At the kb. school, Henning Jakobsen from Senja and 13 newly hired professional divers will gain the cutting-edge expertise that diving and service services for deep-sea operations require.
This week, the Senja resident and ten other colleagues are attending the kb. school, a training week that gives new employees an introduction to kb.'s unique experience and cutting-edge expertise in diving and deep-sea service. For the 27-year-old, the choice to apply for a job as a professional diver at kb. was easy.
– kb. is growing rapidly and is among the best in the world in submersible technology. For me, it is very exciting to be part of this groundbreaking venture. Everything indicates that deep-sea services will take a larger share of the market, and then I will have that cutting-edge expertise. It feels like this is where I should be to develop as a professional diver, he says.
Takes security seriously
The kb. school is completed by all new employees at kb. In addition to the basic knowledge of fish welfare, hygiene and chemical handling, participants receive specially adapted theoretical and practical training aimed at servicing submersible technologies. Diving doctor Håvard Avelsgaard teaches, and some of the country's leading experts teach professional divers about ropes, materials, tying and mending nets underwater.
– We have also put in place a visualization program with an animation of deep-sea drifting. It is lifelike and realistic. We spend a lot of time practicing skills using the animation. We get that back in the field, says diving expert and business developer Ola Krystad in kb.
The best in the country
He is confident that the kb. school will provide participants with the skills needed to carry out assignments for customers in a satisfactory manner.
– Diving and service services for deep-sea operations are so special that we give our employees these skills directly. The kb. school ensures that everyone knows the same thing and that everyone has the required competence. Our goal is to be the best service company for deep-sea operations in the country.
When operating deep, it is crucial for the result to avoid raising the nets throughout the production cycle. Krystad says that it is therefore crucial that the professional divers in the kb. have a high level of skill in net mending.
– We repair nets underwater when needed. Our customers should have access to this expertise. We are now enabling our people to be the market's best performers in the services we offer to our customers. It is important that everyone receives the same training and that the training is done by the best in the country in their fields, says Are Brekk , general manager of kb.
Valuable days
After completing the training week, newly certified Jakobsen is satisfied with the start of his new employer.
– I am impressed that kb. uses such large resources to enable us to perform our job. It is safe to know that we have all received training from those who know this best. Now I know both kb. and my own work tasks as well as I can, even before I have gained practical experience myself at the customers'. Now I am looking forward to getting out on the vessels, Jakobsen smiles.
Growing needs
The diving company kb. has over 20 years of experience from a wide range of diving and service operations along the entire Norwegian coast. They recently invested in two new boats to meet the growing need for diving and service services on deep-sea operations, and announced a need to triple the crew – from 15 to 45 employees. Now the first 11 new professional divers are in place in Rørvik, and there are more to come.
– We are overwhelmed by the response we have received. We have now received over 100 applications from people who want to take part in the investment in deep drilling services. This tells me that what we at kb. do is exciting for many. This is just the beginning, says Krystad.
