For Erlend Ellingsen Årskaug, the path to a permanent position at Equinor was short. Having been employed by TS Group since March 2025, he is now taking the next step after an educational period.
Many who start their careers in the oil and gas industry know that the path to permanent employment with operating companies requires both patience and varied experience. For the young man from Brekke, his time at TS Group has been the perfect entry ticket.
Experience opens doors
After obtaining a certificate in crane and lifting, and with an education from Dale High School, he has gained a good deal of offshore experience, despite his young age. He has worked on everything from overhaul shutdowns on Norne to assignments on Gullfaks B, Johan Castberg and Statfjord C.
It was precisely this varied experience that led him forward. Just one year after starting at TS Group, he was offered a permanent position directly at Equinor.
Varied everyday life with a focus on emergency preparedness
His daily work is anything but monotonous. His role as a logistics employee involves a mix of crane and lifting, logistics, forklift driving and work on the helideck.
– My main task is to move equipment from A to B in a safe and efficient way. In addition, receiving helicopters on deck is an important part of the responsibility. It is interdisciplinary, varied and very educational, he says.
Professional ambition doesn't stop at cranes and lifting. He already has most of the courses in place, and now the emergency preparedness part is his turn – a part of the job he finds extra exciting.
– I have taken refresher courses and plan to complete MOB boat and other emergency preparedness courses. Of course, I hope that an accident never happens, but it is important to be properly prepared if it becomes necessary, he emphasizes.
Predictability is key
At 23, he has found a schedule that works very well for his lifestyle. The 2/4 arrangement gives him the predictability he needs to plan his free time – whether it's building a house in Brekke or going on a summer vacation to Greece with his family.
– The 2/4 shift is worth its weight in gold. When I'm out, I'm fully focused on work, and when I'm home, I can completely disconnect. It gives me peace of mind to pursue my own projects and spend time with family and friends, he says.
A good starting point for the future
When he now moves to a permanent position at Equinor from June 1, he brings with him good experiences from his time at TS Group. He has found the culture and environment to be good even though he was hired to the workplace.
– I enjoy working offshore incredibly well. The social environment, whether we train, watch movies or just relax in the cabin, makes the time in the field go by quickly. I am ready for many more years in this job, he concludes.
We at TS Group thank Erlend for being a good colleague and wish him the best of luck at Equinor.
Do you want a career in oil and gas?
TS Group currently employs around 450 highly qualified employees and is continuously recruiting for vacant positions within the oil and gas industry, land industry and V&M. We are always looking for skilled professionals within crane, process, mechanical, electrical and automation who want new challenges with our customers.
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