Education and Qualifications
In general, technicians enter the industry with some form of engineering/technical qualification, relevant experience, or after military service.
Skills and Training
Training for technicians is dependent on the discipline. Generally, vocational technical qualifications from college or a tertiary technical educational qualifications, (which may take between one and three years to gain,) are available in many countries for the main technical disciplines in use offshore.
Military technical training can also be of use in finding work offshore in the marine contracting industry. It is important to realise that a thorough technical grounding is essential to gain work as a technician of any kind.
To work offshore in any capacity it is usually necessary to complete a 'Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training' (BOSIET) course. This generally includes first aid, safety at sea, the basics of fire and fire fighting and helicopter underwater escape training (HUET). In many regions, someone who has not successfully completed a course of this nature will not be permitted to work offshore.
Medical Fitness
In many areas of the world, potential offshore workers must undergo and pass a special medical examination. These requirements may vary from country to country, but usually involve a medical leading to a certificate which may be valid for one or more years. The requirements are not unduly onerous for fit and active people but certain common conditions, or previous injuries, can be a cause for failure. If in any doubt, interested persons should seek out a doctor knowledgeable about offshore standards before they seek work or embark on a course of training.
Working Conditions and Prospects
Technicians can expect to find work in the offshore oil industry all over the world. They have to be resourceful, resilient and be able to work in both a team and a remote environment. Whilst much work is vessel based, there are opportunities for on-shore and office based duties.
After a number of years field experience it is possible for a technician to move to into a supervisory role offshore. After several years offshore experience, many move into managerial and technical support roles onshore. Prospects for moving up through the ranks are good and, for the ambitious, there is no limit to what can be achieved.
Further Information
Further details of work in the marine contracting sector can be found at
www.imca-int.com/careers.
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