Posted By maxmillan maddy
Hi Guys

I am in a dilemma at moment. Is it possible to get your foot in the health and safety industry without experience? The fact of the matter is most of the jobs advertised on the shp websites are looking for experienced,highly qualified, competent individuals. The fact of the matter is, you have to have experience to be competent in the health and safety industry. So how can you gain that competency if you have no experience?
Any chance for we the new starters? If there is where do we start from to get our foot in the door.

Thanks

Posted By Gordon P
Interesting question MM,

The main point to remember is we all started somewhere.
Voluntary work is a good way in sometimes.

As Reg 7 of the Management Regs states that any H&S bod has to be competent, then you're probably looking at assisting to begin with to build your experiance.

Also look for roles in your current job. Maybe get onto the Safety Committee or see who does your risk assessments and ask if you can help next time they are reviewed.

Hope this helps.

Posted By mark26
This has to be the hardest industry to get a break in it took me a year to get my first start i offered to work as a volunteer at first then was offered the position unfortunaltley i have only been with the company six months and they have become really quiet and havent enough work to keep me going through no fault of my own im back in the same position as before sending hundreds of c.v off and hearing nothing you just have to keep trying and stay positive you arent on your own

Posted By Simo 79
MM,

Don't give up, i found my first position through this forum and a HS manager who was willing to give me a chance. A short contract role to start with then managed to get a permanent job within manufacturing. Now contracting again. Make sure you come across positively on your Cv and if you get an interview concentrate on what you can do not what you can't. The things you know nothing about you can learn about quickly.

good luck and don't give up

Simo

Posted By Sue hogan
I have managed to make some very useful contacts from the forum and have received a lot of work after putting my details on the career forum.

Why not add your details with a little more information and that will give others a chamce to contact you.

Posted By steve grimes
I would rather employ someone keen to learn than one of the think they know it alls, and there are so many. I do so love reading some replies if you get my drift

Posted By DP
Along with all other advice you take on board keep posting your availability on here - I can assure you perspective employers do keep an eye on the forum, it’s the keenness and attitude they want. If you have this they'll put you through the qualifications and ensure you get the right experience you need.

It’s a really bad time to be seeking employment and that’s not just in safety - we have all seen the news and such. Many safety people with all the qualifications and masses of experience are currently looking for work.

I would have to say that new starter positions are near non existent in the current climate. Please somebody tell me I'm wrong?

Just weather the storm, I know that’s not easy, keep trying and the opportunity will come along.

For what its worth I'll tell you a true tale - I read / bourse these forums just about every day and there was a young girl with a cert and no experience who constantly posted on here just asking for a chance to prove herself. It really impressed me and I thought if I ever need anyone! I did and she has now been working for me for 6 months and she's doing a great job.

Posted By CFT
oolerness

Yes if you are very fortunate. 2k is expensive for the NGC or similar - try your local college for a figure nearer £850.

Experience is of course legion; but I know the 'chicken & the egg' arguement and it is is a tough call.

CFT

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www.hsepeople.com is the first website of its kind. A Social Networking site aimed specifically at Health and Safety People in all industries world wide. In Health and Safety the sharing of Information, Lessons Learned and best practise is very important. [reference removed] brings everything safety together in one place and makes it very easy to communicate with other HSE Professionals, Agencies, Companies, Suppliers, Trainers and Consultants.

Only 2 months old but with almost 1000 members and more joining every day, [reference removed] is a not for profit community site that aims to be a one stop shop for anyone working in HSE. On [reference removed] you can create a profile freely advertising your services and availability, Chat instantly with other members through the sites instant messenger or through the discussion forums. With hundreds of HSE jobs being listed from around the world on the RSS Feeds or from the many big agencies posting on the forums [reference removed] has more HSE Jobs than any other site on the Net.

Create a blog and let other keep up to date with what you are doing. If it is of interest to the community post it to the site magazine. [reference removed] also gives members the ability to create and manage their own group specific to whatever topic they choose and many agencies are taking advantage of this feature to create jobs groups.

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www.hsepeople.com