career REM
A PATHWAY TO SEAFARING LIFE
REM OFFSHORE INVESTS IN THE SEAFARERS OF THE FUTURE
The trainees are well taken care of and receive important guidance in their work on board. Here we see first-year trainee Heine and bosun Helge Hafskjær on the Rem Art while the ship is docked in Kristiansund.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
A PATHWAY TO SEAFARING LIFE
It was early morning, and the sea was calmer than it had been in a long time as the two trainees prepared for their day’s work. Eighteen-year-old Heine Elvebu Grimstad donned his overalls, safety shoes, and hard hat before heading out on deck to meet the bosun for the day’s instructions. At the same time, nineteen-year-old Adrian Skogås confdently entered the labyrinth of tanks and machinery on the ship’s lower deck. He didn’t need a helmet down there, but hearing protection was crucial.
Both trainees were in their frst four weeks of work on the supply vessel Rem Art, but they had previous experience with Rem Ofshore. Heine had been stationed on a similar boat, Rem Star, during high school, while Adrian had been a frst-year trainee on the same ship the previous year. Te two had one thing in common: they enjoyed practical work.
WHAT DRIVES YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME SEAFARERS? AND WHAT CAN ONE EXPECT FROM AN TRAINEESHIP AT REM OFFSHORE? TO FIND OUT, WE SPOKE WITH HEINE AND ADRIAN ABOARD THE REM ART.
AB TRAINEE WITH “ANTS IN HIS PANTS”
“I decided to become a sailor when we were choosing our educational paths in 10th grade. It seemed like a fun profession, with a high salary and a good worklife balance with lots of free time,” Heine said.
As he spoke, he sat on a worn leather sofa near the ship’s reception area. Tis was where the mates took their cofee breaks. Heine spoke sofly and appeared calm, but appearances could be deceiving – Heine thrives on being active.
“I enjoy using my body and prefer physical work. But what I appreciate most about this job is the interaction with my colleagues on board. Tere are great people here, and it’s a positive work environment,” he said.
Te person he worked most closely with was the bosun, Helge Hafskjær, who kept a close eye on Heine and instructed him in everything from cleaning to repairs. Te collaboration was mutually benefcial.
“It’s enjoyable having trainees on board, and it’s rewarding to contribute to their education,” said Helge.
AB trainee Heine Elvebu Grimstad, 18, from Hareid on the northwestern coast of Norway, began his first working trip with Rem Offshore in August 2024.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
HOME FOR A QUICK FOOTBALL GAME
Heine is as active at home as he is at work, spending much of his free time playing football and working out. Tat’s why it was especially nice when, afer a night shif the previous week, he had the opportunity to take a quick trip home while the ship was docked in the shipyard, just 20 minutes from his house.
“I played football with my friends. It was great that the shipping company let me,” Heine smiled, noting that he of course returned before the next shif change.
He was starting to miss his family and friends a little, but it wasn’t too bad. Time few by on board, and he stayed in regular contact with his friends.
“I can’t use my cell phone much, but when we’re docked, I use mobile data to talk to friends on Snapchat. I have fve or six friends who also work on a boat or platform, and we share experiences about what we go through almost daily,” Heine said.
ENVISIONING A FUTURE WITH REM OFFSHORE
Te decision to apply for a traineeship at Rem Ofshore was a no-brainer for Heine. Te company’s headquarters are located in Fosnavåg, the same town where he attended high school. His positive experience working on Rem Star last year further solidifed his choice.
“I’ve also noticed that the company is building many new ships, so it seems like they have a bright future. When I fnish my traineeship, I hope to have the chance to try working on a wind farm service vessel and see if it’s a good ft for me,” Heine said.
An AB needs to be skilled at using a variety of tools.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
“THERE ARE GREAT PEOPLE HERE, AND IT’S A POSITIVE
WORK ENVIRONMENT
”
Heine Elvebu Grimstad, AB Trainee
The bosun, Helge Hafskjær, finds it rewarding to have trainees on board: “It’s fulfilling to contribute to their training”.
Daniel Spiro / JoDa
Photo:
ENGINE TRAINEE WITH A PASSION FOR CARS AND TAEKWONDO
In the control room, engine trainee Adrian chatted casually with his colleagues. Te ship was docked in Kristiansund, just a short bike ride from his home. At the end of his day shifs, he sometimes went for a drive with his friends, preferably with the metal band Rammstein blasting at full volume in his 2006 BMW E90.
“I love driving cars, and I also do taekwondo. So, a job with plenty of free time suits me perfectly. It almost feels like having a summer vacation every other month. I think that’s the main reason I chose this profession,” Adrian said.
He decided to work at sea when he selected maritime subjects in the TIP curriculum (technology and industrial production) in high school. Before that, all he knew was that he enjoyed physical work and working with machinery.
IN THE ENGINE ROOM THINGS MAKE SENSE
In the engine room on the lower deck, Adrian carefully inspected the area for any signs of trouble, such as an oil stain that could indicate a leak or wear on moving parts. Suddenly, he knelt and opened a hatch in the grid foor.
“I’m just going to add some grease,” he said.
Engine trainee Adrian Skogås, 19, from Kristiansund, chose Rem Offshore after an inspiring visit to his high school.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
“I LOVE DRIVING CARS, AND I ALSO DO TAEKWONDO. SO A JOB WITH PLENTY OF FREE TIME SUITS ME PERFECTLY”
Adrian Skogås, Engine Trainee
Adrian learns best through hands-on experience.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
“I LEARN BEST BY SEEING THINGS IN ACTION”
Adrian Skogås, Engine Trainee
Daniel Ekroll (to the left) and the other engineers on Rem Art are excellent mentors for the trainee. “I enjoy helping the trainees with their training and find it interesting to see if they enjoy the job,” said Ekroll.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
For Adrian, everything seemed to fall into place in the engine room.
“I learn best by seeing things in action. Te chief and the others can explain something to me in the control room, but I don’t fully understand it until I come down here and see it with my own eyes,” he explained.
REM OFFSHORE STOOD OUT
Unlike Heine, Adrian didn’t immediately decide on a traineeship at Rem Ofshore. His original dream was to join the Coast Guard, but his celiac disease ruled that
There are many great conversations in the control room.
out. As a backup plan, he set his sights on working on a supply ship.
When various shipping companies visited his school seeking trainees, Adrian remembered the Rem Ofshore representative standing out.
“She asked questions, almost like a mini-interview. She wanted to know why I was interested in working for them. I appreciated that the shipping company showed interest in me,” Adrian said, believing this was instrumental in his decision to apply for a traineeship with the company.
Afer completing his traineeship, Adrian has two more years of schooling ahead before he can become a maritime technician.
For now, he’s thoroughly enjoying his traineeship at sea. sea.
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
REM OFFSHORE INVESTS IN THE SEAFARERS OF THE FUTURE
Photo: Daniel Spiro / JoDa
As a growing shipping company with a constant need for new seafarers, Rem Ofshore invests heavily in recruiting young talent. Recognizing that candidates don’t always come knocking on their door, the company has implemented proactive recruitment strategies.
Te competition for young seafarers begins even before they choose a career path in 9th or 10th grade.
“We ensure that we meet these young people early on to showcase the opportunities we ofer,” said Assistant Crew Manager Mariann Lillerovde at Rem Ofshore.
To achieve this, the company participates in recruitment fairs and career days in Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag. Additionally, Rem Ofshore collaborates closely with high schools and welcomes many placement students.
“It’s gratifying when former placement students return as trainees,” Lillerovde noted.
As of today, Rem Ofshore has 31 trainees in the trades of seaman, ship mechanic, electrician, and cook.
QUALITY IS FOCUS
To ensure that trainees have a positive traineeship experience, Rem Ofshore places them on boats with experienced supervisors and instructors.
“We maintain open lines of communication and foster close cooperation between the trainee, ofce, and boat. It’s crucial that the apprentices feel comfortable asking questions,” explained Lillerovde.
Te company strives to customize training to meet each trainee’s individual needs, both academically and socially.
A TOUGH BATLE FOR THE BEST
Tere is a high demand for qualifed seafarers, particularly in the engineering department, but also for sailors and crane operators.
“While interest in maritime education has increased, the number of study places has not kept pace, especially in mechanical engineering. Tis means that the competition for the best candidates is ferce,” said Lillerovde.
“WE SEEK INDIVIDUALS WHO EXCEL AT COLLABORATION AND CAN SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATE INTO OUR ONBOARD TEAMS”
Mariann Lillerovde, Assistant Crew Manager
For shipping companies like Rem Ofshore, securing the best seafarers is paramount. Tis crucial task necessitates a stringent selection process to ensure the company attracts and retains top talent.
PRIORITIZING WORK ETHIC AND ENTHUSIASM
“We seek individuals who excel at collaboration and can seamlessly integrate into our onboard teams,” explained Lillerovde. “Terefore, we prioritize enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a conscientious, solutionoriented approach.”
While grades and diplomas are certainly valued, they are rarely the sole determining factors. ”It’s equally important that the trainee has a consistent attendance record and makes a positive impression during the job interview,” concluded the Assistant Crew Manager.
REM OFFSHORE AS HOLMEFJORDVEGEN 8, 6090 FOSNAVÅG NORWAY.
Design: Cann
Photo front page: Daniel Spiro / JoDa