Posted By Charlie McLaughlin
I am greatly concerned over the blatant highway robbery that is currently taking place in the UK Occupational Health and Safety Training market. A training organisation recently quoted me £6300 for the NEBOSH Level 4 Diploma........(splutter/cough!!!!!!)...who can afford this, no doubt companies/organisations with the financial resources to send thier staff will be able to afford these costs, but what about 'Joe Public' or organsiations that don't have the access to massive training budgets.

It is a worrying trend which I don't see slowing down and I would like to see training organisations that supply NEBOSH/IOSH named courses regulated by NEBOSH/IOSH, so that these courses are afforable to all and to not just to the 'super-rich'.

Posted By Adrian Clifton
I fully agree that fees charged are extremely high for the majority of "Joe Public". Many of the students on these courses are looking to improve their prospects and salaries to a level that would allow them access to these courses.
As soon as Health and Safety is mentioned, prices for everything rise alarmingly.
Do not, however, be totally disheartened. There are other providers of education equivalent to the NEBOSH Diploma(s). The Nottingham Trent University SHE Management Diploma is around half the price you quote. I am sure there are many others up and down the country who are extremely willing to provide all comers with a sound and Nationally recognised qualification for less money. Like buying a car,you need to shop around a bit and identify best value for your money. Make sure the course and provider are acceptable in the eyes of IOSH.

Adrian

Posted By Lewis T Roberts
The level of fees for training can be, for what may be poor service, robbery. I have been quoted

''prices start from as little as £458:00'' for a days course in qaulity systems and events.

I have paid for a 2 day course from a so called reputable company for appointed person lifting operations and to be frank very poor for any price but our Clients requirements were certificated individuals.

They apparently get it or they wouldn't be trying it on.

Lew

Posted By Stuart Nagle
For all those suffering from the costs, did you know you can buy the NVQ4 National Occupational Standards on CD from the NTO For Employment over their web site (Costs about £30.00 - I have one).

This disk contains: The Catalogue of units, Qualification Structure, Assessment Strategy, Key & Core Skill Signposting and 'You and Your Business - Health and Safety Search Feature.

Once in possession of this you could in effect register direct with the qualification body and undertake the NVQ4

For support you will most likely need another person who has already done the NVQ4 successfully and a 'mentor', perhaps a senior local IOSH member, someone prepared to help...

I have not fully explored this avenue myself yet, but it may have merits for those who do and the possibility of saving a small fortune.

Remember though that accrediation will need to be done by a qualified assessor, but who knows, maybe you can find one or two of those in IOSH too who are not mercinaries...and are willing to offer support and knowledge to those striving to attain what they so eagerly seek to exstol

Stuart

Posted By Peter Longworth
I'm doing my level 4 diploma at Bolton Institute. The price is £2450 which is the cheapest that I have found.

Posted By J Knight
I paid £645 for Part II Diploma in 2000; this was at Worksop College. At the time I could have paid £3,995 plus VAT if I had wanted to.

The more expensive courses do tend to be run over a shorter time; my course took one full academic year, a 'private' course would have taken as little as four weeks. In some ways this is how companies justify the higher cost, more cash up front, less down-time for the safety professional. However, this is not relavnt to self-financers looking to break into the wonderful world of H&S,

John