Trainee ROV Pilot Technician

[Nimrov]

Hi, I was wondering if any companies are looking for Trainee ROV Pilot Technicians at the moment? ❓

I have been sending my CV off to all the big players eg. Acergy, SS7, OIS, Fugro etc., but none of them are taking on until the end of the year.
I was wondering if any companies are looking for a young, very experienced RAF Technician, who is needing a lucky break and a quick exit to civvy street?

If not then it looks like I will be waiting a bit longer then……….. 🙁

Hope someone has some +ve feedback???

Cheers

😀

[AMO]

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.

[Ray Shields]

Fugro are taking people on every few months. Did you get a reply back from them? If it was a thanks but no vacancies at present but we will keep you on file, there is a bit of hope as people who applied almost 12 months have received interviews from them.

If its a thanks but no thanks then they feel your CV isnt up to scratch and wont consider you even for an interview.

[pictish]

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

[temp]

Nimrov

If companies you sent your CV off to have told you they aren’t taking on trainees until end of the year, it sounds like you have at least been getting some replies?

It pays to keep trying, send your CV off again to same companies nearer the time they say they will be recruiting, follow up with phone calls or visit in person if possible. Meantime you could try some of the smaller companies, and/or try for work in other offshore-related companies. It may help when applying to ROV companies again if you are already working in the offshore sector. Depends what your trade is, i.e. electrical/electronics or mechanical/hydrulics, engines etc. Plenty of offshore support companies employ techs of all trades. It maybe useful to try and get some experience in areas outside of your core trade areas, as ROV techs have to be able to work on all aspects.

You say you are looking for a ‘quick exit to civvy street’. If you are leaving after completing your full term, then I guess your leaving date is fixed anyway. If considering PVR’ing, I thought that you had to give 12 months notice, or has this changed?

If not getting replies to CV, take a look at advice elsewhere on this site regarding how to structure your CV to put across transferrable skills and experience so as to appeal to potential employers. Main thing for ex-forces guys is to avoid military jargon, put it into civilianised terms, emphasise experience of teamwork, living and working away from home under harsh conditions, work on safety-critical systems to high standards, reliabilty, used to hard work under pressure etc, blah blah..

Companies generally don’t really know/appreciate what e.g. a ‘JNCO Airframe Fitter on Nimrod MR2’ is, so describe JNCO as Supervisor, and fitter as mechanical/hydraulics technician, or e.g. ‘AFCS’ as computer controlled electromechanical flight control systems etc – get the picture.

Sounds like ISK has been losing a lot of people recently PVR’ing etc, are things really getting that bad?

Good luck
temp

[Nimrov]

Thanks a lot for the advice / info etc. Much appreciated!

So what’s it like being an ROV Pilot Tech? I know the bones of the typical work shifts/ rotations etc., but what about other stuff like does the job get tedious? Is the pay really that good? And the tax free wages? Its just that I really fancy this job, but I don’t want to jump ship only to find I’ve been too hasty, and end up in a job thats not quite what I had expected!!
I’m totally fine with being at sea for long periods, as my old boys a Master Mariner, and I’ve been on ships etc. all my days, in fact I nearly joined the Merchant Navy instead of the RAF. I’ve had a look at what vessels the main companies are using. Are these ok? Cabins, internet etc?

I know this post could be redirected in other forums but I just want some good gen please!!!

Again………………….Cheers
Spey 250

[Paul Bond]

Working with ROVs offshore is like any other job or walk of life – good days / bad days, good people / bad people, good work sites / bad work sites etc etc.
The moaning on here about pay is generally regarding different companies and different offshore jobs – it is normally better than onshore jobs for the time worked ie 6 months, but it isn’t film star wages especially at the start, (and it isn’t always tax free!!)
One mans meat is another mans poison – the only way you will know if you like it is to try it.

Good luck 😀

[temp]

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

[Nimrov]

Thanks again guys for the info. Much appreciated…….again!

What about Fugro Rovtech? Are they a good company to work for? I’ve had a look on their website and their ships look good, but was just wanting some actual facts about what their working conditions, pay scales ( although i’m sure they will be the same as everyone else for trainees!), and any other good / bad points etc?

Also who is the best company to actually get employment with, or are they all pretty much the same??

Any more info is always appreciated, and thanks for your time.

Cheers

Spey250

[Ray Shields]

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.

[TheProphet]

They are taking on anyone who will work in Nigeria part of your contract i think 🙂

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