Posted By Guderian DOn't wish to be harsh - so you have no h&s experience, have a basic General Cert - which is all well & good, we all had to start somewhere - but there are guys/girls on this forum who have years of experience and higher level safety quals and other relevant qualifications etc who can't get a start in the offshore industry - so do you reallyt think you are going to walk into a well paid off shore job...there is always a fluke chance of course, but do you really think your chances are 'high' of getting such a job You also have to do the relevant offshore training courses as well, before u stand much chance of a look in - thats my understanding, oh and I think you have to pay for them yourself at the first instance - not sure how much they cost, but a couple of grand?

Posted By Guderian I have 'no issues' at all - just pointing out the likely commercial situation and how your CV/experience etc might look to a potential recruiter.

Posted By A Campbell Morning Nik, You are most likely to find that most people in the offshore sector attain H&S positions following some time spent in that environment with a trade. Offshore industry has many factors, such as production platform has many differences to exploration drilling rig, then there is the engineering from barges, ships etc. Also the diving industry is specialized on it’s own merits. So to term the phrase ‘offshore’ can have many avenues as to what area you intend to specialize in? Tony

Posted By henry05 Guderian, It is people like you that put others off their dreams. I had someone like you along my path 2 years ago when I started off in health and safety and I am glad I NEVER listened to him otherwise I wouldn't be where I am now. That there are other people out there with so many years of experience in h&s who haven't been able to fulfill their dreams according to you has got nothing to do with that young man that only asked for directives on how to start off the journey that we all embarked on at some point in our life. Learn to encourage people because you never know where your path may cross with theirs. The world is a very small place.

Posted By nik thank you for the inspirational words. Luckily so far I have had far more posts, words and debates of encouragement than not. I will persist and I will prevail. Now I sound like a politician. ....and well said henry!

Posted By Gordon Pringle Hi Nik, Good luck and follow that dream. Don't forget you don't have to go off shore to be in the offshore industry. I worked in Asia with just my Nebosh Cert, building an oilrig/Gas processing Plant. I was a Safety Manager for a construction company. It's just the matter of being in the right place, and working hard. By the way Guderian, didn't you invade Poland or something? The war's been over for 60 years now, lighten up a bit.

Posted By Steve 1973 nik, PM me pal, i was in your position a couple of years ago. Since then I've been working offshore H&S all over the world. I had very little onshore H&S experience too. Ignore folk who try to put you off. A lot of H&S peole who want to get offshore can't get past the fact that it often has less to do with having diplomas and more to do with if your face fits and personality. Afterall offshore life is not for everyone and you have to be able to get along with all sorts of folks as you are living and working together 24/7. Beyond your GC do as many practical skills type courses as you can reasonably afford , ie offshore first aid, coxswain course, etc. i can give you information on a number of courses to make you more attractive to potential employers. Also I recommend taking some IT courses such as ECDL levels 1 & 2. So many guys offshore have poor IT skills, doing those courses could give you an advantage. Offshore companies are not really looking for folk with diplomas as welcome as they would be the return on such an investment would be negligible. Like the other guy siad keep knocking and you'll get a positive answer sooner or later. Good Luck.