Im looking to change my career after xmas, sitting in an office doing the same old thing isnt for me any more - theres more to life.
Im looking to become a plumber and be my own boss but am also considering working off shore, I’d love to travel about and work in all sorts of conditions - anyone have any advice on how to get into this?
Ta
Mark,
If you want to work in the oil industry you have two options dependant upon your skills and qualifications. Think of it this way most platforms and rigs have most of the services that would keep a small town running such as catering, power generation, aviation, medical services as well as the actual drilling and production of oil and gas.
Firstly if you have a relevant degree (geology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chief, maybe computing) then I suggest that you approach companies that provide services to the oil rigs, try a google search on ‘Oil field service companies’ this should yield names such as Baker Atlas, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Expro……etc. then approach these companies direct with your CV.
The second option if you think your skills are not relevant is to approach the rig operators try a google search for ‘roustabouts, roughnecks, oild field drillers’ with this option you will be aiming to go in at a low skill level and basically spend a few years running around doing the most meanial of tasks, if however you are remotely intelligent, which I think you probably are you will find it quite easy to climb up the ladder to a more important position.
Some companies may express an interest if you have your offshore survival certificates, to find out more search for ‘Petrofac or RGIT’
http://www.petrofactraining.com/training-services/default.asp
Initially which ever route you take the work will be relatively low paid, recently there has been an influx of low skilled people choosing to try out offshore life, so it may be hard to initially get in, but if you have the right aptitude then you can quickly become highly skilled and well paid. Most companies also offer generous training so you can always further your career.
Initially I started with Halliburton as a Geologist, quickly moved on to a smaller geological company with a better reputation, then after quitting to study for a masters Joined shell as a Petrophysicist. Now, in my 7th year of the industry Im a consultant developing multiple oils and gas fields for a variety of investement companies on a global scale.
PM me if you want any further advice.
R
not just a pretty face eh Trigger?
If you want to try something a bit different a chap I know is retiring and looking for a replacement if your interested?
Criteria is as follows:
You are only employed two nights a year. Duties are as follows:
Delivering presents from the Elves’ factory in the North Pole to all the good children world-wide Carrying out work whilst the children are asleep to avoid detection Delivering presents in a nine-reindeer flying sleigh Gaining access to premises from the roof via chimney Payment in the form of tips (generally mince pies and sherry) To be succesfull in this role you need to be Jolly, quite fat, have a beard, be happy to work with animals and children.
If your interested let me know and i’ll pass on your details! 
I have some family based in Scotland who work on rigs-2 are draughtsman (sp?) and 1 does IT stuff. They make great money and have a good amount of time off to enjoy it but they are all trying to get out of it because the time away is long and miserable. Cabins very small and cramped, no privacy, miss family and kids growing up etc.
It would be a change to sitting at a desk, suppose it depends what you want and your home circumstances.
