Transferable Skills

[Archie]

Looking for some info I am currently a licenced aircraft engineer licenced on basically every aspect of aircraft including airframe, engines, instruments, electrical, autopilot and radio/radar. I have over 20 years experience in the aircraft industry but am seriously thinking about a change of carear.
Having read through many areas of the site I am unsure if the ROV route is the best option due to the general feeling that pay rates are lower for the ROV side as opposed to other technical roles within the industry.
Any advice on what specific areas would be best to traget given my previous experience would be appreciated.

[Steven]

Hi there mate,

I can understand your concerns as i have been offered a position as a trainee pilot tech and some of the comments and complaints on this site are quite off putting.

I can imagine how a website would look if everyone in my current workplace commented on a public forum and it wouldnt paint a pretty picture of a job which is actually quite good. Im hoping that a job in the ROV industry is better than the people on here portray it to be otherwise i could be making a terrible career move.

[James McLauchlan]

The feedback (negative or otherwise) you read on this site, is often from people that have been in the ROV and offshore industry a good few years. They often have lived and worked all over the planet. I am one of those. Here at ROVworld I try to offer a balanced view of the ROV industry as I understand it today.

Basically, if you have a solid technical background, such as the OP (Arch), and can get a foot in the door you’ll do fine. If you currently earn a standard onshore wage as a tech, have about 4 weeks leave a year then, after a couple of years, you’ll be much better off (probably doubling your current income and only working about 180 days a year) when you are in regular work on the ROV side of things.

After a few years you’ll see what is meant by rates lagging on the ROV side when compared to other technical and some non tech trades for other offshore rig based positions.

If you have no technical background and you are looking at ROV as an option you should look elsewhere as you could end ups spending thousands in training fees and still not get a look in.

I worked with ROV’s for about 10 years… It was a real blast. Would I do the same again? Yes I most likely would, but I’d look at other options open to me before heading down the ROV path. I currently work offshore on ROV & Diving vessels, but in a different capacity.

Is the ROV industry fragmented and underpaid compared to other offshore jobs… yes it is.
Is it an interesting easy going job.. mostly yes.
Is it well paid? Not as well paid as it should be.
Will you be poor on ROV P/T rates? Not a chance in hell. You’ll have a reasonable income for sure but it’ll likely not be as well paid as others with similar skill sets working in other offshore slots.

[John Bridgett]

The feedback (negative or otherwise) you read on this site, is often from people that have been in the ROV and offshore industry a good few years. They often have lived and worked all over the planet. I am one of those. Here at ROVworld I try to offer a balanced view of the ROV industry as I understand it today.

Basically, if you have a solid technical background, such as the OP (Arch), and can get a foot in the door you’ll do fine. If you currently earn a standard onshore wage as a tech, have about 4 weeks leave a year then, after a couple of years, you’ll be much better off (probably doubling your current income and only working about 180 days a year) when you are in regular work on the ROV side of things.

After a few years you’ll see what is meant by rates lagging on the ROV side when compared to other technical and some non tech trades for other offshore rig based positions.

If you have no technical background and you are looking at ROV as an option you should look elsewhere as you could end ups spending thousands in training fees and still not get a look in.

I worked with ROV’s for about 10 years… It was a real blast. Would I do the same again? Yes I most likely would, but I’d look at other options open to me before heading down the ROV path. I currently work offshore on ROV & Diving vessels, but in a different capacity.

Is the ROV industry fragmented and underpaid compared to other offshore jobs… yes it is.
Is it an interesting easy going job.. mostly yes.
Is it well paid? Not as well paid as it should be.
Will you be poor on ROV P/T rates? Not a chance in hell. You’ll have a reasonable income for sure but it’ll likely not be as well paid as others with similar skill sets working in other offshore slots.

Good post, well put

[Gary Wheat]

Hi Arch, I have been reading this forum for some time now, trying to make an informed decision before leaving the navy. The ROV industry looks good and I now have my heart set on it.
Thank you jamesmc for your advice. I really appreciate it.

[turtle]

Well stated James Mc.

A couple years ago my now 25 year old son showed interest in an ROV career. After dissecting reasons for his interest, I helped steer him to a course that would lead to obtaining 3rd Engineer on US flagged vessels. His first job out of school is with a union company. He’s got a regular rotation and within a few years will be on a rate, with benefits, long term job security and retirement plan that I believe exceeds where he would be had he chosen the ROV path.

I would not change the life I’ve had in the ROV biz but if I was starting today I’d look at other occupations that fit the offshore lifestyle.

[Boyd Sofield]

Hi Arch. A fellow LAME looking to get into ROV! Nice one. Gee you did well staying in the airline industry for so long! Although you will miss the hostesses. There are not many women offshore…….

Skills wise, you already have more than a lot of ROVers except for electronics and the basic offshore safety awarenesses. Of course you will need to get some stick time.

Money wise, personally I am way better off then any of the airline work or contracting work I did as a LAME.

I dont know how much an intro course will help you except for the piece of paper that employers like to see. Silly really and I found the guy who runs the Perth course is a complete tosser. I ended up getting a job without doing an intro course but its up to you.

Best way into the industry for you, and only my opinion, is do a OGUK medical first to see if you are ok. Then what I did is pay for my own BOSIET which made me ‘ready to go" and get your CV and name out to all the guys you know in the industry. Most times when companies are looking for ppl its last minute.

Now is probably a good time too – lots of guys want to be home for xmas.

Regards

[Ray Shields]

I dont know how much an intro course will help you except for the piece of paper that employers like to see.

Then what I did is pay for my own BOSIET which made me ‘ready to go" and get your CV and name out to all the guys you know in the industry. Most times when companies are looking for ppl its last minute.

Now is probably a good time too – lots of guys want to be home for xmas.

I would disagree that companies look for a piece of paper from a course, the opposite in fact. They want someone who has qualifications and experience at repairing equipment.

And you would not be "ready to go", as despite having medical, survival etc. you would still be a Trainee and have to do company inductions and usually some of their training. You certainly would not be stuck out a Christmas because they are short.

I would always recommend if people are already suitable technically to apply, dont waste money getting your medical, survival etc. as if a company wants to employ you they will put you through it, its run of the mill stuff to them. I don’t know of anyone who was taken on because they already had them, they are taken on because of their skills and qualifications.

good luck.

[Boyd Sofield]

Mmmm some good points there Ray but mate just like me, you are not speaking for the whole industry. I was only telling my story. I was told many times I needed to do a basic ROV course before companies would even look at my CV – pfft. This is a AU$8600 course, which, now after being in the industry for 6 years I feel is a rip off. And then I was hired by a company who actually did look at it (my CV) – they were happy enough without the course and I was on the water two weeks later. I will also mention I have seen a lot of guys come and go, not for their skills but because they know someone or have a family member already in the industry.

Any inductions I have done are on the first day with a supervisor or via email.

As for the medical – I advise anyone who is looking to go offshore to get one first before investing any further money into training just incase they don’t pass.

Anyway – all food for thought and free opinion. Oh and yeh – I am stepping off my tub in a couple days. Lots of guys are off for xmas so my company was looking for ppl for sure. Best Regards

[Author]

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