Trying to get a start…

Hmmm

very eductaional lostboy.

and exactly how long were you offshore for before your first payrise or promotion?

I’ll bet it wasn’t two years.

And very few companies pay ‘double bubble’. Some don’t pay xmas and new year bonuses either.

Stumpy

I would imagine you’d earn roughly the same as your current job. You can do the maths.
Get an appraisal off your supervisor (or superintendant) every trip and as soon as you’ve done six months with the company start making noises about promotion.

If they don’t get you off trainee within a year, seriuosly consider moving somewhere else. Most agencies will consider you after a year with a major, then you can decide what your willing to work for.

Keep copies of all your appraisals to use as evidence if you do decide to move.

And pay no attention to the lostboys, etc. They’re all a bit bitter at ‘the system’ and tend to take it out on trainees as they’re an easy target. They’re usually fairly toothless offshore though.

Stumpy

I started out 12 years ago and made more than your old job in my first year and rates have gone up since then.

It is a good time to get into the industry now as times are busy. It is not for everyone but worth a try if you can hack being away from your family at least half the year, then again you do get more quality time with them when other guys that work on the beach are doing loads of overtime at nights and weekends.

You should be looking at nearer £40K and up with some experience under your belt, you just need to look at the pay scales on this web site which is a little out of date due to all the negotiations around at the moment.

All the Best

Thinsub

Stumpy

Nah, just over a week. It came in the post.

I think you’d have to be a right numpty to not make a reasonable wage once your started. Fugro, or any of the others for that matter, aren’t going to have you sitting around at home more than they need to. Theres lots going on offshore and they need all the guys/gals they can get out there.

How do you feel the interview went?

Matt

Personally I felt the interview went very well, but you can never quite tell. 😕

I feel that if it was based just on qualifications and experience in electrical/mechanical engineering then I should be sorted, but I am sure that Mr McKay also takes a lot more in to consideration, such as attitude and temperament. After all we will be working in a pretty harsh environment both mentally and physically so I am sure they know what personal qualities are also required.
So, you reckon a week or so. That is not too long.
Thanks for the heads up.
I will let you know how I get on. 😉

Stumpy, I assume he told you the pay rates and offshore allowances. If not PM me and I will let you know what they are (at least at present). Dave does take a lot more into account. As a trainee I would not count on 183 days during the first year, it can be a lot less as there are limited places they can slot you in till you get the experience.

The paycut when you first start offshore can be a killer, but if you can make it through the first year – year n half, it does get better (assuming you can do the job of course!). You have to do the maths n see if your finances can cope, if you can, it will pay off in the long run.

If you get the job, youll be on the course with myself n flymatt on April 9th in Aberdeen 🙂

Stumpy,

I’ve just completed my first year with Fugro. Like you i thought i would be taking a pay cut but at the end of the year i’ve made about 30k for 190 days. Are you sure your figures are correct? there is a pay rise once you’ve completed your probationary 6 months so maybe you need to take that into account. Rays the man to contact if you need to know any more.

As of being a trainee, i’m still one after a year dispite being recomended every appraisal for PT2 so expect it to be longer than that whatever they tell you. The managers ignore you when you try to contact them too. All in all it’s worth you taking the job because the course is good and if you can knuckle down and get through the year it’ll all be rosy.

If I was still a trainee after more than a year I think I would be knocking on some doors big man!You only need 180 days offshore to jump to P/T 1 going by imca guidelines.

As you said – GUIDELINES. Not hard and fast. Too many people look at the calendar and say "oh, 1 year, I am now a PT2" or whatever.

It is about if you can DO the job, not HOW LONG you have attended.

However, I do also agree that some people are kept down a grade far too long, but there are also some people who should never be promoted (and I know Joe aint one of them 😀 )