Most relevant courses for the job?

[FrankieB]

Hi to everyone. Im new to the site so bare with me if this is a common question. Firstly I will say that after serving 6 years in the RAF as a weapons tech I am very interested in a career offshore, and having heard and read so much about the ROV side, this would be my first choice by far.
I realise that qualifications play a huge part in the selection process and for good reason. I have an NVQ in aircraft engineering and a BTEC for my efforts in the military. However I dont have a huge electrical background (i did a fair amount during training, but most of my current job is technical, working with ejection seats and missiles etc) and my knowledge of hydraulics is limited 😯 . Therefore I was looking for advice on which courses to do before applying. I have looked into HNCs and NVQs in Electrical engineering and Electronics. Are there any others that would be especially usefull, for example in hydraulics etc ❓ I realise that any of these would help, however I dont have the time or money to do loads of courses, maybee just one or two at a push. Also what chance is there of getting a job with what I already have, and should I apply whilst still completing a course? To be honest, due to the lack of cash Id be hoping to be trained by the company should I be lucky enough to land a job.

Cheers for reading

[Ray Shields]

The training that companies supply are on the equipment, not on to become a technician or engineer.

As long as you have people with more experience and qualifications than you applying for jobs, you will always be below them Im afraid.

NVQ/SVQs would be the way ahead, if you cant afford it/have the time, decide which route you would be happiest going down – electrical/electronics or mechanical/hydraulics as basically you will have to fit into one of those whne you work offshore.

Then do the NVQ/SVQ for that route.

If you haven’t already done so, have a read through the FAQs on the subject on here (link over on the left hand side to FAQs.

[FrankieB]

Cheers for the advice.

By that do you mean an NVQ would be more appealing to an employer than an HNC? Also I was under the impression that both electrical and Hydraulic qualifications were greatly appreciated in the ROV world, is this true? I realise that the companies training would be on equipment type and feel I have the experience and ability as a technician to be a suitible candidate.I just want to further my chances of selection by gaining a couple of qualifications whilst I have the free time before I leave the RAF.

Cheers

[Ray Shields]

Both electrics and hydraulics are ideal but as you said you didnt have the time/money I would pick one side or the other to come down on and do.

HNC would be good, but with your experience and NVQ/SVQ would probably suffice for the academic qualifications. HNCs take a couple of years dont they? (a while since I did one!)

[beagle]

I did a Hydraulics course with Tech Training Solutions (google it!)
Its not going to make you the Guru…however it was a reasonably priced course and one to one tuition and its C&G and Amicus certification..its only a week out of your resettlement and a string to your bow…
Also if you qualify for ELC grants then look at COLU university of teeside they do a level 3 qual in Electrical and Mechanical engineering by distance learning which is a good grounding prior to HNC/D…..The resettlement process can be an epic and funding isn’t great…. you soon run out of cash!!
Good luck and let us know how you get on…

[FrankieB]

Cheers for the advice guys, I think im going to give the electrical engineering HNC a go via distance learning as I will probarbly have at least another 12 or 18 months left in the RAF (in the absence of a miracle lol). I can do 3 HNCs in electrical engineering, electronics and manufacturing which come as a package (my BTEC covers some modules) and are paid for with learning credits. So I aim to blast through them in my free time – Im single so aint got no excuse! Im gonna give the hydraulics a look into aswell and hopefully get myself some sort of certificate in that aswell. Ta again!

[Author]

Posts