For Entry Level Offshore Jobs, there are opportunities for drilling employment and travel to countries such as: Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, the United States, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Norway, China, Canada and the United Kingdom.

WAGES
Typically salaries for roustabouts and roughnecks (drill deck workers) are approximately US $300 - $500 per day. Annual salaries work out to be approximately US $60,000.00 to $80.000.00 plus (for 6 months work a year; if you want to work more and make more, you can do that too).  Entry level positions typically make between US $50,000 - US $80,000 per annum. Trades, technical and professional positions will likely earn between US $70,000 - US $220,000 per year.  You can rise the ladder fast in this business, and it isn’t uncommon to start at 50-60k and be making 80-90k in two years, and over 100k in five. 

THE OIL JOBS GUIDE - 2009 EDITION as well as RIGWORKER both provide the kind of insider knowledge, experience and contacts needed for those without experience to be able to break into the Offshore Oil business.  However, competition is definitely heating up with 6 million people having lost their jobs over the past year.  Getting the edge these guides and service provides has helped many to beat that competition. 

If you are serious about gaining work in this field, utilizing one of these inexpensive services will give you a competitive advantage. Both of these services come highly recommended by those that have used them (and gotten jobs).  They well deserve the good reputation they have in the industry.

Offshore Roustabout and Roughneck Jobs

Roustabouts

The Roustabout job is the most common entry level occupation for an oil rig’s marine section. Most new hires in the Drilling and Marine Sections start out as Roustabouts. A Roustabout is typically an inexperienced worker who works as a trainee or helper for those in more senior positions. This position is comparable to the Able-bodied Seaman on board a ship. The Roustabout will assist with a variety of work, typically unskilled , which might include maintenance, cleaning rust removal, painting, or learning to direct the huge cranes on board.

After working in an offshore Roustabout position, people typically take one of two paths – to the drill floor, as a Roughneck, or to the Cranes, as an Crane Operator Trainee. He will start in either capacity by serving as relief during meal and coffee breaks, and then be given progressively greater responsibility.

Roughnecks

A Roughneck ( Floorhand ) is the entry level position on an offshore rig’s Drilling section. This is the guy who handles the drilling pipes, connecting them as they drill deeper with huge hydraulic clamps. This is the physically most demanding job of the entire drill crew – one can work hard labor 12 hours straight during a drill operation. Offshore, it is easiest to get a job as a Roustabout first, and many experienced roughnecks will take Roustabout jobs offshore just to prove themselves, and learn the ropes offshore – things are a bit different out in the middle of the ocean.

Wages

Wages for entry-level Roustabouts and Roughnecks run from 50 to 60k

Getting a Roustabout Job Offshore

If you don’t have previous offshore experience, your chances are improved if you have any kind of technical work background. This can include experience as a welder, fitter, engineer, electrician, technician or mechanic. If it is possible, the best way to land an offshore Roustabout job is to apply in person – there are many unadvertised Entry-level jobs offshore. Obviously, the person whose face is in the office asking for work every week or two is going to stand out above all the other applicants.

If visiting the employment offices of offshore drilling contractors isn’t possible for you, then the next best thing is to ensure that your Resume, C\V and Cover Letter are specific to the offshore industry, and to the job you are applying for. We recommend the services of Rigworker and Oil Jobs Guide if you wish to facilitate the process and improve the odds. Thousands have had success when they chose to utilize the Resume \ CV submittal service from Rigworker or Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition. 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.

To be avoided are programs that charge hundreds of dollars for the same thing.

Offshore \ Oil Rig Roustabout \ Roughneck Training Programs - Greenhand Courses

There are several training programs available designed to prepare applicants without offshore or oil industry experience for a Roustabout position. Offshore, the Roustabout position is the most common entry level job in the oil rig’s marine section. Working as a Roustabout requires one to be physically fit and capable of performing strenuous manual labor, in all weather conditions. Those without experience are termed greenhands. The term originates from the custom on some rigs to make inexperienced employees wear a green hat so that they may be distinguished to the other employees as being new, so allowances can be made for the greenhand not being aware of all the regulations and requirements specific to offshore work.

Maritime Drilling Schools Unlimited

Floorman ( Roughneck ) training. This school offers a 20 day program taught in Nova Scotia, Canada. The 20 day course of instruction in Pre Employment Floorman (Roughneck) Training will consist of drilling programs, hands-on rig training, and industry safety programs. Life skills and job readiness will also be included during the program. This program is available for Americans. The Floorman course costs $ 3.750.00 Canadian, plus $250.00 for books and a $200.00 registration fee. Accommodations, if required, are $600.00.

Métis Nation BC (MNBC)

Pre-Employment Floorman (Roughneck) training. Probably the best program available – you will find work after completing this program. This Pre-Employment Floorman (Roughneck) Training Program will provide students with a comprehensive training program that is tailored specifically for the drilling industry. Students will learn how to safely operate and maintain drilling equipment and the job functions that are relevant to drill floor and deck crew operations. Students will also learn the skills of a Roustabout and Lease hand with a high emphasis on Oilrig safety. Training is located in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. All-inclusive cost for the course is Canadian $ 8,650 including meals and accommodation for 24 days.

Atlantic Petroleum Training College

Floorhand / Roughneck training. Training is hands-on and takes place on a working onshore drilling oil rig in Nova Scotia. They offer a certificate program in oilfield training. This program provides an opportunity for unskilled individuals to take advantage of quality hands-on training to begin a successful career in the oil and gas industry. This program provides the knowledge and skills to work safely and productively as part of an oilrig team. In addition to the core program, mandatory H2S Alive and 2-day Standard First Aid with Level A are given. Potential earnings for an individual starting in this dynamic industry can exceed $60,000 per year.

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 - $400day

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 Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition . 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 or Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition . 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 Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition . 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.

Rigworker was founded in 1998 by a group of offshore workers and former offshore workers who saw an opportunity in the lack of  information about the offshore oil industry.  Utilizing their industry contacts and knowledge of the industry, they started a business which has stood the test of time while many imitators (and there are still many) have come and gone.  They will help you tweak your properly formatted resume to be relevant for Offshore Oil Jobs, and then send it to their industry hiring contacts.  Basically, you can hire these guys to be your inside source to the offshore oil industry. 

 OIL JOBS GUIDE - 2009 EDITION  is another outfit founded by guys with personal experience in the industry.  They have created a win-win business model leveraging their contacts made over the years to help others looking for information on offshore oil drilling jobs.  They also provide hiring decision-makers, job listings and resume submission for onshore as well as offshore oil jobs.  Onshore projects include the Alberta Tar Sands or the North Slope in Alaska.     

These two services have a huge range of Oil and Gas industry contacts, and using both provides the best chance of getting hired, especially for entry level oil rig Jobs. 

One thing people often overlook is the importance of having a good resume. Consider it your first chance to make a good impression. There is a variety of software out their that can help you write a good resume on your own, but if you would like the professional-looking edge that comes with having a professional create your resume, you can’t go wrong with Employment911; their rates are reasonable and their work, superb. Basic posting is free. 

Finally, don’t limit yourself to just companies like Rigworker and the Oil Job Guide. Oil and Gas Industry recruiters do search the big and medium size online directories, so once your resume is ready, get it before as many eyeballs as you can.  You can save yourself time and money by using company like Resume Rabbitto handle this step. They will put your resume in front of 1.5 Million employers, including those in the Oil industry. Though they don’t specialize in any one sector as does Rigworker and the Oil Job Guide, taking this final step will really help you cover all your bases.  In this economy, getting the interview simply becomes a numbers game, once you have your other ducks in a row.

To summarize, if you want to get an Offshore Oil Rig Job fast, consider hiring these guys to work for you. It’ll make your life easier, and vastly increase the odds of landing that oil rig job as well.

1. Have your Resume professionally created. You will stand out from the crowd, and make a good statement and impression to your prospective employer that you care about the details. The writers at Employment911  have one of the industries’ better reputations.

2. Let the industry insiders at  OIL JOBS GUIDE - 2009 EDITION go to work for you. This is a great resource for those just starting out in the field as well as experienced people, and is well worth the money.

3. Double your “insider” contacts by joining RIGWORKER. Basic membership is free. If you are hesitant, just subscribe to their free newsletter to learn more about working offshore. This company has helped many people break into the industry, and have earned the good reputation they enjoy in the industry.

4. Finally, cover your bases and increase your odds by “shotgunning” your Resume to 1.5 Million employers using Resume Rabbit; this will ensure that any Drilling and Servicing contractors that don’t get covered by Rigworker and Oil Jobs Guide will see your resume as well. 

Following the plan outlined above will cost much less than a day’s wages working offshore, and shave weeks off your hiring time, so it is a good investment, and money well spent. Offshore work is truly the adventure of a lifetime - the friends, the camaraderie, the new and exciting places, and the money to enjoy it all,  make offshore employment an incredible opportunity. Those of us who have been lucky enough to work offshore wouldn’t trade the experience for the world - it’s a blast.

Offshore Oil Rig

Offshore Employment Services

One of the difficulties in finding offshore jobs is trying to determine what the legitimate job sites are, and which ones are just scams. From personal experience with a site that charges up to $400.00 for their services, and don’t even respond to email after joining, I can attest that there are indeed some scams out there.

We have looked at and used many oil job sites and guides, and while there are some that are decent, we feel that the best value and service is proved by Rigworker and Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition. After using both, we are confident in offering them our support and recommendation, and feel that both are excellent aids for those looking for both offshore jobs and onshore oil jobs.

Rigworker is the best choice for those seeking offshore jobs. They will create a custom resume cv for you, and host it as a web page - and these services are free. Additionally, they maintain a huge database of active job listings which you can search at any time; this service is free as well. You only pay when you find a job that interests you, or when you are satisfied with your resume cv and are ready for them to forward it to the 1200+ oil and offshore companies they work with. What is nice about Rigworker is that you can “try before you buy”, as most of their services are free of charge. Rigworker is probably the single best choice for entry level workers.

For those with more experience, or those who would rather create and forward their resume themselves, Oil Jobs Guide is a better choice. They provide all the resources needed - oil company hiring contacts, recruiter contacts, job listing resources, and web sites you can post your resume on. They also provide a great deal of current information on the industry, the types of jobs available and how much they pay, and do cover offshore employment as well.

Both Rigworker and the Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition are great resources and provide a lot of value, and have helped thousands of people land jobs. If you are serious about getting an offshore job, Rigworker will definitely help. If you are more interested in land based jobs, then Oil Jobs Guide is probably your best bet. Both are completely guaranteed.

Rigworker Review

Rigworker begins by creating a resume that meets all the criteria oil industry hiring managers are looking for. As part of their FREE membership services, they allow you to use their online resume creation program. Rigworker’s resume creation software was designed specifically to meet the requests and feedbacks of hiring managers, so a Rigworker resume has the precise features offshore and oil companies are looking for - a huge advantage, given that resumes that don’t have the features offshore and oil companies are looking for will most likely be ignored.

Rigworker is the only Oil Jobs website that creates a resume for you at no charge, a fantastic value. Additionally, they will create for you your own Professional Resume Web Page, and host your resume web page for free. You can put the link for your resume web page on your cards, your hard copy resumes, your emails - anything you can think of.

Rigworker’s services save even more time for the oil and gas job hunter, as you won’t even need to make any personal contacts, list your resume at oil industry job sites, or contact recruiters – Rigworker does all of this for you.

Rigworker is an highly ethical and well respected company, and literally thousands have benefited from their services. The company is composed of former offshore oil rig workers, and they know the offshore oil industry backwards and forwards. They provide one of the most comprehensive resources for getting an offshore oil job (or any oil job) available.

Rigworker utilizes their industry contacts and knowledge of the industry to help others find employment in the industry, and provides services that could easily top several hundred dollars if purchased separately.

Benefits of Using Rigworker

· Browse unlimited job listings for free.

· Rigworker, for free, will create your resume to meet oil and offshore industry specific standards.

· Rigworker, for free, will create an Professional Online Resume Web page for you to host your resume on.

· Free newsletter that provides up-to-date information about the Oil and Gas Industry.

· As part of the premium membership, they will forward your resume to over 1200 companies, and send you email direct from the companies that are interested.

· They will send your reviewed CV or Resume to well over 1200 companies.

There is no easier way to find an offshore job than with Rigworker, and their service is worth much more than what they charge.

Entry Level Assistance

For those without industry experience, they will help you connect with companies that hire new starts. They have helped thousands of new comers break into the industry, and obtain a job quickly.

Price

$69.95 for the full service; free for the basic membership.

Guarantee

Rigworker comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the official Rigworker web site.

Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition Review

The Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition provides all the information needed to decide what part of the Oil industry you would like to work in, what job you would like to have, how much the various jobs pay, who to send your resume to directly in a variety of oil and gas companies, where to browse for job postings, and the direct contact information of recruiters.

The guide includes all the major areas of employment in the Oil and Gas industry - Administration, Design, Drilling and Engineering. Individual job descriptions and wages are included. It covers entry level jobs, such as Roustabout or Roughneck, and then covers the career path upwards, towards Derrickman, Motorman, Assistant Driller, Driller, Toolpusher, and Company Man.

Also covered are supporting jobs, such as Camp Boss, Cook or Chef, Assistant Cook, Baker, Galley hand, Steward Stewardess, Medic, Electrician, Engineer, Scaffolders, Painters, Radioman, Supply Room Storeroom and far to many others to list here.

Additionally, it covers specialty areas of the oil industry. Offshore jobs and how to get one are reviewed, as are Alberta Tar Sands employment, onshore drilling oil rig jobs, and servicing jobs as well as many others.

Benefits of the Oil Jobs Guide – 2009 Edition

• Save time on finding a job; the sooner you get hired, the sooner you get paid
• Everything you need is in one place. No more searching through 100s of sites.
• Provides the Oil Company HR Department contact details to send your resume to
• Provides a list of the best websites to post your resume to
• Where to find the latest of thousands of job listings
• Contact info for the best recruiters in the industry

Price

$39.00

Guarantee

The Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the official Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition web site.

The requirements needed to gain employment in the Offshore Oil Industry have more to do with your willingness and ability to work hard, be a team player, and learn new skills quickly, rather than experience, training, or education.  Oil Rigs, both Onshore and Offshore, will always be willing to hire the right person.  The available job openings aren’t limited to just drilling jobs, either - there is a strong need for cooks, painters, crane operators, platers, and electrical and mechanical technicians and engineers, medics, and supply managers, just to name a few. This article will discuss the requirements for getting hired in an entry level offshore job, as well as the major work locations and expected salaries wages for entry level offshore personel.  For the most part, much of the information applies to onshore work as well.    

Entry Level Offshore Requirements

The first and foremost requirement for working offshore is that you be in sound physical condition. You will be required to pass a thorough physical examination, including a spinal X- ray, before you can be employed. Answer all questions truthfully. You will also be given a drug screening.

In most cases, you must be at least 18 to work offshore for a drilling contractor. You need only be 16 to sit for Coast Guard endorsements. The average age for offshore workers is 27.

The better your experience in your particular field or profession, the closer prospective employers will look you at. If you do not currently have any skill or experience that relates to the offshore industry, it does not mean you will not be hired. There are many entry level positions available which require no previous offshore experience, these can be quickly learned. The most important thing is honesty.

The majority of entry level rig jobs do not require a formal education as the employer is more interested in your ability to do your job well and learn quickly than in how many years you went to school. Some jobs, such as a ballast controlman, mud engineer, etc., require at least a high school education. Other positions, as they get more complex, will naturally require higher levels of education.

One of the foremost concerns of offshore employers is dependability. Regardless of how good a hand is, he isn’t much good if he isn’t there! One of the quickest ways to lose your job is not to show up for crew change. When you hire on with a company, you become part of a team, and it is difficult to operate when any member of the team is not present.

Your interest and ambition will play a very important part in your getting and keeping a job, whether it be offshore or anywhere else.

Entry Level Salary Expectations

For someone with no experience in oil industry work, starting salaries today are ranging from $50,000 to $60,000.  When you consider this pay level is for working only 6 months out of the year, the appeal of oil field or offshore work becomes very understandable. Entry-level positions start at $800 to $1,000 per week. Stewards and Galleyhands (the guys who clean the living quarters, dining hall, wash dishes, stock inventory and do general kitchen help) earn $700-800 per week.  General labor, or Roustabouts make from $900 to $1100 per week. Some of the other jobs available for entry level personel include deckhands, oilers, welder helpers, cleaner painters and more. 

Locations and Current Job Openings

There are many job openings, in particular in Canada and Nigeria, as well as Dubai UAE (United Arab Emerites).  In Canada, several new offshore platforms are being put into place off the coast of Nova Scotia, and they are now hiring for all postions, no offshore experience required.  Also in Canada, the Alberta tar sands projects generate a huge, constant hiring demand; if you are willing to get a work visa, you can get a job just by driving out there).  The Nigeria offshore projects are always hiring, and the pay is extremely high, among the highest in the world. 

Some of the other locations currently hiring include Texas (Houston being the main hiring center), Louisiana, the North sea United Kingdom, Louisiana (offshore and onshore), the Gulf of Mexico (offshore), Norway, Alaska (both offshore and on the North Slope), Florida, Kuwait, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (always hiring), and the favorite of many, Australia (offshore).  Australia is a particularly great work location of many, as the pay is among the highest in the world, yet the cost of living is relatively low in Australia.  Guys that get on Australia rigs typically don’t come home for a very, very long time.  

If you would like to get hired in a hurry, the best way to go about it is to utilize the services of an offshore job finding service such as Rigworker.  Rigworker is a great resource, in particular for those just starting out, as they will both create and send your resume to the companies that are hiring.  They do work directly with many companies and recruiters that hire beginners for offshore work, and most of their services are free, so people can try them out and see if their services will work for them.

For those seeking oil rig work either offshore or on land, 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 on land. 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 catering personnel who would like to find an offshore catering job. Offshore catering employment in 2009 - 2010 is expected to accelerate as the economy begins turning around. While all job categories are experiencing vacancies and shortages, the opportunities are particularly good for offshore cooking jobs and other catering personnel.

There are many openings for a variety of offshore oil field catering positions, including Chefs, cooks, assistant cooks, night bakers, galley hands, stewards and stewardesses, housekeeping and cleaning staff. Offshore catering is typically contracted out and managed by catering and food service companies. The catering contractor is responsible for all food service, to include meals, snacks, and special Holiday requirements. Additionally, the offshore catering service manages the cleaning and upkeep of the kitchen and chow hall, as well as the recreational \ common areas and sleeping quarters. The following jobs are in high demand and available now.

Offshore Catering Jobs, Duties and Wages

Camp Boss

The Camp Boss is responsible for running the catering department. He oversees the chefs, cooks, night bakers, stewards, and housekeepers. The rig crew work long, hard hours, and an important part of running the operation is ensuring they have adequate energy and good morale. Ensuring that the kitchen puts out great tasting and nutritious food is what the Camp Boss does every day. He is assisted in this responsibility with a small crew of Chefs, Cooks, Night Bakers, Galley Hands and Stewards \ Stewardesses. Four to Six main courses are prepared and served every 24 hours, split into 12 hour shifts, so that both shifts get good meals. The Camp Boss also manages the Stewards and Stewardesses, ensuring that the rig’s recreation areas, downtime areas and, living quarters are kept clean, and the laundry completed.

Chef \ Head Cook

For the Chef or Lead Cook position, while previous offshore experience isn’t a requirement, previous cooking experience is. The quality of offshore food preparation is often comparable to the fare one would receive in the nicer Hotels and Restaurants; the food is good, nutritious, and there is lots of it. The Chef plays an important role in keeping morale high among the drilling crews; looking forward to a good meal goes a long way in maintaining job satisfaction. Therefore, for the Chef position, the catering contractor will wish to look at resumes of those with fine dining and Chef or Sous Chef experience; experience managing a kitchen is a must. This is not an entry-level cooking position, one is expected to have a proven record of preparing quality food. However, those with less experience will be considered for the Galley Hand or Assistant Cook or Sous Chef position. Salaries run from the mid 60s - 70s, depending on the rig, the catering service company one is working for, and experience

Night Baker

This is a very important position on the rig. All bread onboard is baked by the night baker, as well as pastries, muffins and desserts. On smaller rigs, this may be rolled up with the Assistant Cook \ Sous Chef as one job; on larger rigs, the positions will be two separate jobs. Offshore Night Baker wages will run from the 50s to 60s.

Assistant Cook

Most people with experience seeking an offshore cooking job will start here. The Assistant Cook will work the night shift. This is a great position in which to obtain one’s first offshore job. The Assistant Cook will prepare meals according to the recipes and directions of the Chef or Lead Cook. If you do a good job, and prove capable of running the kitchen in the Chef’s absence, you can move into a Lead Cook or Chef’s position fairly quickly. Offshore Assistant Cook wages \ salary will range from the mid 50s to mid 60s.

Galley Hand

If you have worked as a dishwasher or busboy in a Hotel or Restaurant for any decent amount of time, you can qualify of an Offshore Galley Hand job. This is a great way to get a foot in the door for those wishing to progress up to Chef or Head Cook - as on the mainland, many Offshore Chefs have gotten their start in the industry by starting at the bottom and working their way up. Offshore Galley Hand wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Cleaning \ Housekeeping Staff

Generally speaking, anyone with mainland experience in a janitorial or housekeeping position, especially in industrial facilities or hotels, can qualify for an offshore job in the same capacity. It is not uncommon for people wanting to break into the industry to accept a cleaning or housekeeping job, get to know people, and then, when the opportunity arises, advancing into a position of greater responsibility. This could be a supply room job, a roustabout job, or moving up the ladder to become a maintenance supervisor. It is quite common for people to start in this sort of position and then make a career in the offshore oil industry, moving in whatever direction they choose. A great way to get the proverbial foot in the door. Offshore Janitorial and Cleaning \ Housekeeping wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Steward

The Steward \ Stewardess position is essentially a combination of Galley Hand and Janitorial \ Housekeeping responsibilities. On small rigs, these jobs may be rolled into one, and that would be the role of Steward. Offshore Steward \ Stewardess wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Getting Hired for Offshore Catering Jobs and Offshore Cooking Jobs

For those with or without industry experience, it has been proven that the fastest way to get hired is to utilize the Resume \ CB submittal service from span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Rigworker or Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition. Both do 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.

Rigworker and Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition are trusted, well known companies, and the firms they send your Resume \ CV too are well aware of this. Replies from the hiring companies will be sent directly to you. This is quite cost effective, as your Resume \ CV will first be reviewed to ensure it meets industry-specific standards ( a $60.00 value in itself, as this is the standard price from Resume companies simply to review your resume). They will then submit your Resume \ CV to well over 1000 companies - another $60.00 value in itself.

Going where no offshore platform has gone before
Some of the areas now opening up to exploration include the Artic Shelves, north of Russia. The Canadian Artic is being opened up as well. Additionally, scientists on offshore oil exploration platforms are working on solutions to drill deeper than ever before in traditional locations. It is believe that massive oil reserves may exist offshore at depths in the crust up to 6 kilometers deep, presenting new challenges for the drilling crew on offshore platforms.

The challenges that offshore workers will face in these new environments are being met with new training programs the oil companies and offshore drilling contractors are putting into place. Once hired, both technical and labor-orientated employees are given up to 12 weeks of additional training to learn how to operate in extreme conditions, both location wise and drilling depth wise.

Pushing The Offshore Extreme
“It’s exciting stuff”, said one offshore professional. “You need to know how to deal with these heat and pressure extremes, and it makes for some pretty crazy times punching down that deep.” Those with experience as core specialists, as well as the traditional drilling crew, will be in high-demand worldwide.

Other positions that be required to deal with the challenges and stress of drilling at greater depths include safety professionals, mechanics, structural engineers, and electrical workers, technicians as well as engineers. Welders will also be in high demand.

Drilling Crews Needed
For all the engineers hired, drilling crews will be manned to implement the new techniques and technologies developed by the engineers. Industry professionals project huge hiring increases, as the new wave of exploration ramps up into the greatest push to find more offshore oil than we have ever experienced.

Getting Started
For more information on getting started in an offshore career path, Rigworker provides excellent offshore jobs finding and placement services, for all disciplines and job categories.

The primary focus offshore is safety. Accordingly, the first thing one does after arrival on an offshore rig is attend a safety orientation. At the safety orientation, every new crew member will become familiar with all of the locations for safety equipment, the ships alarms, and safety procedures.

Immediately following the safety orientation you will be given a room, personal protective gear as specified by the particular outfit you are on. You will then be introduced to your boss.

When living on the offshore rig, there will be daily laundry service. Food and meals are available at 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am. Every meal will include the choice of several hot and cold entree choices. Living quarters on almost all installations are clean and comfortable.

Satellite TV and DVDs\Movies are available in almost all of the rooms. Your room will be cleaned and bed made by professional stewards under the employ of the contracted catering company staff. Excercise facilities, including areobics, weights, treadmill, cycles and other equipment are available. Communications from offshore have drastically improved over the past several years. Internet access and e-mail are available. Telephones are also available for daily calls home, if required.

A typical work day offshore will find you working a 12 hour shift. Each shift will begin with a safety briefing to go over the day’s activities. During your shift you will be given time for lunch and two 15 minute coffee or tea breaks. Smoking is allowed on the rig, but it is restricted to designated areas only.

In terms of personal belongings, all you need to bring are personal hygiene items, such as razors, deodorant, soap and toothbrush\toothpaste. Typically, everything that you need above and beyond working offshore will be provided by the company.

For more in-depth information on living and working offshore, please see Rigworker or Oil Jobs Guide - 2009 Edition .

HOUSTON (Dow Jones Newswires), Mar. 23, 2009

by Isabel Ordonez      Dow Jones Newswires      Monday, March 23, 2009 

Major oil companies are looking for the solution to the work force crunch in their employees’ electronic trail.

ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp. and BP PLC are encouraging employees to use handheld computers, interactive Web pages, blogs, social networks and other media to store information on how they make crucial decisions or resolve problems at the office and in the field.

This new generation of options allows companies to partially solve one of their biggest challenges: the retirement of half of their workforce over the next 10 years. The shift allows employees to more efficiently communicate on a large scale, as well as archive knowledge and reduce training costs, the companies said.

The U.S. energy industry’s fortunes are increasingly tied to companies’ abilities to bridge the gap between new employees and graying generations retiring at a fast pace.

These companies laid off millions when oil prices plunged in the 1980s, scaring a whole generation away from the oil patch only to find themselves with a reduced, aging workforce in the midst on a new oil boom.

Neither the recent drop in oil prices, which have fallen from all-time highs above $147 to about $50 a barrel recently, nor the economic downturn’s havoc on retirement plans, are significantly affecting the decision by veterans to leave the industry, according to a recent survey by consultancy Accenture.

Thus, oil companies, and large producers - which despite the current crisis will need a slew of new workers in the long-term -are resorting to initiatives ranging from energy-focused high schools to lure young talent to using new technology to hold off the demographic time bomb.  

This is why there has never been a better time in history to enter the oil and gas industry.  For those considering employment in this arena, either offshore or in the oil patch, the industry insiders at RIGWORKER provide a comprehensive resource for getting hired.