steel erectors and derrick builders. But ask yourself this question are you prepared to work away from home for weeks on end and be prepared to work abroad?? If the answer is no, then maybe just check all the details before you apply for any jobs offshore as they just might expect you to work away for extended periods. Also if you are willing to work abroad, do you have all the vaccinations for other countries?? I would advise you to start getting them if you are planning to work abroad, not forgetting your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, as without it you may have to start paying out the dollars to get past customs. Other areas that always seem to be in demand are NDT technicians, but again make sure you like doing this sort of work, I have tried it myself and its not for me.

Do workers stay loyal to one company?

When you work offshore one of the topics frequently brought up is where the best work is and the best company to work for. I personally have stayed with a company now for well over a year and in my view they are a good company to work for and have kept me busy for the time I have been with them. A lot of offshore workers are self employed and go from company to company seeking work. Once you've been working offshore for a while and have gained experience then you are more employable, but ultimately its the individuals choice as to what company you work for and whether a company will employ you, and a lot will depend on what other people think of your ability in the environment that you are working in. In a lot of cases the bottom line is: If a company keeps you busy then you stay with that company, but at times there may always be a lull in the work load and you may find yourself off work for a few weeks, if you can live with that then in my view stay with the company who you normally work for, but others may disagree with me here. As a lot of people after 2 weeks off work start to get bored at home, including myself and want to work again as soon as possible. So in a nutshell: A lot of workers do 2 on and 2 off. However there are other workers who work for companies that do all different times at work and that is who I am referring to here. If a company keeps a worker busy then generally that worker will stay with that company, however If work seems quite slow then they may go and work for another company who do the same sort of work.

What Is the average hourly rate offshore for a general worker?

This will depend obviously on what company you are working for, however if you are working abroad it may pay more, or the area where you are working may be an area where there is a conflict going on, this again may pay more. It may also depend on the type of supervision that you are doing and the type of work that you are carrying out. I wont say anymore on the subject, but make sure you ask the hourly rate before you commit yourself to any job otherwise you might be In for a nasty shock If you think Its to low.

Do you have to pay yourself to get to your place of work? or do the company who you are working for pay for It?

This all depends on the company who you are working for. Some companies offer a second class rail fare to the point of departure. Other companies will offer a better service and fly their workers to the heliport. Just make sure you ask how you will get to the heliport, and they will always tell you. This subject can go on for hours, as some workers may live abroad and how do they get to work? If the job Is In UK. I wont go there at the moment as this could go on and on but If a company wants experienced workers, you do find that they will get them to the job at their expense, or maybe the oil companies expense.

What happens if I require a dentist or medical treatment while I am abroad?

If you are abroad for a company it basically means that you are working for that company even if you are self employed, and they have an obligation to their workforce. If for instance you suddenly require dental treatment, you may find yourself paying for the treatment initially, but rest assured a good company will always reimbuse that amount when you produce your receipt. Some companies even give their employies a medical card, which if for any reason they have to receive treatment, the company can claim the amount back from an insurance company back in the UK. However in most circumstances abroad you will always find that you will have to pay the bill initially, unless you have a company member there who pays the bill for you, and then claim the money back. Its a lot easier in UK waters however such as the North Sea where the company that employs you can arrange all the details on the phone once you get off the rig, and because its in the UK no money changes hands.

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