Out on an offshore rig or wind farm, there are always positions to fill. Technicians are rotated in and out by monthly assignments and specialists from third-party companies and suppliers are constantly brought onboard to work on the many moving parts of an offshore site.
Much of this work is temporary. The number of workers hired by contractors far outnumber those hired by operators of offshore oil and gas refineries. And in the face of challenges like record-low prices and a steep skills shortage, demand for flexible and capable workers can only rise.
This presents a lucrative opportunity for qualified individuals to nab a lucrative contract as a freelancer in the offshore energy sector. Senior, highly specialised roles can pay as high as £2,000 per day. These benefits, of course, come to those prepared with the proper hard and soft skills.
Hard Skills
Safety Training
Offshore sites are situated in highly inhospitable environments. Workers, no matter which field they’re from, are exposed daily to massive machines, hazardous materials, and dangerous scenarios you won’t find anywhere else. Safety training is one of the areas employers will look at first. Experience working around heavy machinery will be a plus.
Certification will be required for certain positions. For instance, every offshore worker in the UK is required to complete the Basic Offshore Safety Induction Emergency Training (BOSIET), the Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST), and to pass a medical exam specifically for oil and gas offshore staff.
You can bolster your qualifications by picking up Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET). While not particularly required by many employers, getting certified will help applicants stand out against competition with only standard-level training.
Technical Expertise
Technical knowledge is one of the unchanging requirements of offshore work. Stations and farms are staffed with individuals from a myriad of mathematical and science fields. These include chemical engineers, drillers, and geophysicists.
Many core competencies needed for these roles are transferable for specialists coming from other industrial, related fields. Experience can be what sets you apart from other freelancers with similar qualifications. While a Bachelor’s degree may not be necessary for some positions, an apprenticeship can give you the on-site hours to make your application more competitive. Inspection and installation skills will also remain highly relevant for professionals transitioning from oil and gas into offshore wind. Ability to use industry standard software such as Petrel and Techlog will also be a boon.
Technical writing skills will also be a good skill to have in your arsenal. Specialists are expected to take complex data and findings and translate them into useful recommendations. Writing clear and compelling plans and reports will be crucial for securing buy-in for strategies and new processes.
IT and Analytical Skills
Modern advancements such as sensors, machine learning, and automation have already started changing offshore work. Digitisation is transforming how data is processed up and down the pipeline, and everything from invoices to equipment performance are going live on databases instead of filed away in a cabinet.
The shift can undoubtedly improve the efficiency of operations. But it is also generating large volumes of data at a faster rate than ever before. Employers will be increasingly on the lookout for individuals with the technological and analytical skills required to use software like SAP to manage projects and parse these streams of information into actionable insights.
Soft Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
The ability to work with other people is crucial, especially in close quarters. Offshore workers don’t have the luxury of going home after a long day, and have to live with teammates for weeks at a time. The ability to work together both on shifts and in everyday situations is important.
Empathy is a central skill prospecting freelancers will want to hone. “Seeing issues from another person’s perspective can build trust among colleagues, foster collaboration and creativity and can come with another added benefit; the ability to foresee roadblocks and opportunities,” says Amy Chronis, managing partner at research and consultancy firm Deloitte.
Problem Solving and Time Management
The offshore industry revolves around large projects, whether that’s testing new equipment or replacing current systems. Workers will have their own tasks to accomplish, but the ability to understand their impact within the context of a project, spot problems, and offer potential solutions will be attractive skills to have.
Work is time sensitive by nature, and falling behind can have expensive consequences. Employers will look for individuals with good time management skills to ensure projects are finished on time and within budget.
Communication
An offshore workforce is a collection of different specialists from all backgrounds and nationalities. This is especially true today, when a shortage of skilled workers in the sector is forcing many employers to expatriate. The ability to communicate clearly will be key for reducing and resolving conflict and optimising productivity levels.
Workers also need to constantly communicate with onshore personnel without the benefit of being face-to-face, so the ability to deliver important messages clearly is key. Clear communication is also a critical element for ensuring safety. Many workers are around incredibly noisy machines and have to rely on radios to be heard.
Contractual work has always existed in the offshore sector. However, shifting trends in global demand, a shrinking talent pool, and technological advancements are creating a need for not just traditional technicians and engineers, but also individuals who are technologically adept, can collaborate efficiently, and can learn quickly on the job.
