Oil and Gas

A career in the UK’s oil and gas industry in 2025 offers Armed Forces service leavers a dynamic and evolving opportunity. While the sector has historically been associated with offshore drilling and remote installations, it has expanded to encompass a wide array of cutting-edge fields. From digital transformation and carbon capture to renewable integration and clean energy innovation, today’s oil and gas industry is as much about the future as it is about fuelling the present.

The energy transition is reshaping the landscape. The shift from Oil & Gas UK to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) signals not just a name change but a fundamental redirection—one that embraces oil, gas, hydrogen, offshore wind, and carbon storage in an integrated energy mix. For service leavers, this new direction presents expanded career paths while still leveraging their unique blend of leadership, technical competence, and resilience developed during military service.

What’s involved?

In 2025, the oil and gas sector remains a cornerstone of the UK’s economy. It supports the production of critical fuels and products, provides energy security, and underpins significant export revenue. The sector is also playing a key role in delivering on the UK's net-zero ambitions by investing in technologies that reduce carbon emissions and transition the country to a low-carbon economy.

Although offshore rigs and installations are vital to the sector, the majority of roles remain onshore. This is due to the centralisation of logistics, project planning, research and development, and operational oversight in urban and industrial centres. The technological shift across the industry has also led to the decentralisation of certain offshore operations, with digital tools allowing onshore teams to remotely monitor and manage offshore activities.

The North Sea continues to be a critical source of oil and gas, although its fields are maturing. Operators are responding by using advanced extraction techniques, remote systems, and data analytics to optimise recovery and reduce costs. These innovations are enabling the UK to remain competitive, even in a high-cost environment. At the same time, companies are under increased pressure to decarbonise, requiring investment in carbon capture and storage, electrification of platforms, and integrated renewable systems.

Military veterans looking to enter the oil and gas workforce should be aware that the modern sector is highly interdisciplinary. Engineering and logistics remain central, but new opportunities are opening in digital systems, safety compliance, carbon management, and environmental stewardship. The sector’s ongoing transition to a lower-carbon model creates roles for those interested in sustainability, clean technologies, and next-generation energy development.

Working onshore

Onshore roles in 2025 have continued to diversify and now support the industry’s entire lifecycle—from exploration and planning to refining, logistics, and post-decommissioning environmental management. These jobs are largely based in major hubs like Aberdeen, London, Teesside, and Grangemouth. They typically follow standard working hours, making them attractive for those seeking stability and work-life balance after military service.

Key roles onshore range from project and programme management to asset integrity analysis, engineering design, compliance auditing, IT support, and environmental health and safety coordination. Office-based professionals increasingly rely on real-time data from offshore installations, enabling centralised decision-making and more efficient operations.

Innovation in energy production is a major theme across the onshore workforce. Scientists and engineers are working on the development of clean fuels, such as low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Others are engaged in refining upgrades that reduce emissions or increase efficiency. Maintenance and construction teams remain vital, especially for the buildout of carbon capture infrastructure and expansion of storage and pipeline facilities.

IT and cybersecurity roles are in high demand, particularly as the industry faces an increasing number of digital threats and expands its use of automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. The integration of smart systems into traditional infrastructure is accelerating, and individuals with experience managing secure communication systems, networks, and sensors—as many veterans have—are well-positioned to move into these roles.

Onshore logistics has also undergone transformation. With an emphasis on environmental and operational safety, the industry now demands greater efficiency and precision in the transport and handling of fuels, equipment, and personnel. Roles in this area involve coordination with ports, supply hubs, refineries, and offshore installations, ensuring continuity and compliance across the value chain.

Working offshore

Offshore work remains a physically demanding but financially rewarding option. Although the number of roles offshore is lower than onshore, they remain essential to exploration, production, maintenance, and emergency response. Offshore schedules typically follow a rotational pattern, such as two weeks on and two weeks off, with flights provided from key hubs to platforms.

In 2025, offshore installations have continued to benefit from automation and digital integration. Technicians now work alongside robotic tools and remote systems designed to improve safety and reduce human exposure to hazardous tasks. For example, drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are frequently used for inspections and maintenance in difficult-to-reach locations. These systems require trained operators and support staff, offering new roles in robotics, systems diagnostics, and offshore communications.

Despite the tech revolution, human oversight remains essential. Mechanical, electrical, and control engineers are still needed to maintain critical systems, troubleshoot breakdowns, and ensure uptime. The need for experienced personnel who can operate in high-pressure environments remains strong—making the skills and temperament of ex-service members extremely valuable.

Safety standards have reached new heights, with stricter regulations governing both individual installations and broader environmental performance. Modern offshore platforms now include enhanced accommodation, improved internet connectivity, expanded fitness and recreational options, and better catering to support the physical and mental health of the workforce.

Environmental concerns are also shaping offshore work. Workers are often involved in measuring and reducing emissions from flaring, preventing leaks, and ensuring compliance with UK and international marine safety standards. This adds another layer of responsibility and accountability, and roles focused on sustainability offshore are expected to increase in the coming years.

Evolving Roles

The traditional boundaries between job types in oil and gas are increasingly blurred. As the industry incorporates environmental targets and digital processes into everyday operations, the workforce must become more adaptable and cross-functional. This shift is creating new hybrid roles that combine engineering, environmental science, data analytics, and project oversight.

Service leavers with experience in systems integration, crisis management, team leadership, and multi-disciplinary coordination will find themselves well suited to these evolving positions. The growing importance of net-zero strategies means companies need professionals who can think strategically, adapt quickly, and lead change—traits that align well with military training.

Jobs are emerging in decarbonisation, emissions tracking, remote operations, renewable integration, and environmental impact analysis. These roles exist both onshore and offshore and often sit within new energy divisions of legacy oil and gas firms. Veterans seeking to transition into this area may benefit from acquiring knowledge of energy policy, carbon markets, and environmental reporting standards, which are increasingly important in regulatory and investor communications.

Skill up while serving

Military service offers a wide range of generalist and specialist skills that can transition smoothly into the oil and gas industry. Generalist skills like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork under pressure are essential to the coordination and delivery of large-scale energy projects. Veterans often excel in supervisory roles, project management, operational logistics, and compliance-focused work thanks to their structured and mission-driven backgrounds.

Specialist military roles also have direct applications in energy. Engineers experienced with mechanical systems, power generation, or control systems are especially sought after. Divers, particularly those trained for underwater maintenance or inspection, can move into commercial diving roles or transition into ROV operations. Cooks and hospitality staff accustomed to working in remote or challenging conditions may find opportunities in offshore catering and welfare.

Fuel specialists, often overlooked outside of military circles, bring a deep understanding of fuel storage, handling, and quality control. Their experience in managing supply chains, understanding complex distribution protocols, and adhering to strict safety standards gives them a distinct edge in sectors that handle volatile substances. Some military personnel even receive advanced fuel systems training that closely mirrors the practices used in civilian operations, especially in aviation refuelling or marine logistics.

The key for service leavers is to map their skills to civilian job descriptions and, where needed, obtain relevant industry certifications. This could include health and safety qualifications, offshore survival training, or technical credentials in a chosen field. The Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme can help cover the costs of these courses.

Employment prospects for Service leavers

The employment outlook in 2025 for service leavers entering the oil and gas industry is positive and expanding. The transition to an integrated energy model has not reduced opportunities—in fact, it has widened them. Companies are increasingly seeking individuals who can operate in high-responsibility roles, adapt to new technologies, and think holistically about energy systems and sustainability.

According to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), over 213,000 jobs were supported by the industry in 2022, and the need for at least 10,000 new entrants is projected through 2025. Many of these roles will involve technologies or systems that are new to the sector, offering opportunities for early movers and those willing to retrain. Key areas of growth include hydrogen production, offshore wind maintenance, and carbon capture and storage projects. These activities require skilled project coordinators, technicians, health and safety officers, environmental specialists, and engineers.

Service leavers can access dedicated support through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the Forces Employment Charity, and other government-backed initiatives. These organisations provide guidance on CV writing, interview preparation, skills translation, and job-matching services. Many energy companies also run veteran-specific recruitment schemes, offering fast-tracked applications and mentoring for ex-service personnel.

Whether your background is in logistics, operations, engineering, or health and safety, the breadth of roles available in energy means you can transition into a civilian career that suits your goals, values, and abilities. The industry not only welcomes military experience—it depends on it.

Divers

Diving remains a specialist and vital function within offshore oil and gas operations. Commercial divers support construction, maintenance, and inspection of subsea structures, often in high-pressure and time-sensitive environments. Their work is supported by life support technicians, surface support teams, and ROV operators who provide technical assistance and remote inspections where human access is too dangerous or impractical.

Military divers and those with underwater engineering or EOD experience are well-positioned to move into these roles, often through recognised civilian diving schools and certification pathways. Those transitioning into ROV technician roles benefit from a background in electronics, control systems, or marine operations—skills commonly found in the Royal Navy and other military branches.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDUSTRY

To work in the oil and gas industry, applicants must typically be at least 18 years of age. Offshore roles may require specific physical standards, including fitness levels and normal colour vision, particularly where safety or signal-based equipment is involved. Some positions also impose minimum height restrictions due to equipment sizing.

While experience is highly valued, qualifications vary by role. For offshore work, completing an OPITO-approved Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) course is essential. This training includes modules on helicopter safety, sea survival, first aid, firefighting, and emergency breathing systems. Additional training may be needed for cold-water environments.

Technical roles may require qualifications in engineering, logistics, or science. AS-levels or equivalent are needed for technician-level jobs, while GCSEs may be sufficient for entry-level craft roles. Using the ELC scheme, service leavers can obtain industry-recognised qualifications at Level 3 or higher in fields such as process operations, maintenance, refinery systems, or offshore deck operations.

Apprenticeships, including the Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP), are also available and offer pathways into electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance, process operations, and instrumentation. These programmes are managed jointly by OPITO and the ECITB and are designed to train the next generation of technicians for the sector.

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Get Qualified

For offshore workers in the oil and gas industry, meeting specific safety training standards is essential. These standards include:

• Understanding the hazardous offshore environment
• Adhering to safety practices, including observation systems
• Conducting risk assessments
• Maintaining platform integrity
• Understanding and applying permit to work systems
• Executing mechanical lifting operations safely
• Practicing safe manual handling
• Controlling exposure to hazardous substances
• Safely working at height

These components ensure the well-being of individuals and the safety of operations in challenging offshore conditions.

THE VANTAGE ADVANTAGE

To find out more about LOGIC’s VantagePOB system click here

Passing an OPITO-approved Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) course is a minimum requirement to work offshore. It consists of four modules:

1. Safety Induction
2. Helicopter Safety and Escape (HUET)
3. Sea Survival and First Aid
4. Fire Fighting and Self Rescue.

BOSIET is required for cold-water areas and includes additional training in the use of survival suits and emergency breathing systems during the HUET module. The course is OPITO accredited and successful completion results in an internationally recognised certification. 

Those with degrees in geology, chemistry, engineering and logistics, and experience in project management, are highly sought after. AS-levels or equivalent are required to enter as a technician, while GCSEs or equivalent will give you a start at craft level. According to Cogent Skills (the UK’s strategic body for skills in the science industries, led by sector employers), there is a significant under-supply of people qualified at S/NVQ levels 2 and 3, so you might want to think about using your ELC to secure relevant qualifications at level 3 (or above, of course). As occupations that employ people qualified at this level account for well over half of the oil and gas industry, this is a significant shortfall – and one that the industry is aiming to address. There are a large number of relevant S/NVQs to be gained, in subjects including:

• bulk liquid warehousing
• chemical, pharmaceutical and petro-chemical operations 
• forecourt operations
• measurement processes (maintenance)
• measurement processes (proving, prover)
• nuclear decommissioning
• offshore deck operations 
• offshore drilling operations
• process engineering maintenance 
• processing operations: hydrocarbons
• refinery control room operations 
• refinery field operations.

Cogent Skills continues to work with the industry to develop standards, qualifications and training. Energy & Utility Skills (the UK authority on skills and workforce development in the energy and utilities industries) is also developing occupational standards and qualifications for those involved in mains laying and service laying.

OIL AND GAS APPRENTICESHIPS
The Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) is offered in four key disciplines: electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance, process operations, and instrumentation and control maintenance. It is managed by OPITO along with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, ECITB (apprentices will be part of the programme under either OPITO or ECITB). Although applications have closed for 2022, details of how to apply for the 2023 intake will be posted in early 2023, so keep an eye on this page for the latest info: www.ogtap.co.uk.

Use your ELC

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELC website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on this website.

AN ONLINE INTRODUCTION TO THE INDUSTRY

OPITO’s Introduction to the Oil and Gas Industry e-learning course is designed to support the induction of newcomers to the industry, giving those looking to work in technical and commercial roles the opportunity to explore the world of oil and gas in an interactive and stimulating environment.

The programme gives an overall picture of industry-specific functionality, together with an appreciation of the challenges involved in the production of hydrocarbons and an understanding of the different job roles involved.

The course, which takes between two and four hours to complete, is designed to offer an opportunity to explore the oil and gas industry in its entirety, from the formation of hydrocarbons to the decommissioning of installations.

Entry requires no academic qualifications, skills or experience. To find out more, click here.

Finding employment

For those ready to make the leap into the energy sector, a number of recruitment websites specialise in oil and gas job listings. Platforms such as Energy Jobline, Oil and Gas Job Search, and Rigzone offer targeted vacancies and industry news to help you navigate your options.

Employers are actively looking for ex-Forces candidates and value the unique blend of soft and hard skills they bring. Salaries are competitive, with experienced personnel earning upwards of £30,000 and significantly more for technical or offshore roles. Staying updated on industry developments and aligning your experience with sector needs will help you stand out in a crowded job market.

As the UK charts its path to a net-zero future, there has never been a better time to step into a sector that not only builds on your service career but gives you the chance to shape the country’s energy future.

You can search for vacancies on specialist recruitment websites like:

• Energy Jobline
• Oil and Gas Job Search, and
• Rigzone.