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31 January 2023
Niculae Basturea, Bosun, has been working with Atlas Professionals for almost a decade and has gathered invaluable insight regarding the past, present and the future of the industry.
10.000 hours. Better yet, 800 12-hour days. According to New York Times Bestseller Malcolm Gladwell, that’s how long it takes to “master” a skill or a profession; to learn it’s nooks and crannies and to have enough knowledge to pass it upon a newer generation that is enthusiastic to pick up that skill. As a recruitment company with over 40 years of experience and knowledge within the industry, Atlas Professionals is proud that many Professionals have been trusting their careers with Atlas Professionals for almost a decade – more than enough to master their trade.
Niculae is one such Professional. During his total of 14 years in Marine, Energy and Renewables industries, he has trusted Atlas Professionals for more than 9 of it and now shares his valuable memories, insights, and commentary about the past, the present and the future of Marine, Energy and Renewable industries.
Similar Yet Different
Niculae explains that he chose the offshore career due to his previous experience as a seafarer. He wanted a more dynamic, rewarding – yet somehow familiar – industry to work in: “For me, offshore was not something completely new because I transitioned from Maritime industry as a Seaman,” he argues, “but this industry always has new developments you have to keep up with.”
He explains that due to new technologies and methods that are being introduced rather frequently, you constantly have to monitor what is new and sometimes acquire new certificates, courses. When asked about the process of earning these new qualifications, he states that “(...) Atlas Professionals always showed me the way when I needed new certificates.”
Of course, when you are in an industry for more than a decade, it is highly likely that you will face memorable challenges. When asked about a specific memorable challenge he had to overcome during his time with Atlas Professionals, Niculae immediately remembers one distinct experience he had with wind turbines: “Installing wind turbines was a hard challenge as it was completely new to me. It required a lot of new skills to be learned and existing ones to be tested.” He agrees that different – and sometimes difficult – challenges like these allow him to be better and do better – especially considering how demanding this industry is.
Change Is in the Air
Given enough time, everything will change – and hopefully for the better. “The industry has grown a lot in the past decade in terms of what it offers and who is involved in it,” Niculae argues. This is highly accurate as these days, there is a significant demand for having an inclusive and international work environment where Professionals from all walks of life can work together on the same vessel. “You can find people from various countries and cultures onboard the vessel working together to make sure everything is working as intended.” He goes on to list colleagues from more than 10 different countries working on the same vessel and how he enjoyed their company.
That is not all. According to Niculae, next to language or cultural barriers, gender barriers within the industry are getting shaken up too. “Nowadays, it is easy to spot women both on offshore and on onshore facilities,” says Niculae, “this was not always the case during my initial years in the industry.” He explains that over the years, he started to see a significant increase in women working in the industry: “Overall, diversity and inclusiveness are some of the areas where the industry made significant gains. Social and regulatory changes are abundant as well.” He explains that there is now a great amount of effort to pursue greener and more sustainable policies: “For example, nowadays, when installing new equipment deep into the ocean, we are using high technology vessels that ensure marine life is not heavily disturbed.”
Trust, Reliability, and a Friendly Face
When asked how he would describe his relationship with Atlas Professionals and why he trusted his career with the recruitment company: “Atlas Professionals is like a family,” are his exact words. “Whenever you have an issue, you can be sure that Atlas Professionals has your back and will do their hardest to have it resolved.”
He continues: “I have been with Atlas Professionals for over 9 years, and we have been through a lot. I have not experienced a moment where I was not provided accurate, reliable information. They tell you everything truthfully when anything happens.” Atlas Professionals is more than happy to be part of Niculae’s journey and hopes to provide the same level of service and attention to detail in each and every one of his future endeavors.
Past, Present and the Future
For a younger generation of Professionals eyeing to pursue a similar profession as his, Niculae stresses the importance of two values as top priorities for every Professional: patience and utmost attention to safety concerns. “The industry has made noticeable gains in the last decade in that aspect,” he argues, “but it still relies on how disciplined and attentive you are. This job is a team effort, and it is best to act in accordance with that.”
As for his future? Well, Niculae feels like he had his fair share of experience within the offshore industry and now is looking for a more onshore position: “The offshore schedule is more favourable when you are younger and have more energy,” he argues, “now I am looking forward to a more onshore life.” Judging by his track record of years long success, it is a safe bet to assume he will again achieve his ambitions.
