Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Paul T9
After some advice here, at present I'm in full time employment (so not job hunting just yet) but I am hoping to start a new career in health and safety. Now I already hold my NGC but I have self funded for my Diploma (Unit A due in January so still early days). The problem is my background and what area of health and safety to go into.
Background is as a firefighter both for the RAF and now with a company as a contract firefighter for the last 26 years. This of course means I have no real experience in certain areas of the health and safety profession (e.g. Construction, manufacturing, etc.). I do have many skills and do excel in IT as I develop and design databases and spreadsheets (I've noticed a few of the professionals moaning about some of the health and safety software available at least I will be able to tailor mine - well that's the idea) which my company certainly take advantage of, but I can not, do not want to go down the IT career path as it is all self taught.
So what area of health and safety do I look at? As looking at many job adverts they want experience in certain areas, which of course fire fighting is not normally one of them. Any advice is more then welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Kevin Roper
Paul,
You could specialise in the aviation side of our profession (i.e. working at airports, for the airlines etc).
Like you, i'm ex RAF (Mechanical Transport Driver) and now currently working as a Safety manager at a Major London airport. I have built up most of my H & S experience whilst undertaking my current role.
Regards
Kevin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul T9
Hi Kevin,
I had thought of something along those lines but unfortunately I live in Lincolnshire and is not exactly a good area (military airfields yes, civil no - well only small ones) but I had already considered the possibility of relocating and the various difficulties involved in that option. Although to be honest if the job is worth it I'm always willing to move, done that often enough in the RAF as I'm sure you know.
Excellent advice and certainly one of interest to me.
Thanks
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By SNS
Hi Paul,
Also ex-RAF (Armourer). Now H&S for a shipyard, not so different - engineering etc etc. You may be able to specialise (if you so wished:) ) in the fire aspect, with your CV and experience if you added the NEBOSH Fire cert there is probably a market for a fire specialist in the Lincs area, many SME's do not have the expertise to carry out fire risk assessments and keep the appropriate records. Local authorities no longer issue fire certificates so its a company responsibility.
Also starting the diploma in january ...
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Jim T
Paul
Have you thought about the oil & gas industries?
Your knowledge and know how as a fully trained and experienced Firefighter may stand you in good order for an Emergency Response/Training job?
Not too sure how far away you are from Norwich, but there is an oil industry training facility called "Petans" there. They are always on the look out for staff to help run courses.
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul T9
Hi SNS,
Looked at that side of things previously as I used to train 2000+ personnel a year both military and civilian also did the some instructing (breathing apparatus, hot dirty work but fun). I have known a few colleagues try their hand at it and have failed because they could not get a client base established but that was before the reform act. That's part of the reason I took the Nebosh as it gave me more scope but it may be worth a look.
Thanks SNS and best of luck with the diploma
Hi Jim
Interesting, I've just had a look at their web page it certainly looks like I may have some of the skills they need. I wasn't looking for a job yet as I wanted my diploma first but I'm tempted to send a CV (As you can see from my response to SNS I'm no stranger to being an instructor).
Thanks
Regards to you both for the advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By PhilP Morning Paul Your initial query doesn’t really state if you are still an active fire fighter with the mentioned company and I don't know if you are looking for a total escape from the services. But have you spoken to the unit safety adviser about a position as an MOD civilian adviser (if you are still able to), or how about speaking to your local council. There is a lot of emphasis on fire these days in local government (schools especially) now the RRFSO is being enforced by the fire service. Both of these routes will utilise the skills you have (fire & training) while gradually introducing you the various other skills/subjects you will need to expand your experience. Lastly not wanting to teach you to suck eggs have a look on www.shp4jobs.co.uk one of the main adverts at the moment is a regional fire service looking for an adviser, also if you look at the agencies that advertise on there, some of them have fire related positions available. I have worked for the both the MOD and in local government so feel free to contact me directly if you want more info. Philip
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul T9
Hi Philip,
I'm ex RAF but on leaving was offered a job as a fire fighter for a company that works under contract to the RAF. Don't get me wrong I like being a fire fighter but I'm not getting any younger and upwards mobility in this company is dead man's shoes. I'm also very good at organising and planning (set up all the shift rosters, continuation training programme, rewrote the section instruction book, set up VIQ database for the contract manager and at present designing Administrative database for the contract to use for the KPI) and the company and management make full use of my talents (but don't like paying for it).
All self taught so nothing on paper hence why I started the diploma and the other advantage is that I have the time to study as a shift worker (New years eve and on night shift plenty of study time unless there's an emergency). I also act as the Health and Safety rep for the fire station and personally compiled every risk assessment (aircraft crash was a hard one to write, the dynamics involved in that one) to all the COSHH and others. At least with the health and safety I have something tangible (i.e. I hold a NGC so you know I can carry out a risk assessment) whereas the other stuff I do has no benchmark and may be all very basic programmes (they're not, one manager breaks out in a cold sweat when I talk about leaving).
I have tried for other jobs but got nowhere, so decided to dedicate myself to achieving the diploma as this must be a big plus on any CV.
Thanks Philip and I asked for advice so eggs no issue with me, I wanted food for thought and got just that.
To all have a Happy New Year (And to the moderators whom may be monitoring this cold last night of the year)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Decimomal
Hi Paul and a Happy New Year.
Also ex RAF (Comulsory redundancy in 1996 after 23 years).
Try to get some advice from reputable agencies - get hold of the HS Practitioner magazine. The opportunities are there, you just have to be persistent.
I struggled when I first left the RAF but put myself through the certificate and Diploma 1 and after a few false starts got there in the end.
I am now fortuante enough to have an emploer whi is funding the full Diploma.Next exam in 19 days!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.