So yesterdays blog was all about how to work within the Oil & Gas industry as a Toolpusher, and today’s blog talks about how one can prepare themselves as a Toolpusher.
Generally speaking, Toolpushers must be proficient in working in a confined Marine environment and physically capable of executing emergency procedures comprising evacuations, fire drills, and further emergencies. Workers with this job title must be dedicated to a high standard of safety and be keen and able to obey all safety laws and all of the employer’s safety policies and rules.
In most cases, becoming a Toolpusher implies that you will have to be willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as the employer determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.
Working on a vessel for a long duration might involve the case of having to tactfully handle confrontation and therefore it is vital for workers of such nature to apply excellent conflict resolution skills.
Soundproof tips:
- The Toolpusher is the supervisor of the drilling rig crew and is in charge of everything on the location. His duties are to make sure the rig crew is doing their job in a safe and efficient manner and that all of the equipment on the rig site is being properly cared for. In addition to that he is responsible for ordering routine maintenance of the rig equipment, dispatching various service companies, moving the rig to the next location, keeping track of work hours, turning in daily reports to the drilling rig company and more. Countless items utilised by Toolpushers, both large and small are referred to as tools, hence the name “Toolpusher” for the person in charge of the daily operations of a drilling rig. This highlights the importance to educate yourself concerning the different types of oilfield jobs and their origins.
- A crucial factor to consider is the fact that most Toolpushers have had to work themselves up the ladder. Classically to get the job of a Toolpusher one must work their way up the line; from an inexperienced rig crew member to a roughneck position and then spend a few years as a driller. Infrequently do you find any Toolpushers who have not shadowed this pattern since knowing all job details, from the lowest to the driller’s job, is indispensable for a Toolpusher. Conclude if you have gained the right kind of education and skills needed and always try to gain more. Not every roughneck is cut out to be “Toolpusher material, these days the nature of the job is increasingly focused on detailed paperwork, using computer software to track apparatus inventory and hours and communicating professionally with the manager or consultant on the rig site and with drilling company supervisors.
- A high school diploma or a GED is essential. If you are currently working as a roughneck, with the aim of becoming a Toolpusher you should look ahead at the probability of assuming the Toolpusher’s job one day. This means paying attention to every particular detail on the rig and how the “pusher” keeps things prepared and in control. Make your determinations evident to the Toolpusher employed and don’t be afraid to ask for his advice (without sharing too much of your goals with your fellow roughnecks). References are significant, so retain your professional card and the business contact information of every Toolpusher you work with so that you can list them on your CV. Keep a book recording your contact information along with a description of every kind of rig that you have run and locations where you have drilled. It is easy to overlook this type of detail but being able to describe the variety of experience that you have will help you.
- Distinguish yourself as different from your peers by having leadership quality. Often as an oilfield roughneck it is easy to go along with the crowd. It can be a hard living and hard playing profession and many never aspire to be anything more. A proper leader, and one that will make a good boss on a drilling rig, is one that does not just follow the crowd but helps lead when things are tough. With concern for, and respect for his crew, they lead them in a way that makes them feel significant and willing to go to unlimited lengths to do a worthy job not because of pressure or fear but because of respect and knowing that you do know the job from the bottom up.
- Keep your background history clean. If becoming an oilfield Toolpusher is your career objective, ensure and maintain a clean criminal record. Offenses, including drug charges may stay on your record for years or more stipulating the importance to have a record that is clear.
If you are currently a driller, check the job postings on the following site: www.oil-jobs-recruitment.com and send in your application pertaining to jobs across Africa.
