Offshore Petroleum Industry
Modern Apprenticeship

The following text describes some of the programmes currently being delivered. Recruitment advertising for intakes in September begin in March of each year, and will be highlighted through various media including this website.

 

What qualifications do you need?	A minimum of 4 Scottish Standard Grades at Level 3, or 4 GCSE's at grade C or above in English, Maths and Physics/Chemistry/ Technological Studies, plus, if possible, subjects such as craft & design, and/or computer studies.
What do you get from the course?	* Level 2 S/NVQ in Engineering Manufacture * National Certificate (NC) * Higher National Certificate (HNC) - underpinning knowledge towards a Level 3 S/NVQ. * An accredited portfolio of technician skills acquired to support a level 3 S/NVQ.
How long is the initial training?	The programme is college based over a two-year period. This leads to a further two-year placement on an operational site.
How do you apply?	E-mail opito@opito.co.uk, See your careers teacher or go to your Careers or Employment Service office.
What happens after the course?	The course is in place to meet known Industry needs. Professional placement support will be available to all trainees to help them secure structured training placements with sponsoring employers - including a 2 year planned work-site experience and progression towards a Scottish or National Vocational Qualification at Level 3.
Who is involved?	The initiative is managed by OPITO, the National Training Organisation for the Oil and Gas Industry, on behalf of operator companies, including Shell UK Exploration & Production, Mobil North Sea, Marathon Oil, TOTAL Oil Marine and Amerada Hess.

The Training Programme

Introduction

This is a new initiative by employers covering the whole of the oil and gas industry. It gives young people the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications they need to work as technicians on oil and gas onshore and offshore installations. It offers an intensive 2 year full time college-based programme of practical training and further education with all fees paid by the industry This phase of training takes place entirely onshore. All trainees receive a grant regardless of parental income, and where appropriate, accommodation and reasonable travel costs are met.

During the first few months, all trainees will complete foundation training in engineering. They then move on to develop advanced skills and knowledge in a specialist discipline.

e.g. Process Operations, Instrument & Control Maintenance, Electrical Maintenance, or Mechanical Maintenance.

Also built in to the programme will be opportunities to participate in team based character?building activities (Outward Bound or equivalent).

What do technicians do?

Technicians form the core of the shift teams at production and processing facilities. They operate and maintain production systems with minimal supervision and with a high degree of competence.

They need to understand not just what is happening within a piece of equipment, but also how that equipment affects the working of the overall system ? and the effect it has on other related systems.

They need good diagnostic skills to be able to troubleshoot problems. They also need to plan work carefully, communicate effectively with their colleagues, and use information systems both as a source of data and to record what has happened.

Production operations involve the management of hydrocarbons (oil & gas) from the reservoir to the initial customer. This means producing, processing and delivering the correct quantity and quality of product, and ensuring that all the production systems are operating in the most efficient way. The total production system can be divided into four distinct subsystems: wells, process facilities, utilities (such as water supplies and power), and storage and sales metering.

Types of technicians

Process technicians start up, control, monitor, and shut down these subsystems to maintain safe operations and achieve production targets. Process technicians who are assessed as competent in all the subsystems on a platform may progress to work as control room technicians, controlling the overall production process via computerised distributed control systems.

Maintenance technicians keep all the equipment and systems in good repair and running order. They monitor and test the condition of equipment, diagnose faults, carry out maintenance routines, and where necessary dismantle and re?assemble engineering assets. Most specialise in one of three main engineering disciplines.

Mechanical technicians look after not just valves, pumps and transmission systems, but also prime movers such as diesel engines and gas turbines (similar to jet aeroplane engines).

Electrical technicians are not like domestic electricians; they look after high voltage power generation and distribution systems, motors, control systems and electrical equipment specially designed for use in hazardous areas.

Instrument and Control technicians calibrate and maintain measurement systems (for flow, level, pressure and temperature), electronic and pneumatic process control systems, and fire and gas detection systems and analysers.