1981miked, on-line where possible and by post, you say you drive an HGV at the moment, what did you do before that, any mechanical or electrical or hydraulic skills, fixing tractors, heavy machinery, generators, pumps, trucks, cars etc.
Subsea construction from vessels have a varied base of positions from deck riggers through to offshore construction managers.
Yes all those companies take on non graduates, most of the time it is luck, if you send in your CV at the correct time and they have just landed a huge contract they will no doubt be looking for lots of people and if your CV has just landed on HR’s desk you have a chance of getting a phone call, perseverance pays off in the offshore game.