Name: Hannah Garden
Age: 18
Where are you from? Inverallochy, Fraserburgh
Where do you live? Aberdeen
Qualifications and where studied? I completed my secondary education at Fraserburgh Academy where I attained a variety of Higher qualifications, including Mathematics, Physics, Graphic Communication amongst several others. Through the course of which I am now doing I am working towards achieving a range of qualifications.
What is your job? Since leaving school at the end of sixth year, I am training to become a process operator through OPITO on the Industry’s Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training scheme.
What does it involve? The apprenticeship is a four year long scheme where the first two years will be spent at Aberdeen College, where further education and practical skills are gained, followed by a further two years of on the job training which will either be onshore or offshore.
What are the main stages of your apprenticeship training programme and how long will it take to complete? My apprenticeship will take four years to complete, with 21 months based in Aberdeen where I will attend college, gaining a wide variety of both further education and practical skills.
The qualifications I will gain throughout the duration at Aberdeen College range from MIST (Minimum Industry Safety Training Standard) and process discipline Skills to health and safety, Management of Major Emergencies, and also an HNC in Petroleum Process Technology, Operations and Control. After the completion of these qualifications, the final two years of the apprenticeship consists of on the job training where each individual on the course will either be allocated a position onshore or offshore.
What are the benefits of an apprenticeship programme like the one you are on? Throughout the scheme I am on, there are many benefits included throughout the four years. While having a job for this period of time, it allows you to gain both knowledge and practical experience, where you have the opportunity to work on a plant for the last half of the duration of the programme, as well as giving you a true insight into the workings of the industry.
The rate being employed once fully qualified is very high which is of great advantage. In addition to this, you also have the opportunity to be taught by people who had previously worked in the industry for a number of years.
What are the challenging aspects of the programme? A high volume of deadlines are to be met throughout the duration of the course which can be at times difficult due to the nature of the demanding course.
Why did you choose your career in the oil and gas industry? The course offers outstanding opportunities throughout the four years that will fit you for a career once fully qualified.
What do you think are some of the misconceptions about the industry? That it is a heavily male influenced industry where women don’t have the same opportunities. However the industry offers equal opportunities in all areas.
What are the best and worst bits of your job? The demands of the job require you to spend periods of time away from home therefore not seeing family and friends often. On the other hand the benefits of the job outweigh the negatives. For example, much greater job prospects.
Who or what has influenced you in your career to date? As members of my family work in the industry I have seen the great opportunities and benefits offered by the oil and gas sector. My family has always supported my decisions and has helped me to find the best route in order to pursue a career in my desired field of work.
Where do you see your career going? I hope to be working offshore where greater knowledge and understanding of my chosen field will be obtained.
What advice would you give to others looking to get into the oil and gas industry? By speaking to people who are already involved in the industry you can gain an insight into the work involved. Also, by attaining work experience a greater understanding can be developed.
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