Hello all,

long-time oil and gas professional (geologist) here. Well, as we all know the oil market isn't doing to well at the moment, and I'm basically waiting to be made redundant.

I'm currently looking at alternatives for the moment I'll receive my let go letter. Health and safety, risk identification and mitigation, but also creating guidelines for business critical and personal safety and health has been a substantial part of my work in the past, however I don't have any official qualifications. I do wonder whether it makes sense to sign up for a NEBOSH certificate course or if it's a waste of money.

Looking at positions offered, many seem to be within construction for which I will probably not be considered. Pretty much all positions do seem to require a NEBOSH or similar certificate, and I certainly have the money, and will most likely have the time for it. What is your opinion on this?

Yes, based in NE Scotland at the moment but could move anywhere.

I realize things won't be easy but I'm lacking the real ideas at the moment, and I've always been passionate about and involved a lot in HSE. So basically you think there is no chance at all? Or might there be a chance for starting positions (what would I be searching for?).

Well, the situation in O&G won't change quickly thus I do need to find alternatives that actually do make sense to pursue. And I don't mean working in a pub. The only other alternative for me seems to be to look at project management, but again I don't have any formal qualifications even though the projects I've managed had an awful lot of zeroes. And who wants a geo manage IT projects?

Hi Romana,

I had a fair bit of experience and self funded my NEBOSH General Cert but found it very difficult to get a foot in the door in a starting position as a QHSE Officer. The only reason I managed to get a starting position was through a friend who knew a QHSE manager who hated hiring O&G personnel and preferred to hire from outside the industry. This was back before the downturn.

Things seem to be healthier down south in HSE but that's just from the amount of jobs I see advertised. Whatever you end up doing, I hope it works out for you.

Romana

If you were mostly office based in previous jobs, a bit difficult , i knew a lot people even with psychology or literature qualifications came to oil and gas field as HSE so your initial qualification is not an issue.. but if you been mostly in fields lets say resident in oil and gas drilling rigs , off course you should be able to bring a lot of your skills and knowledge for any prospective client. Having NRBOSH on your belt is necessary at minimum , even that not lead you to proper job in short term

SHV

Hi Romana, Firstly good look with your searches! The NGC is intended as a Supervisory Management Qualification,, as such it opens doors that you may not expect initially. Its widely used as a starting point for those seeking a career in OHS combined with IOSH membership,, Your O&G Background could set you up quite nicely if you were to combine studies for the Tech Cert in O&G,, you have to throw the stone to make the pond ripple and none of us start off with twenty years experience under their belts,, an NGC and the right attitude can take you a long way; if you've got the motivation go for it.

Andy