Introduction
Working in offshore locations like oil rigs , or Floating Production Storage and Offloading etc. is an inherently demanding and isolated experience. Workers will face challenges that extend far beyond the technical aspects of their work. One particular challenge is procuring food and beverages in these remote and confined environments.
Offshore platforms are situated in the sea, making it difficult for workers to obtain fresh and diverse food options. Delivery of goods is infrequent, costly, and can even be subjected to unpredictable weather conditions. All these things, plus the task of planning a healthy, satisfying, and filling meal, can be too much to bear for the crew.
In light of these challenges, the presence of a dedicated offshore food and beverage staff from the Philippines is not only desirable but essential to your operation. These professionals can bring a crucial skill set to handle the unique circumstances of your offshore operations. In this article, Supply Oilfield Services, Inc. will guide you in exploring the intricacies, benefits, and challenges of hiring offshore food and beverage service staff.
What Does It Mean To Hire Offshore Staff From the Philippines?
Hiring offshore food and beverage staff from the Philippines means bringing in skilled professionals who can manage the culinary operations of your offshore platforms, such as oil rigs and wind farms. This decision can benefit your operational efficiency and success, as well as the overall well-being of your crew.
Obesity, non-communicable diseases, and unhealthy lifestyles are quite common in the offshore industry and are directly related to the crew members’ diet. Without a proper team preparing nutritious meals for the team, the health of your staff will continue to decline, affecting the success of your operations and employee retention rate.
Professional offshore catering workers can help you plan a diverse and well-balanced menu based on the crew’s preferences, dietary restrictions, and nutritional requirements. They can also help you maintain high standards for hygiene and safety in the kitchen to minimize the risk of foodborne diseases and effectively protect everyone’s health.
Benefits of Hiring Filipino Offshore Food and Beverage Staff
Hiring offshore catering services staff from the Philippines can bring about numerous benefits to your offshore operation. Some of these advantages are:
Skilled Workforce
Among the biggest advantages of hiring offshore food and beverage staff from the Philippines is working with skilled professionals who do not stop learning. As one of the top sources of manpower in Asia, the Philippines goes to great lengths to make sure that they produce globally competitive professionals who possess the necessary skills to thrive in different fields, including offshore catering.
Work Ethic
Filipinos are known for their strong work ethic. Having this attitude in the demanding and challenging environment of offshore platforms can make a substantial difference in the success of your projects and operations.
English Proficiency
English is a widely spoken and understood language in the Philippines. About 80% of Filipinos can understand spoken English, while 55% can speak the language. This makes it easier for them to adjust to a mixed-culture workplace, such as offshore oil rigs. It also ensures that they can collaborate efficiently with every member of your crew.
Challenges in Employing Offshore Staff From the Philippines
Working with an offshore catering recruitment agency in the Philippines is a necessary step to succeed in hiring skilled Filipino workers. Here are some of the challenges that agencies can help you resolve:
Language and Cultural Barriers
Despite the high level of English proficiency among Filipino professionals, you may still encounter challenges during recruitment due to language nuances and cultural disparities. As an employer, it is essential to be mindful of certain social practices to foster a strong connection with potential offshore food and beverage staff in the Philippines.
Recruitment experts, such as those at SOS, can serve as intermediaries between you and prospective candidates. These professionals can use culturally appropriate practices during the hiring process, facilitating a meaningful connection with your future employees by assisting in interview preparations and question arrangements.
Safety Training and Skills Development
Ensuring the effectiveness of your offshore catering service staff in the Philippines is crucial. However, not all companies possess the resources or time to equip their offshore personnel with the skills to handle goods, manage food storage, plan meals, implement food safety protocols, and coordinate with suppliers.
With SOS as your partner, there’s no need to concern yourself with safety training and skills development. We can arrange training for our employees to ensure they can manage extensive food preparations for offshore platforms.
Offshore Employment Regulations
Navigating employment regulations when hiring offshore Filipino food and beverage service staff presents a complex challenge for employers. Key considerations include compliance with dual legal frameworks within the Philippines and the country where they will be deployed. This involves understanding visa and work permit requirements, adhering to minimum wage standards, ensuring proper employee benefits, and navigating termination procedures and severance regulations.
Cultural sensitivity is crucial in employment practices, considering both legal requirements and cultural norms. Employers must also be mindful of anti-discrimination laws and the importance of data privacy and confidentiality. Seeking legal advice or partnering with SOS experts familiar with the intricacies of both jurisdictions is recommended to ensure compliance and establish a positive working relationship with offshore staff.
How To Find the Best Offshore Staff for Your Company
With hundreds of offshore staffing agencies, choosing the perfect partner for your recruitment needs can feel overwhelming. Here are some steps you can take to help you narrow down your choices:
Seek Help From Industry Colleagues
Networking within the offshore industry can bring valuable insights and recommendations about who you should hire during your offshore catering recruitment in the Philippines. If you have a colleague who has been in the industry for a long time, now might be the best time to ask them about what qualities to look for in an offshore catering staff.
You can also ask people who are already on your team if they can recommend someone. Use this as an opportunity to reward your employees for recommendations and encourage them to stay longer in your company.
Partner With an Offshoring Solutions Agency
If looking for the ideal offshore food and beverage staff from the Philippines is not your strong suit, then perhaps leaving it up to the professionals might be the ideal solution for you.
By working with SOS, you can get dedicated support for your recruitment. Our team will take care of creating job posts, conducting interviews, performing background checks, and navigating compliance intricacies. Now, you have experts whose sole mission is to help you find the perfect candidates for your offshore catering.
Request Offshore Staffing Solutions From SOS Today
Maintaining a good diet and a satisfying lifestyle is possible even when you’re offshore. As long as you have the right people to support you in your catering needs, your crew members can experience an easy life even in a remote and challenging location.
At Supply Oilfield Services, Inc., we offer tailored solutions for your offshore operations. Our 40 years of experience in offshore catering, combined with our extensive network of skilled cooks and staff, ensures that we can meet your crew’s dietary requirements and preferences while still following the stringent food and safety standards of the industry.
FAQs About Offshore Food and Beverage Staff From the Philippines
What Do Offshore Food and Beverage Staff Do?
Offshore food and beverage service staff are trained professionals responsible for managing culinary operations in oil rigs and power plants. Their tasks include meal preparation, menu planning, and inventory management. They also ensure that your company follows safety and hygiene standards.
What Is It Like To Work Offshore?
Although it is not as dangerous as working in the rigs, working as an offshore food and beverage staff in the Philippines comes with its own set of challenges. These include limited resources, diverse crew dietary preferences, large-scale meal preparations, and adherence to strict safety standards.
How Does Offshore Staff Differ From Outsourced Ones?
Offshoring and outsourcing are common corporate terms often used interchangeably to refer to hiring a third-party team. However, in the oil and energy industries, offshore work refers to jobs done on platforms built on seas or oceans. Some examples of these structures are oil rigs, wind farms, drilling barges, and transport vessels.
Conclusion
Hiring offshore catering services staff in the Philippines can be advantageous for your company. However, it also comes with challenges that you can only overcome with the help of a reliable recruiter like SOS.
Supply Oilfield Services, Inc. utilizes our years of experience to help you find exceptional catering experts for your offshore operations. Contact us today for any inquiries about our services.
