Posted By Paul Hay An earlier thread about RSP status got me thinking. My belief is that most (lay)people out there would see a person holing Grad IOSH as exactly that - a graduate or newly qualified person. Because of that, would it potentially harm someones chances of getting a position, gaining promotion etc? I will of (hopefully) completed my level 6 by the end of the year, but would it make sense to refer to myself as a Techie and use the post nominals (although officially I would hold Grad level membership) until after a couple of years when I move to CMIOSH? This is not designed to start the whole TechSP v TechIOSH v CMIOSH debate (again), but is a genuine question. Did IOSH fully consider this when the restructuring happened? Paul

Posted By Alan Hewett Paul, A valid point. I think that it would be down to the perception of employers as to how they would view the membership catagories. The employers perception and understanding of course would in turn would be influenced by the publicity of the catagories and the attributes of the person likley to hold them (ie experienced paractioner gaining higher level qualifiction, new entrant with appropriate qualification gaining relevant experience etc) something in which IOSH could contribute to in awareness raising. Alan

Posted By Raymond Rapp Paul It is an interesting observation and one that I have actually considered when I was freely upgraded from TechSP to Grad OSH (now IOSH). I would have preferred not to have been upgraded and remained as TechSP (now Tech IOSH) because of the potential stigma associated with the term Grad. I was also miffed that I was not given full membership status following my graduation for a MSc in H&S Management but that is another story. However, I have never really experienced any issues with employers and potential employers, although with the latter it may not be known. I have not had any problems gaining employment and to be honest the MSc is a genuine qualification in its own right. I am also currently completing the IPD for full chartered status due at the end of the year and I have has full membership status with IIRSM since gaining my MSc. Regards Ray

Posted By John McFeely I wouldn't worry too much Paul as most employers haven't got a clue to how we are graded and don't really care as long as you have that NEBOSH thingy you'll get the job

Posted By GJB I wouldn't worry too much about it to be honest. I have sales and marketing qualifications, H & S Qualifications, local swimming club, etc. etc. I choose not to print any on my business cards or indeed under my signature... personal preference! My own opinion is 'What does this make me look like'? Generally people aren't too concerned with what qualifications I have in the past... moreso, what I can do for them and there business in the future!

Posted By Ian Mitchell Hi Paul/Folks, I also contributed along similar lines to the RSP thread. Hazel Harvey did indeed say that using TechIOSH during the GradIOSH phase was unlikely to cause a problem. I suggested Gradd(Tech)IOSH and Hazel is raising the possibility (and the wider issues) at the next meeting to canvass an opinion.

Posted By GPat GradIOSH is the next level...what is there to be ashamed of purely because it has the word Grad(uate), which funnily enough doesnt define as 'Student with no experience if you look it up'

Posted By GJB I understand what you mean Paul, Ref: in H & S circles, but only because the industry has made it that way! Who's to say my own BSc (Hons) means anything at all? Incidentally, that was my old life-saving award.. Brentwood Swimming Club (Honours)! Give me a hard-working, conscientous, life-aware person anyday and I'll happily employ them!

Posted By Raymond Rapp Les I thought you meant me. I completed my MSc with Leicester Uni via Distance Learning. However I know they had some difficulties with regards to staffing and I am not sure if they still run the course. Ray

Posted By Hazel Harvey Les, Try Loughborough their course is part distance learning. Contact details are in the list in 'About Membership'. Hazel Harvey Director of Professional Affairs