Petroleum engineer : Training

Large organisations will recruit candidates annually onto graduate training programmes. They will also have ongoing recruitment programmes aimed at graduates with more than five years' relevant experience. Trainees in large organisations based in the UK can expect to work on projects in other countries as part of their training programme.

Generally speaking, training opportunities vary and will be determined by the company's needs and the individual's career plans. Programmes typically last three years and will include exposure to several different programmes, working on a variety of tasks.

Companies usually provide on-the-job training, as well as formal courses, to supplement practical offshore/field experience and develop core skills. Trainees also normally have access to personal mentoring and a 'buddy' system for work and career advice.

There is a strong emphasis on obtaining chartered status within respective disciplines, e.g. membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)