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Posted By davidb2959
On leaving the forces after 23 years I embarked on an journey to retrain myself, but in what? The advice I was given was to give NEBOSH a try, apparently i have been working within H&S for the last 23 years, although, not directly or knowledge of what i was doing.
Another piece of advice I had was "don't worry about leaving, civvies (that's me now) love squaddies, so you will always find a job", I was so gullible to believe that, You really do need to laugh.
I searched the Internet for H&S vacancies and found hundreds and nearly as many H&S recruitment agencies. With my mind now settled, NEBOSH it was, Gen Cert, Construction (CDM 2007) and Fire & Safety Cert. Now that i have all these and a pretty good CV, do i have a job? No! Why? Because my second piece of advice was way off the mark. After all, my working knowledge of CDM (at the time) was erecting perimeter fences in really hot, dusty countries or digging holes to specification to be used either for taking cover or latrines (not together).
So it looks like i will be unemployed for the foreseeable future. So staying Pro-active I wish to further my eduction/training and am looking at NEBOSH National Diploma or Environmental.
But which one will give me the best employable status. Would appreciate all advice.
many thanks
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Posted By Southerner
Qualifications do not mean a lot without experience to back them up.
I imagine coming out of the army after 23 years that you were a reasonable salary? So are perhaps setting your sights (excuse the pun) to high initially!
You will have to start at entry level like the rest of us had to .........£18k - £24k....and there is a lot of people after those positions now is not a good time to be getting into health & safety......let alone anything to do with construction.
Most people are trying to get out.....myself included.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By davidb2959
Ouch! was that a kick ha ha. Trying to stay cheerful.
I have H&S experiencein COSHH, Loler, Puwer, working at heights etc but not in CDM duties. I am staying positive as i believe there is a role for me out there, but where? As for the money, i have been told on numerous occasions that i need to lower my sights, this is good advice and i have done so as i also have a pretty good monthly pension to support a bottom end wage.
Finally, 23 years ago in Bordon, Hants doing basic trade training, i came across a crusty old Sergeant on duty. His advice was for me to leave the forces and go back into civvie street as he was getting out saying the Army and claimed the Army cr*p. 23 years later, a fantastic pay packet, not too bad a pension, nice uniform and 23 years of "Life".
Anyway, which diploma would suit me?
many thanks
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Posted By John Fraser
Davidb2959
You should initially contact your local IOSH branch to network, see if there are any opportunities. If you do manage to find a placement, then I would advise you do the NEBOSH Dip distance learning as it gives you the flexibility to look for further work if your initial assignment finishes up whilst studying the NEBOSH Dip at the same time. NEBOSH Dip distance learning is very tough, but achievable and it will give you a head start on many other candidates who have similar quals due to this being the most qouated qual to date. This will give you grad iosh status if you complete it successfully although you will need to be in h & s work to complete Unit D.
NEBOSH Environmental Dip is a good qual - but you will need experience of looking at implementing environmental management systems in any work assignments you are involved in.
Good Luck in your quest.
John
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Posted By Stuart Wood
David
I too had the same problem 4 1/2 years ago, leaving the army after 22yrs. I did manage though to get a job starting at the bottom and have now worked my way up to be a health & safety adviser. I did the NEBOSH Cert then progressed onto the Safety Health & Environmental Management Diploma course at Nottingham Trent Uni, day release for a year, hard work but worthwhile in the end.
Good Luck
Stuart
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Posted By mikeflannery
Hi, You didn't mention what areas of work you did whilst in the services. Was it in logistics, training, etc. These are the areas where you are more likely to find the career you're looking for. It's not realistic to go directly from one field into a fairly high level in another unless you have some transferable skills such as man-management, logistics, training or the like around which you can build a career.
What anyone wishing to help you would need to know is what other skills you have available around which you can build. The other element that is missing is why you want to be involved in health and safety? If you use any coaching GROW model ([G]oal, [R]eality check, [O]ptions and [W]illingness to undertake the work needed)then you need to clearly identify the goal you are working towards and more importantly, exactly why you want it. When you have done this, then you can start looking in-depth at how you can achieve it. Hope this helps.
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