Posted By Trevor Pierce As readers of my past threads will know, I am a 48 yr old graduate, a qualified Manual Handling Trainer, and have recently taken NEBOSH Construction Certificate (awaiting results) but still cannot get the employment to get the experience. They say that ageism does not exist, but I living proof that it does! Can any members advise on how I get the employment I desperately seek or any comments on the ageism aspects of this. I have tried all the agencies, with no response, and people have sent me e-mails about jobs, but when they realise my age, and lack of experience they are not interested. Please restore my faith in mankind, by practical help and suggestions. Trevor Pierce.

Posted By Geoff Burt Trevor There is a risk I'm going to appear to be very negative here and most likely get some flak, but if you want an honest answer here goes. First you don't say what experience you have - is any of it in H&S? if not then why would an employer take you on at whatever age. Second - is being a graduate an advantage in getting a job at the age of 48. I would imagine any job offer, if you lack experience, would be at a low level and a degree, if they think about it at all, might be a disadvantage from an employer point of view. Thirdly, a 4 or 5 day course to be a trained manual handling trainer is just that - a 4 or 5 day course. And last, you have taken a construction course but you haven't yet got the result! I can see a potential employers point of view and to my mind age doesn't come into it. On a positive note, and if you are able to, I would suggest you tout around for some part time consultancy work with a friendly local H&S consultancy to gain the experience you need to compete for H&S posts. In my experience age is a positive factor in H&S jobs - but it must be accompanied by experience, the right attitude and a willingness to learn new tricks. Geoff

Posted By Raymond Rapp I have to say that I agree with Geoff's assertions. A prospective employer would be interested in experience (ok, we all have to start somewhere) and qualifications. If you are a bit 'thin' in both departments then a decent job will be difficult to find. I am not trying to be clever because I too am in a similar position, or was, but decided to take a MSc degree in h&s. If you are serious about a career in safety, I would recommend looking at gaining a meaningful qualification. You can't get a degree in experience but you can in health and safety. Good luck. Ray

Posted By Ian Jones I was under the impression that the NTU diploma Equivalent to the nebosh diploma while not a degree was a good starting point i am looking for an assistant level of position to get started with

Posted By Trevor Pierce To the respondee's to TREVOR'S thread please see Age Concerned 2 Trevor

Posted By Stuart Nagle Trevor. I would like to take a more positive view with your age. at 48 I would say you have a wealth of experience, it mearly needs to be applied with the highly developed and obvious talent you possess. I am 45 going on 46 and although I have not been in health and safety all my life, I have sure had to practice it for most of my working life. All I have done is temper that working experience with knowledge, which it apears you have done also. Don't despare, try to develop this method of thinking into your applications and I am sure you achieve a result.... Good luck and keep at it...