If you’ve never worked offshore before, it’s normal to feel unsure about what you’re signing up for.

We speak to people every week who are curious about offshore roles but hesitate at the last moment. Some worry about being away from home. Others aren’t sure whether they’re “cut out for it”. Quite a few simply don’t know what offshore life actually looks like beyond what they’ve seen on television.

This guide is here to clear the fog a little. Not to sell the idea, and not to sugar-coat it - just to explain what working offshore really involves, and why, for the right people, it can be a genuinely rewarding way to build a career.

What Does “Working Offshore” Actually Mean?

In simple terms, offshore work means carrying out your role at sea rather than on land. That could be on an offshore wind farm, an oil and gas installation, a substation, or a specialist vessel supporting energy projects.

The roles themselves are often very similar to onshore equivalents. Engineers still engineer. Technicians still maintain equipment. Supervisors still supervise teams. What changes is the environment and the way the work is organised.

Offshore sites operate as closed systems. Once you’re there, you’re there until your rotation ends. That structure suits some people very well. Others realise fairly quickly that it’s not for them.

Both outcomes are perfectly normal.

Offshore Rotations: How the Working Pattern Works

Offshore work runs on rotations rather than standard working weeks.

A common pattern might be two weeks offshore followed by two or three weeks at home, though this varies depending on the project. While you’re offshore, you’ll work long days. There’s no popping home in the evening and no weekends in the usual sense.

It can feel intense at first. Long shifts, the same faces every day, the same routines. But there’s a reason many people stick with it. When you’re home, you’re properly home. No commuting. No emails. No half-switching off.

For candidates new to this style of working, this is often the biggest adjustment.

Living Offshore: Accommodation, Foods and Facilities

Offshore accommodation is usually better than people expect, especially on modern installations.

You’ll have a cabin, access to showers, decent communal areas and regular meals provided by catering teams. You don’t need to worry about cooking, cleaning or daily logistics. Everything is scheduled and handled.

That said, offshore living is not luxurious. Space is shared. Privacy is limited. You won’t have the freedom you’re used to at home. Some people thrive in that simplicity. Others count the days.

Getting There: Travel and Transfers

Travel offshore is typically by helicopter or vessel, depending on where the site is located. Safety briefings are standard, and first-timers are always talked through the process carefully.

Travel arrangements are usually organised as part of the role, but the exact details vary. This is something your recruiter should explain clearly before anything is agreed.

If you’re applying from overseas, it’s also worth reviewing our guidance on overseas applications so you understand how location, documentation and timing can affect offshore roles.

Training, Medicals and Certifications

This is the part that often worries people unnecessarily.

Yes, offshore work requires training and medical clearance. That’s non-negotiable. But it’s also routine. These processes exist because offshore sites are safety-critical, not because employers are trying to make life difficult.

Requirements vary depending on the role. Some candidates assume they need everything upfront, when in reality they don’t. Others think they’re excluded before they’ve even spoken to a recruiter.

A proper conversation usually clears this up very quickly.

Safety Offshore: What You Should Expect

Offshore safety culture is strict, structured and visible.

You’ll attend briefings. You’ll follow procedures. You’ll be expected to stop work if something doesn’t look right. This can feel unfamiliar if you’ve only worked in less regulated environments before.

Most people adapt faster than they expect. Once the logic behind the rules becomes clear, the structure often feels reassuring rather than restrictive.

Is Offshore Work Right for Everyone?

No. And it’s not meant to be.

Offshore work tends to suit people who are comfortable with routine, can focus for long periods, and don’t mind time away from home - particularly those who like clear structure, defined goals and the satisfaction of seeing major projects take shape.

Some candidates try offshore work for a single contract and decide that’s enough. Others build entire careers around it. Neither choice is wrong.

The key is understanding what you’re committing to before you go.

Pay and Progression

Offshore roles are generally well paid, reflecting both the working environment and the level of responsibility involved. Pay structures vary by sector and role, and often include allowances linked to rotations, location or project demands.

What many people don’t realise at the outset is how stable offshore work can be, particularly on longer-term projects. Offshore wind developments, for example, often run for years rather than months, giving contractors and permanent staff a level of predictability that isn’t always associated with offshore roles.

There’s also a strong opportunity for career acceleration. Working offshore exposes you to complex projects, experienced teams and high standards of safety and delivery. For motivated candidates, that experience can fast-track progression into senior technical, supervisory or specialist roles far earlier than might be possible onshore.

For some, offshore work becomes a long-term career. For others, it’s a period of focused experience that opens doors elsewhere in the energy sector. Both routes are common, and both are valuable.

If career development matters to you, our wider career resources explore how offshore experience fits into long-term energy careers.

How People with Energy Supports Offshore Candidates

We’ve been placing offshore candidates for decades, and we know that success offshore starts before you step on a helicopter.

Our role is to make sure you understand what’s involved, what’s required, and whether a role genuinely fits your circumstances. That includes being honest with you when something isn’t right.

We support candidates through compliance, onboarding and the practical realities of offshore work - not just the paperwork.

Before You Decide

Working offshore isn’t mysterious once you’ve done it, but it can feel like a big leap beforehand. For many people, that first step turns out to be the one that reshapes how they think about work, time off and long-term progression.

The best advice we can give is simple: talk to someone who actually knows the sector. A short conversation can replace hours of guesswork and second-guessing, and help you understand whether offshore work could be a positive move at this stage of your career.

If you’re considering offshore work and want clear, straightforward advice, you’re welcome to upload your CV or contact our team for an honest discussion about your options.