Connecting Young Talent and Strategy
BW Offshore strongly believes in supporting and recruiting young talent to maintain our competitive position in the ever-evolving energy landscape. Our aim is to provide our young talents with an international mindset and a strong understanding of expectations and possibilities within our company.
The BW Offshore Graduate Programme is a three-year programme, where the Graduates get to work in highly competent teams, travel offshore, and spend time in various disciplines and locations, giving them the best possible insight into our company and the industry at large. Each Graduate’s programme plan is shaped in close dialogue with them as an individual, and includes close mentorship from dedicated senior personnel. This sets the foundation for long-term personal and career development within our company. After the three-year programme comes to an end, the Graduates continue as permanent employees in BW Offshore.
In light of World Youth Skills Day, we have asked Håkon K. Pettersen to share his experience as a Graduate at BW Offshore.
I have learnt that it is important to take control of your own learning journey, and how challenging yourself outside of your comfort zone is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Demonstrating an eagerness to work and tackle challenges is always appreciated by leaders, and ultimately contributes to the overall success of the team and organisation.
Håkon K. Pettersen, Project Engineer TMS
Reflecting on my career journey with BW Offshore, I can confidently say that being part of the Graduate programme has been a transformative experience that has shaped me in more ways than I anticipated. My time as a Graduate significantly contributed to both my professional and personal development through fostering a growth mindset, honing critical skills, and offering valuable industry insights.
The experience I gained as a Graduate further developed my expertise in structural mechanics and structural analysis. Applying theoretical knowledge from university in practical, real-world scenarios has been incredibly rewarding. This daily practice, supported by the guidance and willingness of my colleagues to share their knowledge, has deepened my understanding and capability in these areas. My experience at BW Offshore has sharpened my analytical skills and enhanced my ability to develop and implement practical solutions.
The complexity of the projects at BW Offshore demand a high level of critical thinking and resilience. Joining the Turret, Mooring, and SURF (TMS) group just three months into the graduate programme introduced me to a world of intricate tasks and challenges. Engaging with the major energy project Barossa encouraged me to think critically and approach problems from multiple angles within different disciplines. I have learnt that teamwork is key by having an open dialogue with my leaders and sharing knowledge between colleagues. Working on such large projects has also instilled a strong sense of responsibility and accountability in me. Each task, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger project goals, and this awareness drives a commitment to excellence. Navigating and learning from setbacks has been a vital part of my personal growth, teaching me to persevere and maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity.
A pivotal moment in my journey was understanding the value of curiosity and continuous learning. The move to TMS exposed me to new tasks, solutions, and concepts, making it clear that an active desire to learn and develop skills is key to professional enjoyment and success. Curiosity not only makes work more interesting, but also fosters meaningful connections with colleagues, which in turn enhances both personal satisfaction and team productivity. From the start, effective communication and collaboration has been a vital part of my development. Having to navigate diverse viewpoints to find optimal solutions, untainted by personal or company biases, mirrors the essence of skill-building. By recognising the value of alignment among all stakeholders, both within and outside the organisation, my ability to work well in teams and create innovative solutions has improved.
Looking back, if I could offer advice to my younger self starting in this graduate program, it would be to remain patient. I have learnt that it is important to take control of your own learning journey, and how challenging yourself outside of your comfort zone is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Demonstrating an eagerness to work and tackle challenges is always appreciated by leaders, and ultimately contributes to the overall success of the team and organisation.
My line managers always showed confidence in my skills and ability to navigate challenging tasks. In my case, I was given the role as “Turret Interface Engineer” in the Barossa project without much prior knowledge. However, dedicated assistance from the engineering manager, discipline lead and delivery manager ensured that I received the proper training for this important role, and the responsibilities that come with it. This perfectly demonstrates how BW Offshore as a company strives to continuously grow and be competitive by developing talented engineers and leaders for the future.
The oil and gas industry is renowned for pushing the boundaries of what is possible, continually advancing safety measures and developing new technologies. Working alongside experienced professionals at BW Offshore has been an eye-opener. The wealth of knowledge and ideas shared by my colleagues has inspired me and affirmed my decision to join this industry. Their expertise and willingness to tackle new challenges have been a driving force behind my enthusiasm to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
Håkon started his Graduate programme in 2021, where he spent 2,5 years as a TMS Interface Engineer. Following his completion of the programme, he was recently promoted to Project Engineer – TMS. He now reports to Hans Høegh-Omdal, SVP Turret & Mooring Projects.