American ROV Training Schools.

[ROVJoe]

So I graduated from an ROV school here in America. I received some certificates in the area of Electronics, Hydraulics, Fiber Optics, Offshore Survival etc… etc… I have no background experience in ROV’s except from the training I received at this school. Upon my graduation I found that most of the companies to which I have applied are looking for experienced Techs only. Many others advised me that they do their hiring out of Aberdeen. I am getting to the point where I think I am going to stop looking. Maybe I should get a “job” as an electronics tech for a couple of years and then try to look again. I have had one offer from a company to be data support tech but I could not believe the low pay they offered. I could make more money flipping hamburgers. CAN ANYONE HELP? ? ? ?

[TheBaron]

ROVJoe, firstly I’d like to commiserate with you for how things have turned out.
Secondly, I’d suggest that you delete your post in its entirety! You are not exactly sending out the kind of positive vibes an employer of ANY company in ANY sector of employment would want to hear! Believe it or not, the ROV game can have some very trying moments where you just wished that you never left terra firma. The last thing your colleagues need is, frankly, a quitter! You might think I’m a little harsh, but sleep on it and you will know where I’m coming from.
Now, the more humane side of me wants to help in some way, for the good and benefit of all wannabees. Please answer the following questions:

1.Before you signed up for the ‘ROV School’, did you know about the existence of this forum?

2.If so, did you read the numerous debates about the pro’s and cons of ROV courses/schools?

3.If so, did you think the overall consensus was for, or against ROV courses/schools?

Unfortunately you now have a fistful of certificates that equal the square root of f*ck-all, and a lot of expectations. You say that you are considering getting a job as an electronics technician for a couple of years, then having another go. By this statement, I have to assume that you have already completed an indentured apprenticeship or 3 years of technical college. Then what is the problem? The ROV industry is crying out for ET’s!
Remember, you deserve no more than you have earned.

[Bill Evans]

Good comments Baron, fair call on the positive attitude.
ROVJoe is not not getting a job because he DID a course, so straight back at you with the negative attitude towards courses.
I also empathise with him, and my advice is to hang in there mate – concentrate your efforts. Work out what is effective and efficient in terms of applying for jobs (having qualifications ain any field does NOT guarantee a job – just ask all the uni graduates out there). There is a difference between activity and productivity.
The biggest mistake I see from new guys is that they send out CVs and wait for someone to phone them. In this game, the guy that phones when the ops manager needs someone is the one that gets the job. SO phone on a regular basis ROVJoe, spread your contacts worldwide (we are a worldwide industry). If you have the quals that the Baron has assumed (I think maybe not?) then you are going to get picked up by someone!
Keep positive and keep trying. Remember what Calvin Coolidge said:
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Good luck

[TheBaron]

Hello again ROVtrain! When I posted I was hoping that you would have a little input on this thread, as I think this is important for newcomers to the industry. I was a little surprised that you were straight on the defensive with:”ROVJoe is not not getting a job because he DID a course, so straight back at you with the negative attitude towards courses.”
If you read my thread again you will see that I went out of my way to write a neutral factfinding thread. The reasons why I composed my questions in such a way was to highlight the importance of research before you commit to anything. Look before you leap. If, our friend ROVJoe had had a look around he would have stumbled upon all sorts of good advice relating to promoting himself, getting that interview, what doors to knock on, how to get to the doors, what employers want, what experience is desired, et cetera, et cetera. Basically, it’s all here for him….on a freakin’ plate! To play the sympathy card on this forum will not put you in good standing with future employers. I want all wannabees to see that what ROVJoe has done will not win Brownie points in any walk of life, so don’t go there!
Let’s rewind a little and look at what lessons can be learned from this tête-à-tête:
The course/’school’ that ROVJoe took may or may not have been a good induction to the ROV industry(I can’t speculate), but did the course fail him, or was it his mental attitude which failed him? Did the course prepare him for future recruitment? It’s tricky, but I’m of the opinion that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. I’d suspect that the school would have provided the knowledge, but ROVJoe didn’t utilise it effectively.

Qualifications: ROVtrain, your suspicions about my thoughts are bang-on, but I’m not going to call the man a liar. If he in fact had the qualifications he alluded to, we wouldn’t be writing now. OK, we all have a little bluff on occasion, but let’s not get deluded. That’s when trouble starts. Regardless, he would have realised that there are alternative routes to achieve his aim, if only he had explored them.

Attitude: OK, ROVJoe has got the message. IT’S BLOODY IMPORTANT!!!

ROVJoe: Second thoughts about deleting your post…….leave it there and change your username. At least it may benefit other prospective ROV p/t’s.

[Cabledog]

ROVjoe,

This is just from my point of view, I have been looking at moving into the ROV’s over the last few months, researched all the rov p/t courses you can think off, then asked a few questions on this site.
Fortunately for me I have the background both at sea and on the engineering side of things but that does not mean I will get a shot. ROVtrain and Baron are two of the guys who answered my questions, along with rayshields and pipepiper they have hit the nail on the head.

Sort out the CV, the FAQ page here helps a lot. Send it out and follow it up after a few days but keep chasing, all this info is on the site in various places, have a look around. I still have not parted with my cash for a course and I have a good possibility of getting a start. (will let you know). Not saying where just yet in case I F*%K it up 😳

At the end of the day mate it comes down to attitude like the guys say as well as perserverance and belief in yourself, especially after a few knock backs. If this is the right theatre for you to work in you WILL get there, if it’s not you won’t.
As the quys are into their quotes heres on that I find works well here;

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."

For those of you who have been around the site a while, NO the quote did not come from Trout 😆 😆

Keep Smiling

[Andy Shiers]

Of coarse there is also your personality to tend with .
When you go to an interview , They will be gauging on how you answer as well as whether you know anything or not.
Good luck 🙂

[Cabledog]

True LB,

But personality you can work around, if the attitude is wrong there is nothing that can be done. You don’t HAVE to like a guy to work in a team wit him, but he MUST have the correct attitude for the job.

[thinsub]

It helps a lot to be like of a likable personality as being on a team with someone with an unpleasant demeanour can make a trip drag along way for all in the team. I personally would rather work with someone that is good craic and I may have to carry him a little technically than a right misery guts.

We do have to get on offshore with our colleges as you do spend more than half your life out there with them.

So personality is a big factor offshore some can hack it others can’t.

[Cabledog]

Thinsub,

Over the past 15 years or so I have worked with some personality issues at sea, as long as he/she gets the job done you can look beyond it. If he/she needs to be carried but is good craic, granted it makes the social side of being stuck on a boat more agreeable but it also adds to the pressure on your own job. To be honest it is a hard one to call and I suppose it takes all sorts to keep things interesting and ticking over, however I don’t think to many misery guts survive to long.

[TheBaron]

Another important aspect asides from attitude and personality, is HYGIENE! You would be surprised how often it is used as the deciding factor when choosing personnel for crew changes.

[Andy Shiers]

I think…………………. I can name a few smelly barstewards Baron 😆
Yes , I would go along with that . Fat , smelly bigheads that belong in an abottoir 😀

[TheBaron]

Lastgirl, do you remember that surveyor who had his shoes Brylubed and put at the far end of the deck? God almighty he was one stinking cesspit!!!

[Cabledog]

The worst of the lot are the ones who sniff their fingers after clearing out the toe-jam man 😆 😆

[adam gautney]

hello everyone im looking for a school in the us for entry leave certifications i have training in hydraulics,mechanics,fiber optics,communications systems(all in military service) i know its not the same as a collage education but it is what i have . i have all the certification needed to work on and american flagged ship as a deck hand and some sea time im looking to advance my career into this field. if anyone knows of a vocational school send me a message.

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