If you have left the military and are open to work, choosing a career in the energy industry makes a lot of sense! The offshore energy industry is a stable and skilled sector. It is always hiring new talent from diverse working backgrounds, and the skills across both sectors are often very transferable.
According to Vettenfall, “an estimated 15% of the offshore wind workforce come from a military background” - it’s therefore clear that services leavers are well-fitted and welcome in the offshore energy industry.
If you are looking for a new career after leaving the military, we at Global Resources Network can support you as you consider offshore drilling jobs. Here are 3 reasons why jobs in the energy industry could be ideal for you…
A major factor is the development of your technical expertise. Many ex-military personnel operated heavy machinery like submarines, motors, and generators - knowledge of these types of machines is a perfect foundation for offshore working.
The offshore sector is also full of engineers; petroleum, chemical, mechanical, robotics, and so on. Likewise, the military employs thousands of engineers across a range of disciplines. The experience you have working in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment will be incredibly useful in an offshore workplace.
Many companies offer courses or schemes to help to upskill service leavers. Various greenhand roustabout programmes or training packages are available once you have decided to join the offshore industry, and are a great way to prepare you for your new career.
There are so many oil rig jobs in Scotland and globally for technically-qualified workers in the offshore industry. Upon completing the offshore requirements such as obtaining a BOSIET and completing medical examinations and a MIST course, you will be ready to begin your offshore career.
The offshore energy industry working environment will also be relatively familiar to any ex-military personnel.
Working in a large team, with a range of skills, in a unique workplace - you’ll be more than accustomed to this environment! Though the hours are long and the work can be tiring, the payoff will be just as satisfying.
Usual shift patterns are 12 hours on, 12 hours off and this is a regular and reliable part of the offshore drilling job. This translates to the overall working schedule too, with offshore workers typically doing a few weeks on a rig, then a few weeks at home. Those who have previously worked in the military usually cope well with the shift patterns and time away from home.
You may have joined the military for the opportunities to travel and work around the world - the offshore energy industry can offer the same benefit. With rigs and platforms from Aberdeen to Texas, or Canada to Norway, there are so many places to which energy could take you.
Slight benefits to offshore drilling jobs over the military, however, could be the increase in the rate of pay, and the regular shift patterns.
Drilling jobs in Scotland, and often around the world, are a stable form of employment, with lots of room for advancement and very good starting salaries. As you acquire more experience and specialised knowledge, you will be compensated accordingly.
Your time in the military will have undoubtedly left you with many excellent skills - and the good news is, these skills are perfect for offshore drilling jobs within the energy industry too! The skills you gain and develop further while working offshore in hydrocarbon energy will also be transferable to jobs in the renewable energy sector. Whilst it is widely publicised and evidenced that transitioning to renewable energy will take many years to achieve, this is helpful as you look towards the long-term prospects of an offshore drilling career.
Within offshore recruitment, a selection of highly useful and transferable skills to offer are:
Life on a rig is very reminiscent of the military. The skills you picked up from being part of a large team working towards one clear goal will help you offshore too.
A big part of life offshore is reacting to problems if and when they arise, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It is vital to be able to communicate clearly when offshore, as every part of the operation needs to run smoothly. Communicating between individuals and departments is therefore key.
You may be interested in leading a team, in which case, any military leadership skills will transfer well.
Offshore working can be hazardous; you are working miles from land with large, heavy machinery. It is a high-pressure environment, and your time in the military will definitely help with this.
A career in the offshore energy industry is an incredibly rewarding one. It is stable, lucrative, and progressive. Furthermore, it is a perfect opportunity for ex-military personnel to make a new and exciting career move.
At GRN, we offer excellent offshore recruitment services for oil rig jobs in Scotland and globally. If you think you’re ready to start looking for your new career in offshore energy, check out our vacancies today. We’d be delighted to support you during this transition.
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