gas and mining
Submitted by Paul G on Mon, 2011-05-30 18:05
Just a quick question for you guys in the mining and gas .Jesse is 15 and in year ten. he is getting A's on over half his subjects. maths is his best subject. he is looking for a future in the mining and gas industry, oil rigs chasing the $$$$$ and the lifestyle the north has to offer. What subjects and courses would best benefit him for this path. He will do year 11-12 and then do tafe or uni for a few years, hoping to get up north when he is 19-20. Can anyone suggest which direction he needs to go. Talked to his teachers and they weren't much help. Thanks
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JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
If he is good at maths, do
If he is good at maths, do mechanical engineering, quite broad and can get you into oil and gas or minerals. A lot of other options more specific. Not the easiest uni course though. Not my profession, but probably the best paying job around at present which is not too hard. Most graduates these days wanna stay in the city sipping lattes, so if he is prepared to head bush, he will do well. Plenty of non uni options, better pay initially but less in long run. Do highest maths (used to be maths 2/3 in my day), physics and chemistry in year 11/12. If he can handle that, uni will be a breeze but if not, go a trade. At least he has left his options open. Better to be the smartest tradie than an average post grad uni.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Electrica-Instrumentation.rea
Electrica-Instrumentation.
reason; License requirment = hardest of the trades to get the Qualifications
Demand for Electricians/Instro techs off shore is and will be at an all time high.
Plus we earn much more than engineers/paperpushers hehe!
WADRay
Posts: 301
Date Joined: 20/12/09
This is another way to get
This is another way to get through and if your any good you could be dragged into a ROV team and be on even more....
As for earning more then the paper pushers I know I didnt tell the deck crews what I was really on :) And I rarely did as much work as the N-Riggers out the back :)
WADRay
Posts: 301
Date Joined: 20/12/09
I am a mechanical engineer
I am a mechanical engineer and wish i had done petroleum-chemical engineering but it looked too specific.
If he is really interested (I wasnt) then he will need to do intro calc an g&t in year 11, also physics and chemistry and of course english or lit....If he isnt interested then he could do what I did, leave and move into labour and come back to school and do a external mature age course.
If he is good and willing to work offshore (and lands a job) then when away he could be earning (at todays rates) as much as 1700 a day on the NW shelf. If he can handle a bit of labour I would send him to get a Riggers Ticket and get some experience first....worked well for me.
If you would like some more info feel free to PM me.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
What does a machanical
What does a machanical engineer do
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WADRay
Posts: 301
Date Joined: 20/12/09
Im not sure I understand what
Im not sure I understand what you mean here.
As for the degree, your trained to design analyse develop and maintain mechanical systems (pretty much everything with moving parts - Structral Engineers aka propellor heads do items without moving parts).
As for at work your all project engineers with your field but once you get on the job your mainly there to make sure things go the way you planned in the office. You check the guys on the back deck to ensure things are correct, note down serial numbers of items used and ensure that all the paperwork is correct for the as-builts for the job. You also ensure that all ordering is correct and that everything is where you need it when you need it.
IE you spend a lot of time holding the kids on the back decks hands to ensure that they do thing right, though I am sure they will tell you it is the other way :)
As for why I would have gone to petro - Fluid movement has always interested me more then most things, and petro chem engineers seem to have an easier route to the project managment side (where most engineers aspire to go).
One thing that was noted is that offshore is all about attitude, has to be can do and really CANT be smart arse, nor a fighter. you live in tight nit groups, you need to make friends and do your job. Not many girlies offshore either and relationships out there normally go south.
Hope thats some help
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Yes thankyou
Yes thankyou
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glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Off shore uses rope access
Off shore uses rope access (need tickets plus the hours) a lot besides rigging.
Landing a job off shore is not that hard but I am not going to divulge this here how to be in with a very good chance.
Plus You have to have the right attitude and no smart ass attitude.
This will get you a free chopper ride back out
WADRay
Posts: 301
Date Joined: 20/12/09
You talking construction or
You talking construction or Maintenance?
In 10 years in the game I was on maybe 3 construction jobs with more then 4 rope access guys, but all had atleast 12 riggers. Not there for commisioning let alone first oil but still all the money is in construction.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
For a trade, agree,
For a trade, agree, elecrical/instrumentation great option. What we pay these guys on minerals construction jobs is pretty damm good!
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Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Thanks guys this is great .
Thanks guys this is great. I think he was going for his rigging and skippers ticket but I know the master class five he needs to be 19. i would think rigging would be 18. just wants to get on the right path and not waste year 11-12.
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dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Im going to go with
Im going to go with Electrician/Instro as well. Thats the path I'm going down at the moment, just took me a while to find it.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Michael Yoni
Posts: 601
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Just remember any UNI degree
Just remember any UNI degree also comes with the HECs and thats big $$$$$ after qualifying. Will you pay that for him when he graduates?
Any bit of paper will be worth it. Give him all the support he can get. Good on him for getting good marks etc. Remember money is not everything and job satisfaction is equally important.
Become a plummer, I just had one over yesterday to fix my hot water system only to flog me $400 to change a dump valve, which took him not more than 30 minutes to do (I could have got one at Bunnings and done it myself) - and they cry poverty (like Farque).
MY
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Agree he wants a job he will
Agree he wants a job he will enjoy for sure. After seeing the chicks on the charter boats in exmouth this year,part time deckie would be good he thinks.
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sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
Coxswains, STCW95, MED2 maybe?
Master 5 may take a while, but if his maths etc is good, then MED2 engineering is possibly a faster route to boats. Also if he does a course like Fishing, Aquaculture or Tourism at tafe, I know you and Jesse are mad divers he could go up to Assistant Instructor/Open Water Scuba Instructor if you are prepared to pay for the course. You need Rescue, DM - 60 logged - Laugh for Jesse, and 100 dives for AI/OWSI Im pretty sure he is past that ages ago?
If you do a cert 2/3(6 months each) or a marine studies diploma(18months I think) they are pathway subjects and as such although you do alot of units (hospitality, Responsible service of alcohol, Elements of shipboard safety, Baristas Course, Socially diverse environment, Cooking, Sailing etc) You can do diving, stcw95, mrocp, coxswains, med2 at greatly reduced prices while enrolled in a pathway subject like a cert 2/3 sure it takes 6 months, but if you enrol in extra units while there it is a massive reduction for some.
Eg STCW95 = $2500 Outside students, $968 for me as a cert 3 Marine Tourism Student. I think with Outdoor Rec (Marine Tourism) Cert III with Coxswains, Divemaster pretty much inclusive of 40 dives, Nitrox, STCW95, Remote First Aid, For around $3700.
Med II Engineering I looked at today for an extra $600
Or AI/OWSI for around $3500 diving. With these quals you could just about take your pick of Rec diving jobs anywhere in the world. After that, tec, ADAS, Oil and Gas etc is a viable option.
Finish school then hit tafe for 6-12-18 months. If he wants to drive or seriously work boats after that, plenty of experience on teh Brockman/Maritime image, then opportunities are there via Integrated Ratings and sponsorship from a company for the study money. When you get a job its starting salary $90k but 5 weeks at sea/5 weeks off. He is young but definately capable. All the best.
Pm me if interested in more info about tafe. Good Luck!
Bryan
Edit: Prices here are 2011 rough estimates from my study and are NOT concession as I am ineligable.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Bugger Uni, most engineers
Bugger Uni, most engineers I've met aren't on any better wages than most tradesmen in the mining/oil & gas industry. Good to do a trade and get some real good practical experience rather than an engineering degree. Tradeseman seem to be in higher demand anyway. Electrical/Instrumentation would be the path I recommend.
Goatch
Posts: 1011
Date Joined: 03/07/07
Engineers
Are a dime a dozen in the Mining Industry and don't tend to hang around or last too long for that matter , tradies are hard to come by and get the better rosters for a fishing lifestyle in the northwest anyway .
Just one more cast , honest !!!
thesupervisor
Posts: 1137
Date Joined: 10/06/09
if he likes hard work and he
if he likes hard work
and he is into diving mabe sub arc welding
400k for 6months work
getting the bottom line final answer from a bunch of blokes that use false names and put smiley faces at the end of paragraphs is not the best place in the world to get the information you seek.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
diving
I am a sparky myself the trade has been great to me, It looks like he is into diving and there would be good coin to earn as an underwater fitter/welder etc. Is a very dangerous job but might be a bit more enjoyable
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
It's great that he is already
It's great that he is already looking at what he wants to do at this age, most kids at this age have no clue and can't be bothered to think about it. Great that you are so supportive as well.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Thanks for all your comments
Thanks for all your comments some good stuff guys .will let you all know which way he swings.lol
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Deckie
Posts: 1297
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Electro
Hi Paul, 7 kids at our TAFE in Clarkson have just been offered apprentships in the mining & gas industry. They have just completed their pre-apprentiship & been scooped up in the electro-technology feild. Maybe worth a look at.
All the best to Jesse in what ever he chooses. cheers Rob
Cheers & Stay safe
Lastchance
Posts: 1272
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Get him into Electrical
Get him into Electrical and/or Instrumentation for sure. Bring with it a good attitude and keeness to work but most importantly learn and he is set. The trade is also a great stepping stone into Operations/Exploration as well. Probably a little biased as that is what Ive done, but other trades/professions also say the same thing.
Just let him know that other trades that call him a '24 Volt Plummer' or 'Cross Dresser' are just jealous!
Good luck.
crasny1
Posts: 6986
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Paul
If he is interested in the diving side, pm me and I will speak to my neighbour. He owns/operates a ComDive company and I can get the lo down one exactly what he needs. Why not PM Hlokk as he is a engine.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
good timing to get into is
good timing to get into is Paul
There is enough major work going on in WA, NT and QLD to last the next 10 years in project work, possibly more.
Over 100 billion in construction.
Sounds like he might be more suited to the tools.
Engineering isnt for the faint hearted, hard work long hours. And someone might be able to correct me but isnt mech Eng 4 years these days?
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
another alternative is
another alternative is engineering is a consideration, is civil engineering. PLENTY of work, plus good bucks when you come back to Perth.
Same deal tho need to head to uni first!
fat belly dog
Posts: 8
Date Joined: 23/05/11
Hi Paul,I am a Project
Hi Paul,
I am a Project Engineer in the offshore oil and gas game. I started out scaffolding and rigging in construction and oil and gas which was great as a young fella, hard work good pay and a bit of danger pre harness days..After a while I realised the body wouldn't take 30 years of rigging and I studied as a mature age student and did civil/structural and landed a job in an office designing large offshore platforms, from there I went contract and have work in a variety of roles I am now in offshore construction management and work in a office in Perth with a few trips away each year.
Having that time behind me on site was great easy to relate to subjects been studied and I like to think I am more practical in my engineering.
Money wise I am better off than a tradie on the mines working 12 hours a day... however free time is limited. I think as a young fella a FIFO job would be great for lifestyle, but I have a young family and like to be home.. Sure I hate been struck in the office but been a contractor I can and do take about 6-10 weeks a year holidays (if ya dont work ya dont get paid). I also tend to take extended breaks at the end of projects.
Depends what he wants to do, its a minimum of 4 years Uni and 1-2 in the office on graduates wages before site work. If he wants to head north straight away a trade would be the best bet, once hes done the apprenticeship he will and could be earning the better dollars. Even if he wants to study latter on 5-10 years working in the NW will set him up and he can go back and study. He will have plenty of coin and time off on a FIFO
As a young fella getting into it a degree in Mechanical or structural engineering is a good starting point, another path would be geophysical/geotechnical side and get into exploration,. there is the marine instutute in tassie that does a degree in ocean engineering targeting OnG work. Woodside, Apache, BHP, Chevron, Inpex, Origin all have big projects coming up its going to be busy ten or so years..
If he wants to have a chat about engineering work drop me a PM and I can give him/you a call.
Cheers
Anthony Hall 87
Posts: 193
Date Joined: 09/01/10
Paul, Just chuck in my two
Paul,
Just chuck in my two cents worth while everyone else is!
When I got to about year 12 I chose to undertake surveying at TAFE, mainly on a prayer and a whim. I have now worked 4 years in the mining industry and love it. I am currently working up at Argyle for Rio Tinto and enjoying the benefits of a 7 and 7 roster. Many Surveyors decide to go back and study engineering which adds another two years on as we generally have a very good understanding of mine engineering after doing the job for a couple of years.
As a graduate Jesse can expect to earn between 90-110k, then progress to 120-150k and then once he lands a senior postition 150k +. I find it a challenging job and it has the benefit of being able to work open pit, underground or in the construction industy. There is also a hydro surveyors course that can be undertaken (UNI).
I definatley think the mining indusrty is the way to go. I am only 23 and own (well the bank does
) a car, boat and a house. I also live a great lifestyle and intend to stay in the industry for the next 10 years.
Just my two cents, good luck to him though. It's a challenging time and I don't think I even knew what a surveyor was when I enrolled in the course!!
Tight lines to all :)
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
I used to be a mechanical tradesman offshore on the rigs,
Worked all around the world. My input is, engineers are rarely offshore, they sit in offices in town answering questions we had by email. If he wants to work offshore and not in an office he should go the trade route :)
Gooooone Fishin!
wazzbat
Posts: 977
Date Joined: 19/01/10
Mmmmm? Still considering a
Mmmmm? Still considering a move to mining myself? That's if I can get my foot in?
Paul - I would take the handy advice offered from everyone who has posted and also get Jessie to start firing off some emails/resumes to as many companies as possible explaining his situation/position. You might only get one reply but it might be the one that scores him a job down the track. Worth a shot? Remember that attitude counts for a fair whack!
Good luck.
I fish for the future - Cause I can't bloody catch anything!
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Thanks again to all who have
Thanks again to all who have said there bit all very intresting stuff he will stay and complete year 11-12 and I think a trade might be the go.
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HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
Its all well and good
saying he can $x doing this or $y doing that - if Jesse aint interested in it then really its a waste of time. I know ideally you wanna get your kid into mining / offshore as that is where the money is and the industry is booming - but really its not a lifestyle that suits everyone. The companies are less inclined to house people locally and prefer FIFO and in all honesty FIFO is a shit way to live unless you are on a good roster which are getting tougher and tougher to find. He can expect to lose contact with his mates over time since you are away a lot and only in Perth for one week in 6 (pretty standard FIFO construction roster in the NW), and its no coincidence that the industry as a whole has the highest divorce rate around (over 50%).
I guess what I am saying is that there is no point shovelling him down this path if his heart is not in it. You can still earn plenty good on trades around Perth (as you are probably aware) if he wants to do a trade.
He's a cluey kid, he'll find his own path to tread.
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
No Im not pushing he is just
No Im not pushing he is just getting ideas and in another two years he could be on a totally different path but which ever he choses i will surport him .he has brains and I would like him to use them and no end up working his but off like me .
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Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Incorrect
Some of that info is incorrect huggy. The rosters are getting better 4 and 1 is the standard construction roster and I agree it's not a long term way to live for most people but the latest gorgon roster is 27 and 9 days. The companies through employee shortages realise they need to make the rosters more attractive to the employees .I currently work an 8 and 6 days roster which is pretty good for family life and even better for fishing. I went back up there after working on the kwinana strop for 3 years and enjoy having alot more free time and greatly increased wage
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
Agree
The whole time I worked offshore I did a 4 week on 4 week off roster, obviously construction is different - generally higher pay with shit rosters.
Gooooone Fishin!
HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
offshore
is a different kettle of fish - generally is an equal time roster as you said Kane. Plenty of breaks, generally great food and sensational pay! But you are stuck on a platform with not a whole lot to do - swings and roundabouts.
Rig: for all the construction jobs I have been on in the NW, 6 on 1 off was the standard roster for grunts, others got 4 and 1's though (generally managers etc) and contractors sometimes had different schedules - that was woodside train 3/4/5/stab 6 and pluto. Gorgon may be a different kettle of fish because it is "offshore" on Barrow Island so you get a better roster.
Prelude would have been a nice to get involved in but thats being built in Korea so I'll probably miss the PFP contract which sucks balls cos there will be plenty of it. Unfortunately I dont think Aust have the ship building facitlities to produce something like that anyways.......fingers crossed they do a fair whack of the fitout here and I might be in with a show, but I doubt it given the cheaper labour they can utilise in Korea *shakes fist*
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
Paul, i'll keep an eye out
Paul, i'll keep an eye out for when Woodside offers their offshore apprenticeships and let you know, get the trade and a good roster too for plenty of fishing working out of Perth, you can't beat a trade especially when you learn in the industry, got me to where i am now.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
Area techs
on the gas plant seem to have a good job.
Wander around a bit, check gauges, authorise work permits, observe people working to make sure they are adhering to their permit etc. I'm sure there is much more to it, but to the casual observer it seemed a pretty cruisy caper!
They were plenty talkative, rostered on 2 - 1's with FIFO or relocation options, $130k/yr if I remember correctly after a start out apprentice wage of $90k/yr - always thought that would be the job for me LOL.
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
bramsy
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 05/06/11
Offshore
Hey fellas how is it,my first post so be gentle.I am whats called an Intergrated Rating or IR and have worked in the offshore for 18 years on board vessels from 4m to 200m all around Australia,IRs work deck and engine room from crew change boats to pipelayers,it can be a very rewarding job with the benifits of equal time 4on 4off, 5on 5off roster plus if you are a permanent employee a extra 28 days off after a years work.You can also live where ever you want as companies will fly you from the closest regional airport.As a frothing fisho this can be handy.To become an IR you need to be accepted by a company and put through a 15 week course and then 36weeks sea time as a trainee.You can also self fund and then try to get sea time with a company.Another way is to get STCW 95 and work for companies with smaller vessels as a DH [DECKHAND]and then apply for the IR course.
From IR after doing I think 36months sea time you can apply through the company and if accepted do the 2nd mates course about 9months at school from there more sea time ,i think 18 months then do the cheif officers course another 9months at school some more seatime then orals and you are the captain,nice this can all be acheived in about 10years.You could also do a deck officers or marine engineers cadetship which are about 5 years.Not a bad way to go for a young fella these days,good money and plenty of time off.
Down side,you have 2 lives half your life at sea and half at home you need to have a very stable home life to make it work or as a lots of crew do these days stay single and travel the world on your leave.Just another option for a career path hope this helps.Chow for now Nik,living in kalbarri working in the bass straight.