Trainee ROV Pilot Technician

Hi Nimrov,

I’m heading for Acergy (Aberdeen) we start training on 9 July. Don’t know whether they have filled all slots yet!?!

Maybe you should try them again.

Theres alot of other jobs in the aberdeen area for techs both electronic and hydraulic/mech both offshore and onshore[9-5 hours] wages range from 20-30k onshore plus overtme to dayrate type stuff offshore you may find some listings here
http://www.oilcareers.com

they tend to have all the employment agency stuff as well and cover rest of uk

Nimrov

Working on ROV’s can be quite a bit different from other engineering type jobs. In most industries you are either an operator OR a fixer (e.g aircraft pilot or tech, process plant operator or maintenance tech). On ROV’s you are both an operator (‘Pilot’) AND a Technician, and many people enjoy the dual role.

Also, whilst concentrating on your main trade areas (electrical/electronic or mechanical/hydraulic), you are expected to turn your hand to all aspects, which can be daunting if not done much outside of your trade before, a lot to learn. The piloting side comes with experience, everyone starts as a trainee on that aspect.

The work, like most jobs, can sometimes be dull e.g. inspecting KM after KM of pipeline doesn’t do it for me, or sitting watching gas bubbles, but it can also be quite a buzz at times, e.g. piloting in challenging conditions is something you don’t tend to get tired of, when it all works out ok. Solving a difficult fault then getting the thing back in the water and getting the job done is usually pretty satisfying, if you thrive on that sort of challenge.

Not sure what the typical starting pay is for trainees at present, but after you have built up a couple of years experience it can be fairly well paid, despite us all moaning about it. There are some niche industries where you can earn similar amounts onshore or overseas, but mostly it compares well to what other technician level jobs pay, certainly in UK/EU.

Plus, whilst you can expect to be away from home for a total of up to 6 months per year (or more if you want in current climate), this also means a similar amount of time at home. Many other travelling tech jobs I have done outside of ROV, you are also expected to be in the office or workshop in between overseas trips.

The industry is booming a bit at the moment, but over any period of years there are often downturns in the oil & gas (and cable laying) industries. Not a problem if you put money aside in the good years. Doing contract work can be a bit of a shock if you have always had a regular salary every month in your previous job, but you soon get used to it.

Yes people can get tax back if they meet certain conditions throughout the year, but not guaranteed, nice if get it though.

Ships and rigs vary a lot, many are fairly comfortable and well-equipped, good facilities and comms, free phone, email/internet access, gymn, sat tv, dvd’s, games consoles etc, quite often reasonably good food, share cabin with opposite shift-mate (so effectively own cabin), whilst others are crap, depends where you go and who working for.

Most job moves are reversible; if you find a particular job or career path in civvy street is not for you, then change direction. The only thing not so easy to go back on is deciding to leave the mob. If it has run its course for you and you are not getting what you want out of it and see no future in it, then its probably time to move on.

What I missed most when I left were the opportunities I had taken every year for sports, expeds, adventure training courses etc, all at HM taxpayer expense, although with current forces commitments I don’t think people get the same amount of time off nowadays. The overseas travel was good, but I guess spending several months away each year in some sandpit sh*thole that recent operations have been in is not so glamorous.

If you have not had enough of working on aircraft and thing you may want to keep that option open, be aware that it can be difficult to gain your civilian licences once you have been away from aircraft for a certain time. Something worth considering if you are in 2 minds about what you want to do.

Now is probably a good time to get into the ROV industry, if you do defer your decision for a few years it could well all change.

temp

See the thread entitles Fugro Rovtech pay rates to see what pay they are offering.

They have 3 good boats, but many, many other not so good boats and a lot of rig work – same goes for most companies, dont just look at their ‘flagships’ chances are you wont get on it!

They are taking on about 8 trainees every 2 months at the moment out of hundreds of applicants.