Thinking of Applying to an Offshore Job? This is What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for a new career path or just another job, you might stumble across listings for offshore jobs. These jobs pay well and usually you have to work for two or three weeks straight to then be off for the same amount of time. Understandably, these kinds of jobs have a lot of appeal! But before you apply straight away, there are a few things you should know and take into consideration! 

1. You’ll work long days

If you’re used to working nine-to-five, an offshore job might kick your ass a bit in the beginning. Most jobs work with two twelve-hour shifts, so be prepared to work long, hard days! After all, offshore industries, like the oil industry, don’t have any ‘time off’. The oil rigs have to be pumping oil 24/7, 7 days a week. And don’t expect anyone to go soft on you just because you’re new – often the newbies get some of the worst jobs just to prove they can handle the work and act responsibly. Are you up for the challenge? 

2. It can be hard mentally

While the good salary and the off time might seem really interesting, you can’t forget that for some people it’s really hard being away from your family for long periods of time. And if you, for instance, get the day shift, you can probably only contact your loved ones at night. These are things you have to keep in mind. Another thing is that you can’t leave the rig until your stint is over; not even when someone in your family for instance has an accident. This can be hard mentally and is something you have to be prepared for. 

3. Expect a lot of training

Because being employed in the offshore industry often comes with a lot of dangers and the work is conducted at open sea, the right medical and safety training is of vital importance. That’s why you’ll have to follow offshore courses. If you want to work in the oil industry, that will be one of the OPITO training courses. For instance, in the OPITO T-HUET, you learn everything you need to know in case of a helicopter emergency. Often gas and oil installations are reached by flying in workers with helicopters, so then you’ll need to know specific pre-flight and in-flight requirements and learn how to escape a helicopter if needed. 

Does none of that scare you and are you ready to work hard and make good money? Then go along and apply to an offshore job!