Offshore service technician
Keep equipment and systems running efficiently and safely on an offshore platform to extract oil or gas.
About the job
Salary
Source: LMI for All
Weekly
£900
Average
Monthly
£3,900
Average
Yearly
£46,800
Average
9,500
people are currently employed
High growth
200 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would keep equipment and systems running efficiently and safely on an offshore platform to extract oil or gas.
There are different roles for offshore technicians.
As an Instrument and Control Maintenance technician, you would check and fix the measurement systems for oil and gas flow, level, pressure and temperature. You’d also work on electronic equipment and safety systems.
In Mechanical Maintenance you’d maintain machinery like valves, pumps, engines and turbines.
If you work in Electrical Maintenance you’d service the power generation and distribution systems the motors, control systems. You’d work with specialist electrical equipment designed for offshore scenarios.
Whatever area you work in you would:
check and test equipment and systems
find faults and make repairs
assess the safety of systems
replace faulty parts and equipment
write reports about the maintenance and repairs.
Another technician role is in Process Operations. You would control and monitor oil and gas production, both manually and using computer systems.
You’d check the site and the equipment. You’d operate the equipment to produce oil or gas, making sure that the process is safe and that your installation meets its production targets.
You’d need to be able to interpret technical drawings and follow health and safety rules.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- analysing
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- working with numbers
- working with technology
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Chemistry
Computing Science
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Mathematics
Physics
Practical Electronics
Skills for Work: Energy
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
Applications of Mathematics
Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You could to complete a Modern Apprenticeship leading to qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Measurement Processes (SVQ level 3). You can apply to the MA with National 5 qualifications.
You could study an engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in areas such as offshore, mechanical, electrical, or petroleum engineering.
You can also apply for this role if you have completed a recognised trade apprenticeship outwith the oil and gas industry.
To enter a Modern Apprenticeship through the Oil and Gas Academy, run by the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Programme (OPITO) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) you will need a minimum of four National 5 qualifications (SCQF level 5).
You can enter a Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a Mechanical and Offshore Engineering or Petroleum Engineering degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at B or above; some courses will require this in one sitting.
Qualifications that demonstrate skills like teamworking and problem-solving, as well as an understanding of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCFQ level 4).
To work offshore you must:
pass regular medical examinations
pass an offshore survival course
be aged 18 or over
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