Offshore Electricians

[SparkdogMillionaire]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice, been chatting with a mate who wants to go offshore (he's mechanical) and have been looking into myself now also.

Can anyone recommend a pathway and any suitable qualifications that I should be considering doing (except for survival training) ? Looking to work towards this possibly over the next 5 years.

As well as the industry standard electrical qualifications are small bolt-on quals like abrasive wheel tickets things that can be worth having and look good on a CV?

Any advice appreciated, cheers

 

[Deleted member 105018]

I imagine a CompEx qual is essential. I’m told it’s quite a toughie. Especially the practical unless you’re used to the types of gas tight glands they use.

 

[snowhead]

I'd contact Offshore recruiters to see what they're looking for now or in the future.
Things change all the time, relevant experience for now may not be any good in 5 years.
You may need onshore experience in a particular field, it'd be a shame to spend 5 years getting quals, only for them to say if only you'd done --- or whatever.

 

[timbobelfast]

I wouldn't bother, you can make more onshore at the minute. Keep your money under the matters until the next war kicks off and oil prices peak again.

 

[telectrix]

and buy a decent set of waders.

 

[bomjac]

Going to cost your Mechy mate around £1k just for his survival and MIST. You will need another £800 or so on top of that for Compex. Without CompEx -forget it as a spark. You may get lucky, but you will need to be very, very lucky to get a pull in without it. Medical probably another £100.

Compex is not difficult - provided you work at it and use the time outside of the course to study what they give you.

Oh did I forget to mention accommodation on top if that? Add another bucket load of cash to it. 2 weeks dogs for you, 1 for your mate. You can cut the digs aspect by choosing a University town out of term time and taking student accommodation.

I don't know the rates exactly now, but the guys on the Culzean at present are getting less money now than companies were paying 10 years ago. Rotations ate often 3 on, 3 off also these days vs the 2 / 2 that was the norm for contractors.

The long and the short - the money is ok, but not as ok as it should be for the loss of your sovial and family life. You need to spend around £2k to get a foot in the door, and even then it's not guarenteed.

You are going to be 'green' for at least a year, so many companies will be reluctant to take you on as a new start. Times of year - Xmas and new year can be good for a start, as people phone in sick for that trip. Then it's quiet till april/may and will stay busy up till around October when it dies down again.

If you can afford the £2k, go for it - just be aware that it may be difficult to get a start at first. At least you have email now, rather than sending faxes ! Last squad I was in were 24 guys, almost 50% green hats - just depends on the roject and how busy things are.

You could however try the drilling companies. If things are picking up they will take you on as a trainee rig spark. Tough job, but it us an option.

Experience - heavy industry, petrochem etc will help. Again, you may face the Compex barrier for petrochem.

 

[jackso]

I imagine a CompEx qual is essential. I’m told it’s quite a toughie. Especially the practical unless you’re used to the types of gas tight glands they use.

You are correct. A CompEx qualification is required for offshore but also very useful to secure employment in many industries. Chemicals, Oil refinery, Water boards, Biomass. The 5 day course is very intensive, I would recommend the 2 day, CompEx Foundation Course which provides all of the working in potentially hazardous areas theory. Then progress to the 5 day course at a later date. There are Compex training centres in many locations, throughout the UK.