Professional Diver
Professional divers mainly work in various underwater construction jobs, including foundation engineering, pipe-laying and steel construction. The work is physically and mentally demanding and requires careful planning, precision, and ability to work independently. Professional divers are often employed by companies providing diving services. Rescue departments, the Defence Forces and the Border Guard also employ professional divers.
Companies providing diving services, the Defence Forces, rescue departments and the Border Guard.
The work of a professional diver requires special expertise in underwater work. Versatile knowledge of diving and construction technology is necessary. Professional divers must be able to use and maintain diving systems and equipment.
A professional diver must master the tools and methods used in the work. Skills to be mastered include, for example, welding, flame cutting, drilling, charging, moulding, reinforcement and concrete work as well as moving bottom soils. Divers must have good drawing literacy.
Occupational safety must be carefully observed. Divers must be familiar with relevant safety regulations, occupational safety standards, and safety risks. Anticipating incidents is important. Divers must be able to act appropriately in dangerous situations. Work tasks are performed in demanding conditions at all times of the year, which poses its own challenges.
Attentiveness and responsibility as well as good planning and problem-solving skills are a must. Divers must be able to work both independently and as part of a team.Physical fitness and stress tolerance are required. A calm disposition is needed at the work. Divers must be in good physical and mental health.
Physical fitness and stress tolerance are required. A calm disposition is needed at the work. Divers must be in good physical and mental health.
- diving equipment
- diving operation requirements
A further vocational qualification as a professional diver can be completed in upper secondary education. Preparatory training for the qualification is organised at the upper secondary level in vocational adult education and training institutions. Apprenticeship training is also organised.
Only qualified divers may perform diving work. Qualification is determined by the nature of the work and the complexity of the diving. Task-specific qualification can be demonstrated with a certificate obtained for competence-based scuba diver's qualification or a suitable qualification completed at the Emergency Services Academy or a competence-based professional diver's vocational qualification.
In companies, the pay is determined by the employment contract concluded between the employee and the employer. The income of entrepreneurs depends on the profitability of the business. The salaries of divers employed by rescue departments, the Defence Forces and the Border Guard are determined in accordance with collective agreements.
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude. The salary information for an occupation is based on occupational groups defined by Statistics Finland’s national classification of occupations, which often include other similar occupations.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries
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