For those seeking oil rig work either offshore or onshore, opportunities continue to grow, even with the economic slowdown. Half of the current workforce in the oil and gas industry is retiring in the next 10 years. This is creating a huge labor shortage for the energy companies and drilling contractors, and a huge opportunity for those seeking jobs offshore and onshore. There has never been a better time for either experienced or entry-level workers to find an oil rig job or offshore job.

This growing workforce shortage is creating a groundswell of opportunity for a variety of jobs offshore. Drilling and Catering crews are always in demand, but there is also an urgent need and openings for the following jobs: Crane Operators, Riggers, Welders and Underwater Welders (or welders who would like to train for underwater welding), Electricians, Scaffolders and Mechanics. Offshore employment (as well as onshore) is expected to accelerate in 2009 as the economy begins turning around.

Riggers

A rigger is defined as: “anyone who attaches or detaches lifting equipment to loads or lifting devices” on fixed offshore platforms. This is the next step up from the offshore Roustabout position. Offshore rigging jobs lead immediately into the Crane Operator position.

Crane Operator

The Crane Operator is responsible for all crane operations on board the rig. He is

foreman for the Roustabouts whom he supervises during loading and discharging

of supplies from the supply boats and during transfer of equipment on board the

rig. The Crane Operator must hold an Offshore Crane Operator Certificate and

have experience working as a Roustabout and Rigger.

Offshore Crane Operators and Rigger Training

• Offshore Crane Operator courses and Rigging Courses

http://www.astpl.com/training_courses.html

• Crane Operator’s Certificate Program – Canada, 26 weeks. Offers both offshore and land based mobile crane operation training and certification

http://www.cna.nl.ca/ProgramsCourses/program-details.asp?cProgCode=389

• UK and US Offshore Crane Operator training centre (Sparrows 1-3)
• OPITO approved Rigger courses with certificates.

http://www.sparrowsoffshore.com/Courses_Offered.html

Offshore Crane Operators and Rigger Wages

Note: Actual salaries depends on Crane Operator certificate level and years experience.

• North Sea Crane Operators 14 days on / 14 days off - US $ 5.000 per month.
• Nigeria Offshore Crane Operators – $400\day

Riggers and Crane Operators Offshore Job Finding Assistance

For those without offshore industry experience, your odds are going to dramatically increase if you utilize a professional service to assist in the job hunt. Many have had success when they chose to utilize the Resume \ CV submittal service from Rigworker or The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit. Both charge a nominal fee for their services, $40 – $60, but they are honest, legitimate companies, and their services have been tested multiple times, with a job offer (or several) being the standard result. While they make no guarantees of getting hired, they do guarantee your satisfaction with their services, and you will get far more for the small investment than anywhere else on the internet.

Offshore Technical, Electrical and Mechanical Jobs

Chief Electrician

The Chief Electrician ($85,500) is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the electrical equipment on the rig, even including tasks like changing light bulbs. Requirements of the job include on occasion working a 12-hour shift and being hoisted into the air at heights. Has a general salary of US $85,500. Ideal for someone with a background in mechanics and /or electrical.

Electrician

The Electrician ($74,000) is responsible for maintaining and inspecting all electrical systems and related equipment on board the rig. New installations and modifications of

existing ones are also carried out by the Electrician. He must be an Industrial

Electrician or a Certified Electrician.

Electronic Technician

The Electronic Technician ($65,000) is responsible for assisting the Electricain in maintaining and inspecting all electrical systems and related equipment on board the rig. He will also assist the Electrician with new installations and modifications of existing ones.

Scaffolding

Scaffolders ($60,000); are not usually tied to any one rig. They go to different installations depending on where their company has work.

Mechanic

The Mechanic ($72,000) has the responsibility to carry out the maintenance and inspections of the mechanical equipment and systems on board the rig. To obtain the position of a Mechanic, some years’ working experience as a Motorman is preferred.

Motorman \ Assistant Mechanic

The Motorman \ Assistant Mechanic ($57,500 – $65,000) assists the Mechanic in his daily work. To qualify for the position as a Motorman, the applicant must be a Certified Fitter or Mechanic or hold a corresponding education.

Materialsman (Storeman)

The Materialsman ($60,000) is responsible for maintaining the rig’s stock of spare parts at the specified level. He also ensures that all stock items are properly stored and

labeled and that all certificates are present. Responsible for the maintenance of the stores and stock ordering and receiving. Must be computer literate. One drawback of this comfortable job is that on smaller rigs with only one storeperson they sometimes have to get up at all hours to check the cargo coming off the boat.

Job Finding Assistance for Electrical, Mechanical, Scaffolding and Materialsman Jobs Offshore

For those without offshore industry experience, your odds are going to dramatically increase if you utilize a professional service to assist in the job hunt. Many have had success when they chose to utilize the Resume \ CV submittal service from Rigworker and

The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit . Both charge a nominal fee for their services, $40 – $60, but they are honest, legitimate companies, and their services have been tested multiple times, with a job offer (or several) being the standard result. While they make no guarantees of getting hired, they do guarantee your satisfaction with their services, and you will get far more for the small investment than anywhere else on the internet.

Offshore Welding \ Underwater Offshore Welder Jobs

Welder

The Welder ($62,000) is responsible for carrying out repairs and modifications in accordance with the Maintenance Supervisor’s instructions. His work also includes maintenance and service of all welding equipment. An education as Certified Welder is required for this position. There above water welders, and underwater welders. The above water welders fall into two categories. First are the rig welders. They are permanently on one rig and carry out all day to day repairs and building of new metalwork. They are always busy. Then there are the roving welders. When there is a big project often a squad of roving welders are hired to finish the job quickly. These guys move from rig to rig wherever their company has a contract.

Underwater Welder

Underwater welders earn considerably more; $80,000 is the low end, and day rates can approach $900-$1000. For a guide on how to start a career as an underwater welder, see http://www.aws.org/education/plunge.html . For advice on choosing a good underwater welding school, read the following article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4449877_find-underwater-welding-schools.html

There is a lot of underwater welding work available, and more coming on line in the very near future. In particular, there is going to be a lot of work in the North Sea. The North Sea is a mature oil field, and many rigs and other structures will be decommissioned starting now, and going on until 2015. Much of the work will be performed by underwater welders.

Required Skills and Qualifications

From the Commercial Diving Academy:

“The skills and qualifications suggested for entering the field of underwater welding are generally recognized as an experienced welder-diver with commercial diving skills. This means you should be familiar with the use of specialized commercial diving equipment, have an understanding of diving physiology, safety, rigging, the underwater environment and communication. You should also be proficient in weld setup and preparation skills such as those tasks typically assigned to a fitter or rigger, such as materials alignment and materials preparation including beveling, stripping of concrete, fitting a steel patch or repair plate. In addition, you will have to certify to a required underwater weld procedure.”

Underwater Welder-Diver Training and Certification

Listed here are a few of the better diving and underwater welding training centers. It is to great advantage for experienced divers to acquire additional training as underwater welders and welding inspectors.

• US diver welding training school in Houston with courses for commercial divers, underwater welding and burning.

http://www.oceancorp.com/udtinfo.shtml

• Training for NDT welding inspectors ( level 2 ).

http://www.oceancorp.com/ndtinfo.shtml

• Underwater welding school ( US ) with option for International welding certification and non-destructive testing levels I & II from UK.

http://commercialdivingacademy.com/sub/resources.htm

• Air / Mixed Gas Commercial Diver course ( US – Jacksonville, FL ), 16 weeks (720 hrs), total cost USD 17.400 (about USD 24/hr). Including NDT underwater levels I & II

https://elyksecurity.com/commercialdivingacademycom/sub/apply.asp

• List of commercial diver training schools

http://www.divercertification.com/training/

• Onshore /Offshore API, AWS, and NDT training schedule for year 2009 (requires Adobe Acrobat)

http://www.cutechgroup.com/Brochures/Training Schedule.pdf

• Worldwide list of Welding Inspection and NDT courses ( UK ) – certification ( CSWIP ) http://www.twitraining.com/world/courses/index.jsp?coursecode=WTC19

• UK diving school with underwater cutting and welding courses, AWS or BS certification. http://www.interdive.co.uk/diving-courses.asp

• UK national commercial diving school with courses for commercial air and mixed gas divers, ROV pilots / technicians, and Assistant Life Support Technicians. CSWIP 3.1U Non Destructive Testing course for divers with a minimum qualification of HSE Surface Supplied or equivalent, 2 weeks.

http://www.theunderwatercentre.co.uk/courses.asp

• Offshore wet welding diving courses at The Underwater Centre, Freemantle – Australia. ADAS [ ADAS Part 1, 2, and 3 ] certification up to Dive Supervisor. The training centre can assist in finding employment after successful training.

http://www.tucf.com.au/divingcareers.html

Wages for Offshore Underwater Welding

Note: Actual salaries depends on project location and years of experience. Underwater welders are typically paid by the project. Salary depends on the skill set needed for each specific project. Once you have a portfolio of completed projects the amount you can charge increases dramatically

• Underwater welder – Gulf of Mexico, US $80,000 \ year.
• CSWIP 3.2 Inspection Divers – Gulf of Thailand, USD 450 per day.
• Underwater welder-diver – Offshore Australia, USD 870 per day.

Welders and Underwater Welders Offshore Job Finding Assistance

For those without offshore industry experience, your odds are going to dramatically increase if you utilize a professional service to assist in the job hunt. Many have had success when they chose to utilize the Resume \ CV submittal service from Rigworker or The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit . Both charge a nominal fee for their services, $40 – $60, but they are honest, legitimate companies, and their services have been tested multiple times, with a job offer (or several) being the standard result. While they make no guarantees of getting hired, they do guarantee your satisfaction with their services, and you will get far more for the small investment than anywhere else on the internet.