Experience, knowledge, the Right Certificates
Properly qualified personnel is vital in any industry. This is certainly the case in the offshore industry, where people often work together closely in small teams and sometimes over long periods of time. Soft skills such as team spirit, stress management and adaptibility to change play a large role under these circumstances. Seafox, as service provider in support jack-up units, knows this like no other.
‘What can be expected from a crane driver? What criteria should a mechanic meet? We recruit according to a matrix that specifies all the necessary qualifications and certifications per position, explains Kim Pesch, Crewing Manager Europe at Seafox. Part of the recruitment is outsourced to various companies, including TOS. Josien Cool – Senior Consultant Offshore at TOS – evaluates the CVs and interviews with the candidates to make a first selection. Not only on the basis of the qualifications in the matrix, but also based on the criteria for soft skills. Kim feels that this approach works well. She says: ‘The quality of the candidates is good and also Josien knows exactly what we are looking for. We are often able to find a match quickly.’
Partnership
Besides recruitment and selection, TOS also keeps track of the developments in law and regulations when there are changes in routes or projects. Kim shares her experience: ‘TOS is very transparent about fees and employment contracts. We have a lot of contact about that, which is a great support. It means less discussion among the men on board.’ Other aspects that Kim looks for in the collaboration with service providers such as TOS are a good response time and availability. ‘And I find it important that a consultant is approachable and someone who opens up to the boys on board. I find it annoying, during a crew change, that they approach me with their questions and not their consultant. But Josien does a very good job in this respect. I consider our collaboration as a real partnership.’