What skills do candidates need to work in the Marine industry and how can a candidate’s skill-set be transitional across engineering industries?

Skills For Marine Engineers:

Flexibility

As a marine engineer, a candidate must expect to work flexible hours, which may include shift work and weekends. As well, if the job is based off shore then there will be an expectation to travel abroad.

Marine Engineers who specialise in offshore drilling often spend time on oil rigs to oversee maintenance. Additionally, Marine Engineers that work on performance yachts often have to travel overseas to be able to work during the racing seasons.

Ideally, a Marine candidate would have experience in travelling abroad for work, with the capability of adjusting easily to change and adapting fluidly. Marine Engineers can often spend time aboard on a ship, testing its performance and gathering information for its maintenance repairs.

The job is physically demanding and a Marine Engineer may be away from home for long periods of time – the ability to maintain enthusiasm and confidence is paramount to a successful career in the Marine industry.

Personal Skills That Can You Get A Job In The Marine Industry:

• Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Time Management

Managing personal time and the time of others.

• Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made and asking questions when appropriate.

• Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organisations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Additionally, operation monitoring, coordination, instructing and teaching, communicating effectively and deductive reasoning among other skills are all important to the role of a Marine Engineer.

Engineering Experience:

Many Marine Engineer jobs are available to candidates with experience in other engineering sectors. For example, the below list of engineering skills can be learnt in the Aerospace and Aviation industry, but are still relevant to jobs in the Marine industry:

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Engineering and Technology - practical application of engineering science and technology.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources.
• Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximising the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Check out our jobs in the Marine industry, or read more about upcoming trends in the marine industry.