Drilling engineer : Training

Formal training in areas specific to the job, as well as more general management skills, complements practical, hands-on, rig-site experience. Major oil companies have well-established graduate training programmes. These programmes help drilling engineers meet the requirements of the professional engineering institutions in order to gain chartered engineer (CEng) status through bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) , the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)  or the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) .

A mentoring system is often available to allow new graduates to access the advice and professional support of more senior engineers. Continuing professional development (CPD) is supported at a variety of locations - allowing graduates to build networks with international colleagues. Study facilities are also available offshore on oil platforms.

If you are working for a smaller company, you may find that you need to take responsibility for arranging and funding your own development and training, particularly if you are employed on a temporary contract basis.

Safety and survival training is obligatory. This usually takes three to five days and is carried out at specialist training facilities in Aberdeen. The course covers first aid, survival training, general safety and environmental awareness. Participants must pass an underwater helicopter escape course, which involves submersion and escape from an upturned helicopter simulator.