Chicken or the egg??

[Colin Gaskin]

Good Evening All,

Currently looking at using my education grant from the military to do some ROV courses. Just wanted to ask the experienced amongst you. Is it better to do the courses first or try and find work placements first in the industry and get get in house trg?

I come from an Electrical and Mechanical background (mainly mechanical) after nearly 15 years service in the REME. I’m not entirely sure if my military qualifications and experience count for much in the commercial world. I’m working in the Maritime Industry at the moment and would like to combine the two experiences and get back into the Engineering Maintenance and Inspection side of things.

If anybody has experienced the same or could offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards for 2013

[Ray Shields]

Forces time and experience definitely counts in the offshore industry.

No-one can learn and gain suitable experience in ROVs until they get a job in ROVs. Employers know thts, this is why they employ people why they feel will have the technical ability to repair and maintain them, hence the emphasis in appropriate skills, qualifications and experience.

If your background is mainly mechanical, I would suggest getting additional qualifications in electrics/electronics.

I would also not limit yourself to ROVs, there are many other jobs offshore, most of which pay more money than ROVs!

[Lacombe]

"I would also not limit yourself to ROVs, there are many other jobs offshore, most of which pay more money than ROVs!"

say rayshield

Hi

Crane ,hoist ,winch maintenance for example…..

[Colin Gaskin]

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the info. Has anybody else made the leap from military engineering into ROV Support?

[Ray Shields]

The majority of ex Forces I’ve worked with offshore are ex RAF, some Navy but not so many Army

[James McLauchlan]

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the info. Has anybody else made the leap from military engineering into ROV Support?

Army wise Ex RE or EX REME with mech/elec tech training/experience will do fine.
I’m Ex RE.

[Colin Gaskin]

Well it sounds positive guys,

I really like the idea of looking at this further. Especially if it keeps me working in the offshore world and with the same kind of rotations that I do now if possible.

As there are alot of companies mentioned on here in the relevent sections I will search through and look to see if any are willing to employ through previous experience alone. Obviously I will probably have to some formal training but if you know of any companies that openly accept newbies from a forces engineering background it would be greatly appreciated?

Not trying to shortcut in any way or abuse the system here guys, its purley that nearly every company I have googled has requested certain ROV experience before application.

Best regards, hope everybody has managed to shake the New Year Hangovers?

[Ray Shields]

What you are looking for is an ROV Trainees job, very rarely are they advertised as thousands of people are looking to become an ROV Pilot so companies usually rarely have to advertise.

The jobs posted on here tend to be for existing ROV Pilots/Supervisors. Most of these adverts are posted by Agencies, not the ROV companies themselves. Read through all the previous messages, especially in the Rookie section, as well as the FAQs.

[Colin Gaskin]

Thanks Ray,

Yeah thats about the long and short of it. Been tinkering with my CV (any proof readers out there?) 😆 and started to trawl the net to see who to apply to first. But as you rightly point out, the start up positions are few and far between. I am hoping for a call back off the back of the military engineering experience and the last 3 years as a security engineer in the oil and gas industry both onshore and offshore.

I’m even looking at getting my NDT experience accredited as the military certs make very little reference to the types we were trained to.

Really appreciate the tips guys and information. Will keep plugging away and post if I get a bite.

[Gary Wheat]

Hi Burma.
I am in a similar situation to you. If you are in resettlement and have registered with the CTP then keep checking the Right Job website. Some ROV companies advertise for trainee positions and specifically target forces engineers. There aren’t any advertised at the moment but keep looking. I missed out on 1 last October because I hadn’t started my resettlement.
The best advice I have received so far is keep hounding the ROV companies. Keep sending your CV’s, keep letting them know you are interested and keep badgering until they eventually give up and interview you.
I am into phase 1 of operation "Perseverance"
Best of luck

[Colin Gaskin]

Cheers mate,

Deffinately digging in for this one.

Best of luck

[Colin Gaskin]

Evening all

Well getting a little closer to answering the age old question. Thanks to some fantastic responses on here and via pm’s I’ve passed my CV around like a used lads mag and its starting to pay off. Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those that have helped and continuing to do so.

Fingers crossed will be looking to get back into being a recruit/trainee (in civvies this time) soon. IF nothing comes of it, at least it proves that this site works in at least trying to help the non initiated like me trying to break into off shore and advise where they can.

Burma

[Colin Gaskin]

Evening all,

Well didnt get to do what I wanted this time round courses wise/interviews but just wanted to say thanks to all that helped with the PM’s and advice. Been some positive stuff. Heading back to my current job and will keep plodding on in the meantime…..yeah I know lucky to be working in these times but its not where I want to stay.

Good luck to all those searching and congrats to those starting out. I’ll be back on here to let you know how I get on.

Top tip those of you in high risk areas, get a good read of your security plans and Best Management Practices for Piracy. Alot of people getting turned over for the sake of a few easy countermeasures – Stay safe all

Burma

[Wade Berglund]

I am ex RCN/RN submariner and did the course in FW but that was paid for by my company……wish you all the best! Being ex military brings a better feel for the job since you have professional feel and focus to getting job done. However offshore life and ROV experience does matter a lot in the CV factor.

Some people do have a dislike…but respect to ex military members. Especially if you harp on…..about "Well back in the……" So in the short focus bit just sit back and learn….

All the best mate

[John Bridgett]

Being ex military brings a better feel for the job since you have professional feel and focus to getting job done.

All the best mate

Not sure I agree with you there, I’m NOT ex military and I’ve never had a chain of command above me giving me orders, I’ve had to think for myself which is advantageous when working offshore.

J

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