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Oil and Gas Industry Technician

Do you want to become a Oil and Gas Industry Technician? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Technicians in the oil and gas extraction industry may be:

• Process operation technicians, who produce, process and deliver oil or gas by operating and monitoring production systems.
• Maintenance technicians, who carry out maintenance work to keep mechanical, electrical, instrument and control systems in good repair and working order.

Technicians work in closely-knit teams. Some become multi-skilled in two or more areas.

Technicians work either at an onshore terminal or offshore. The offshore working pattern is normally 12 hours on and 12 hours off for two weeks, followed by two or three weeks' leave ashore. Onshore technicians normally work 37 hours a week.

Offshore technicians share their living quarters with colleagues.

Salaries range from £12,000 for trainee technicians, to £50,000 for supervisors.

An oil and gas industry technician should:

• be willing to work away from home
• work well in a team, as well as individually
• be good with their hands and with tools
• be able to solve technical problems quickly and creatively
• want to live the lifestyle that the offshore oil and gas industry offers.

At the moment, there is high demand for young people to train as oil and gas industry technicians. Employers include:

• operating companies (usually major oil companies)
• drilling companies
• service companies - eg seismic exploration firms or diving companies.

Most people start through an Advanced Apprenticeship programme. Entrants usually need at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including English, maths and a suitable science or technology subject. It is also possible to take a full-time course and then apply for a job as a trainee technician.

Employers are less likely to provide workplace training for mature entrants than for younger ones.

Apprenticeship training involves attending a college or training centre for up to 18 months followed by about two years of on-the-job training at an oil and gas facility.

There are opportunities for progression to jobs such as team leader, supervisor, engineer and project manager.

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