Posted By Andrew Rushton Peter, The criteria for being allowed on to an NVQ4 is that you should be working in an environment with Complex risks. If an assessor does not think you you have the correct exposure, you will not be allowed on the course. As for the benefits. If you want to hands on manage health & safety take the NVQ. If you want to sit in an ivory tower and spout legislation do the diploma. The NVQ is based on applying as you learn. As I am sure you are aware, the diploma is more academic than practical. I was in the same position as you a while ago after completing the NEBOSH certificate. As I was already managing health & safety in a multiple complex risk environment, I chose the NVQ route. As for job opportunities, I have no problems getting interviews for consultancy or management roles. Just problems finding a significantly better salary than the one I've got. Hope this helps, Andy

Posted By gaz Peter I was in a similar postion as yourself i.e. whether to take the NEBOSH Diploma or NVQ route. I am very aware that a lot of employers (and fellow Safety Practioners) view the NEBOSH Diploma as a higher level of qualification than the NVQ. I personaly chose the NVQ Level 4 for the following reasons. Cost benefits, time, examination "Phobia" (i have a intense loathing of any sort of exam), benefits to my employer (i.e. implementing policys and procedurers to meet the units required), ability to join as a memeber of IOSH, method of testing i.e. through your portfolio and informal questioning by your assessor. I done my reasrch for both the NEBOSH Diploma Part 2 and the NVQ Level 4 and it is intresting to learn that the domain knoweledge required for both is exactly the SAME. As someone else rightly states someone who passes the Diploma is more likely to quote chapter and verse the regulatry components to any H&S problem encountered in the workplace, does that make them a better safety practioner than someone who (by completing a porfolio)has proved that they have already encountered the problem and done something about it? Like you stated at the start of the thread it is not about which is the better qualification debate. The most important considerastion is NVQ is better for me but if the NEBOSH Diploma is better for you (or anyone else) than go that way. Whatever way you go then good luck. Gaz

Posted By Gavin Gibson Peter Seperate from the love / hate spat of NVQ V Diploma is the key issue, what is best for you? Do you prefer block leave courses and exams, as opposed to assessed course work. Can you manage your work commitments and take time out? I have recently put two of my staff through to MIOSH status, 1 via NVQ and 1 via the diploma route. Most adverts quote a Diploma because that is all that the HR person has read in other adverts - a self-purpetuating issue. As long as you obtain your MIOSH status, nobody will really care how you got there. Regards

Posted By Hilary Charlton I think one of the other respondees made a very good case - you have to be working in an environment in which there are complex risks in order to be able to get on the NVQ4 in the first place - it's not an option that is open to everyone. I took the NVQ4 because of family and work commitments, cost, a basic fear of examinations and because I work in mechanical engineering which is considered high risk and complex so I was able to. That is not to say there is anything wrong with the Diploma, there is nothing wrong with either method of achieving MIOSH and although a lot of adverts ask for the NEBOSH Diploma, an awful lot of them now ask for "or equivalent" as well. At the end of the day, only you know what will suit you. They are both worthwhile qualifications, each has its own particular strengths and weaknesses and these should be weighed up against your personal circumstances to see which will suit you best. Hilary

Posted By Peter Lee Thank you all for your comments pretty much as expected. I know its horses for courses, I passed NEBOSH Diploma Part 1 first time by some miracle, I hate exams and I struggle with assignments, they take me a lot longer than the suggested five hours but having said that I got an A, two B's and two C's for the five. I think a logical progression would be NEBOSH Diploma Part 2 as I do not work in a high risk environment which is required for NVQ4. Once again thanks to you all, I think the crux of the matter is that its MIOSH I need but NEBOSH is the motre recognised method. Kind Regards Peter.

Posted By Jonny I have seen job adverts in SHP asking for MIOSH by examination....does that apply to NVQ or Diploma 2 or to both methods of obtaining MIOSH. No use obtaining MIOSH by the wrong route, surely you are limiting your job opportunities.

Posted By Nick Higginson I don't think it is accurate to say that anyone who doesn't have RSP is not competent. What about people who have achieved MIOSH, are undertaking CPD, but do not have the requisite 3 years post-qualification experience to get RSP? Nick

Posted By Nick Higginson Jack You didn't write it, but certainly implied it. Theoretically they could have 30 years experience, yet only 2 years of post qualification experience. Competent or not? Regards Nick