Turning a passion for problem-solving into a career
From diagnosing faults in specialist equipment to studying for an HNC in Electrical Engineering, Alex is combining practical experience with formal qualifications as he builds his future at Oceanscan.
For Alex, the appeal of engineering lies in the challenge of solving problems. Three months into his traineeship at Oceanscan, he’s already getting hands-on with specialist non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment and subsea technology, developing his skills and learning from some of the industry’s most experienced engineers.
His traineeship offers the opportunity to do what he enjoys most – understand how things work, work out what’s gone wrong and find a solution – while building the knowledge and qualifications to take his career further.
Choosing to earn and learn
Before joining Oceanscan, Alex was studying at Banff Academy, working towards his Highers and National 5 qualifications across subjects including Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and English. He also completed a Foundation Apprenticeship in Business, while gaining valuable experience through a part-time job with a local company involved in house removals, carpet fitting and retail.
When it came to choosing his next step, Alex was looking for something that would allow him to keep learning without spending all his time in a classroom.
“The opportunity to earn while you learn really appealed to me. I liked the idea of going to college while also getting hands-on experience in a real working environment.”
Having heard about Oceanscan through someone already working at the company, he researched the business and its work across the subsea and offshore industries. Oceanscan’s growth as part of Venterra Group, particularly its involvement in offshore renewables, helped make the opportunity even more attractive.
“I could see it was a growing business, with lots happening across offshore renewables and the wider energy industry. There are opportunities to develop here, and potentially work offshore in the future, which is something I’d really like to do.”
Getting hands-on with specialist equipment
Since joining, Alex has spent much of his time working with NDT equipment, while also gaining exposure to subsea technology.
His work has included function testing Nortek 600s and working on D50 units, replacing housings, re-bonding and replacing screens, and investigating equipment faults. It’s the problem-solving element that he enjoys most.
“When something comes in and there’s no obvious fault, I really enjoy working through the process to find out what’s wrong. Then, when you’ve fixed it and see it working again, that’s one of my favourite parts of the job.”
The variety of equipment and tasks means there is always something new to understand, and Alex is keen to build his competence across a wider range of products as his traineeship progresses.
Manufacturer training will provide further opportunities to develop specialist knowledge, while upcoming radiation training will add another important element to his technical development.
Learning from the best
A major advantage of starting a career at Oceanscan is the opportunity to learn directly from colleagues who have years of practical and offshore industry experience.
Alex particularly values the support of Senior Base Engineer Jack, his manager, and Group Technical Manager Rob Ross, whose knowledge of the equipment and willingness to share it have already made a real difference.
“Jack is incredibly knowledgeable, especially from his experience working offshore. He always makes sure you understand what you’re learning before moving on, rather than just telling you what to do. That really helps the information stick.
“Rob is a real font of knowledge, too. He knows so much about all the equipment we work with. I’m always taking notes so that when I come back to a piece of equipment in a few months’ time, I can refresh my memory.”
For Alex, having approachable colleagues who are willing to explain the reasoning behind a task is just as valuable as learning the practical steps themselves. It’s helping him develop not only the skills to complete a job, but also a deeper understanding of the equipment and the processes involved.
The wider team has also helped him settle in quickly. From informal conversations in the workshop to team activities, group lunches, charity events and the office’s pool league, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know colleagues beyond just those in the workshop.
Qualifications with practical application
Alex attends college in Fraserburgh one day a week, studying for an HNC in Electrical Engineering. Thanks to his existing school qualifications, he’s been able to move straight onto the HNC rather than completing the preceding NC year.
The two-year course will run alongside his workplace development and take him through to the end of the traineeship programme.
For Alex, the combination is already proving worthwhile. The college course provides the technical foundations, while his work at Oceanscan gives him the opportunity to see how that knowledge applies to real equipment and customer requirements.
As he progresses, he wants to gain experience with more subsea equipment, complete manufacturer-specific training and develop a broader understanding of the business beyond the main workshop.
Building towards the future
Looking ahead, Alex hopes to develop the skills and experience needed to progress into offshore work, particularly as the offshore wind industry continues to grow and create opportunities in Scotland and beyond.
His traineeship is giving him a starting point from which to build, with practical experience, recognised qualifications and the support of experienced colleagues all contributing to his development.
His advice to anyone considering a similar opportunity is to make the most of their education and have the confidence to apply.
“Stick at it at school. I’ve been able to skip a couple of years of the traineeship because of the qualifications I achieved, so it’s really paid off making the most of my studies.
“And apply for the job – you never know exactly what they’re looking for, so put yourself out there.”
Three months in, Alex is already developing the technical skills and confidence that will help shape his future. With plenty more equipment to master and experience to gain, he’s looking forward to seeing where the next stage of his Oceanscan journey takes him.
