Posted By Paul Foulkes How do you get a job in Health & Safety? I passed NEBOSH Dip. 1 this year and hold TechSP, but my current employment as a workplace trainer does not provide enough exposure to H&S issues and therefore my experience is limited. Now on Dip. 2 (all self financed), I expected to get a job without too much difficulty but it is difficult to be convincing at interview when most of your knowledge is curricular rather than experiencial. I plan to do the CIEH Train the Trainer course in the new year, but since I work full time (no day release) this may just be an extra burden that brings no significant benefit. Self employment is a consideration,(I have twenty years experience in various businesses) but prospective clients would want to see a track record. My employer is not interested in my studies and goals, and has made it clear that my qualifications will not lead to suitable role at that site. Money is not the driving force for me, so if anyone has an opening for a well qualified 'trainee' or any advice I am all ears. Paul Foulkes.

Posted By Michael Miller Well disapointed fellow would be safety pro's I have held the NEBOSH gen cert for 3 years. One year later I embarked on the NTU diploma (all self funded)and I only have one module left to complete. I have over 30 years experience in construction/building maintenance supervisory management. To date I have applied for over 25 jobs and have had one interview. I lost that one to an internal safety rep? (you work it out!) Sorry I cannot help you but as I have said before many times (its the old chicken & egg syndrome) No experience, no job- no job no experience. All the vacancies advertised now ask for at least 2-5 years post experience. I have a theory that something has to change soon as the current safety profesionals are fast becoming an aging population! Every month in the SHP publication there must be at least 150 + jobs all chasing people with vast ammounts of experience. If industry, consultants and agencies do not invest in, and constantly ignore those who have not only self funded the required qualifications but have put personal lives on back burner for 3 years, Then there will be a situation similar to the construction industry where all have lost interest and trained for something else. Good luck with the job search PS try volunteer work schools, charities etc, this might help in the long run. Mike

Posted By Diane Thomason I really do sympathise with your problem but it it possible to overcome this. Michael says "All the vacancies advertised now ask for at least 2-5 years post experience" - I disagree; I have seen ads for assistant safety officers that need less qualifications and experience (they are generally not well paid of course.) The last time I was job-searching after redundancy, I applied in total for about 80 jobs, and was interviewed for about 7 of them, before I landed a good job. You just have to persevere, and concentrate on applying for the jobs you know you are really suitable for. Best of luck and I hope you soon get away from your unsupportive employer. Good jobs do come up, you are obviously committed so in time you will get one. Diane

Posted By Chris Abbott I agree.. I landed a job as a Safety Advisor with same Quals as people above - this I did by bombarding agencies online, (e-mail 50 a day, phoning agency's) Being prepared to take a drop in salary was a huge advantage - and being able to start quickly is also very good advantage - but keep at it. www.sypol.co.uk www.principal-people.co.uk These were good - I got the Job through Principal agency, these seem to me to be the most professional of the lot - but keep at it.. It's the constant bombardment that keeps you in the minds of the agency staff... I did this solidly for 6 weeks, and they got so feed up with me, they put me forward for all the jobs. Check your CV as well. For example, I found that I had skirted over some of my real skills, in favour of Qualifications, make sure ANY experience you have has the relevant Health & Safety angle. Hope this helps Chris

Posted By Richard Pigg Chris' advice is bang on - qualifications are useful but the first thing that is looked at on your CV is the duties of your last 2 roles. Richard Pigg Senior Consultant Review H&S Recruitment

Posted By Vince Craze Paul, Give me call on 07773 844145 Vince

Posted By Paul King Paul, As a leading health and safety consultancy we have a graduate level entry programme which enables health and safety professionals with qualifications an opportunity to gain relevant experience. For an informal discussion please feel free to contact me on 020 7422 4111, or email paulking@arkhealth-safety.bdx.co.uk