How Rope Access Companies Hire: What Employers Look For

You've got your IRATA certification. Maybe some additional certs too. Now comes the harder part: actually getting hired.

Understanding how rope access companies think about hiring can make the difference between being ignored and getting work. This guide covers what employers actually look for and how to position yourself to get their attention.

How Hiring Works in Rope Access

First, understand the hiring landscape.

Project-Based Needs

Most rope access work is project-driven. Companies win contracts, then staff them. This means:

• Hiring happens in waves (when projects come in)
• Availability timing matters
• Requirements vary project to project
• The same company might be hiring one month and quiet the next

The Channels

Companies find technicians through:

Direct Applications People who've sent CVs directly and are on file.

Agencies Staffing companies that maintain technician databases.

Referrals "Who do you know who's available?" — the most trusted source.

Professional Networks LinkedIn, industry platforms, training center connections.

Repeat Hires Technicians who've worked well on previous projects.

If you're new, direct applications and agencies are your starting point. Over time, referrals and repeat work become more important.

What Employers Actually Look For

Let's be practical. Here's what makes the difference when companies review candidates.

1. Certifications — The Table Stakes

Your certifications are the minimum filter. If you don't have what's required, you don't get considered.

• IRATA or SPRAT certification (current, not expired)
• Level appropriate for the role

• First Aid (current)
• CSCS/VCA (for construction sites)
• BOSIET/GWO (for offshore/wind)
• Trade certs (for specialized roles)

The Reality:

• Their IRATA is expired
• They lack required supporting certs
• Their medical isn't current

Keep your paperwork in order. This is basic, but many people get it wrong.

2. Experience — Quality Matters

Hours matter, but so does what you did during those hours.

What Employers Care About:

• Relevant experience to the project type
• Progression and growth over time
• Variety of work (shows adaptability)
• Level progression (shows commitment)

What Stands Out:

"200 hours on offshore wind projects" is more relevant for a wind job than "500 hours of building maintenance."

Match your experience to what you're applying for. Highlight the relevant stuff.

3. Trade Skills — The Differentiators

IRATA gives you access. Trade skills make you valuable.

High-Value Skills:

• Welding (coded)
• NDT (UT, MT, PT, VT)
• Painting and coating
• Rigging
• Electrical work
• Blade repair (for wind)

Companies need technicians who can do the actual work, not just access the work site. If you can weld or inspect as well as climb, you're more valuable.

4. Equipment — Increasingly Important

In markets like the Netherlands and Scandinavia, owning your own equipment signals:

• Genuine contractor status
• Professional investment
• Readiness to work

Many job listings now specify "must have own PPE." If you don't, that's a filter you won't pass.

5. Availability and Flexibility

• Start at short notice
• Require travel
• Have unpredictable durations

Technicians who can mobilize quickly and work flexibly get more opportunities than those with restrictions.

What Helps:

• Being clear about your availability
• Willingness to travel
• Flexibility on dates
• Quick response to inquiries

6. Reputation and References

This industry runs on trust. Your reputation follows you.

What Matters:

• How you performed on previous jobs
• What supervisors say about you
• Your professionalism and reliability
• Safety record

A strong reference from a respected Level 3 or project manager can open doors. A bad reputation closes them.

What Makes a Good Rope Access CV

Your CV is your first impression. Make it work.

Structure

Keep it clear and scannable. One to two pages maximum.

Key Sections:

1. Contact details
2. IRATA/SPRAT certification (level, expiry date)
3. Additional certifications (list all, with expiry dates)
4. Equipment owned (if applicable)
5. Work experience (relevant highlights)
6. Trade skills/qualifications
7. Availability

What to Include

• Exact certification names
• Certification numbers
• Expiry dates
• Issuing bodies

• Project type (offshore wind, construction, industrial)
• Company worked with
• Dates and duration
• Key tasks performed

• Specific codes and standards
• Issuing bodies
• Relevant to the work you're applying for

What to Avoid

• Walls of text (use bullet points for experience)
• Irrelevant information (your retail job from 2010 doesn't matter)
• Vague descriptions ("did various tasks")
• Missing expiry dates
• Poor formatting

A Practical Template

``` [Name] [Phone] | [Email] | [Location]

CERTIFICATIONS IRATA Level 2 — ID: XXXXX — Expires: MM/YYYY GWO Basic Safety Training — Expires: MM/YYYY BOSIET — Expires: MM/YYYY Offshore Medical — Expires: MM/YYYY First Aid — Expires: MM/YYYY

EQUIPMENT OWNED Full IRATA kit: harness, descender, ascenders, ropes, helmet, backup device

TRADE QUALIFICATIONS Coded Welder (EN ISO 9606-1) — Issued: MM/YYYY Painting Inspection (NACE CIP Level 2)

• Blade inspection and minor repairs on North Sea wind farm
• 14/14 rotation, 50+ working days

• Industrial maintenance on refinery structures
• Painting, coating, general rigging

AVAILABILITY Available immediately. Flexible on location and rotation pattern. ```

Adapt this to your situation. Keep it clean, keep it honest.

How to Apply Effectively

Research Before Applying

Don't spray CVs randomly. Research:

• What sectors does the company work in?
• What locations do they operate?
• What's their typical project type?

Tailor your application to match their work.

The Application Message

Keep it short. Employers are busy.

What to Include:

• Your level and key certifications
• Relevant experience (one sentence)
• What you're looking for
• Your availability
• CV attached

Example:

"Hi,

I'm an IRATA Level 2 with GWO certification, currently looking for offshore wind projects. I have 12 months' experience including 6 months on wind turbine maintenance in the North Sea.

Available immediately and flexible on rotation patterns. CV and certs attached.

Happy to provide references or discuss further.

[Your name] [Phone]"

That's it. No life story needed.

Follow Up

If you don't hear back in 7-10 days, a brief follow-up is acceptable:

"Hi, following up on my application from [date]. Still available and interested in opportunities. Happy to discuss."

One follow-up is fine. Multiple is annoying.

Standing Out From Other Candidates

In a competitive market, here's what differentiates candidates:

1. Be Easy to Find

Create a professional profile that employers can search and discover.

• All your certifications (with expiry dates)
• Your equipment
• Your experience
• Your availability

When employers search for "Level 2 with GWO, Netherlands-based, own equipment" — you want to appear.

2. Respond Quickly

When opportunities come, respond fast. Employers often hire the first suitable person who replies. Check your messages and emails regularly.

3. Be Professional in Every Interaction

Every email, call, and job is part of your reputation. Professionalism compounds over time.

4. Keep Certifications Current

Nothing worse than getting an offer and realizing your BOSIET expired last month. Set reminders 3 months before expiry dates.

5. Build Your Network Continuously

• Build relationships with supervisors
• Stay in touch with colleagues
• Keep contact details organized
• Be someone people want to work with again

The best opportunities often come through people who've seen you work.

6. Develop Trade Skills

The rope access market has many Level 2s. Fewer have Level 2 plus coded welding, or Level 2 plus NDT. Invest in skills that make you more valuable.

What Happens After You Apply

Understanding the employer's side helps set expectations.

The Typical Process

1. CV Review — Do you meet the basic requirements?
2. Certification Check — Are your certs current and verifiable?
3. Availability Match — Are you available when they need you?
4. Experience Fit — Do you have relevant experience?
5. Contact — Phone call or message to discuss
6. References (sometimes) — Checking your track record
7. Offer — Rate, dates, logistics

Smaller companies might skip to step 5 quickly. Larger companies or offshore work may have more formal processes.

Timelines

Sometimes fast (call today, start tomorrow), sometimes slow (weeks between application and project start). Project-driven work is inherently unpredictable.

Being on File

Even if there's no immediate work, good applications often get saved for future projects. Being on a company's radar matters.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances

Avoid these:

Expired Certifications Check dates before applying. Nothing looks worse than offering outdated credentials.

Generic Applications "Dear Sir/Madam, I am applying for a position at your company" — sounds like spam. Personalize at least slightly.

Overselling Experience Claiming more than you can deliver backfires quickly. The industry is small.

Poor Communication Slow responses, unclear messages, typos — all create negative impressions.

Not Keeping Records Can't remember where you applied or what you said? Use a system.

Burning Bridges Turning down work rudely, leaving jobs badly, being difficult — this follows you.

Summary: Getting Hired

What employers want:

1. Current certifications (IRATA + relevant supporting certs)
2. Relevant experience for the project
3. Trade skills that add value
4. Own equipment (increasingly)
5. Availability and flexibility
6. Professional, reliable attitude

What you should do:

1. Keep all certs current
2. Build a clear, honest CV
3. Apply directly and through agencies
4. Be discoverable — build your profile
5. Respond quickly when opportunities come
6. Be excellent on every job (reputation matters)
7. Invest in trade skills over time
8. Network continuously

The rope access job market rewards technicians who combine competence with professionalism. Be one of them.

Ready to be discoverable? Join Rope Access Network and create your professional profile. Let employers find you.