Siy - this is a good place to start! Have you contacted the NW brach Secretary? Might pay dividends to do so now and build foundations for job searching in the area.

Regarding your last 2 - fantastic opportunity to relate H&S to something you know about so use this in assignmens etc. If you work in the South attend one of the branches there (South Coast/ South Downs, London Met, Thames Valley, South West and South East) - again opportunity knocks and a job might be offered though national organisation networks etc if people get to know you.

You do have one big disadvantage which will not be easy to overcome..............

......... Better to say your from the Navy!


Good luck!
Sailor Steve

Hi Siysixty

First off, you know Army is better, you don't need anyone to tell you otherwise.

Secondly after I left the Army, where I trained as Environmental Health, I still couldn't get a job in the trade right away. Lots of Driving jobs and telesales e.t.c. It's taken me nearly 8 Years to get back into a teaching role. There are plenty of companies out there though that will employ you without THE Diploma, maybe you are just aiming to high on the pay scale. Army H&S is totally different to Civi H&S, so qualifications alone won't get you in the door. Experience will help, try contacting local companies to see if you can get voluntary H&S experience with them. It'll be hard enough with your personal transition into civi life, without worrying about your vocational transition as well.

Well that's my penny's worth of jumbled advice. Hope it helps.

Wazimu mzungu

p.s Deci, You've just gone well down in my estimations.

Hi Siy,

Steve has it on the button re the query about building networks. You have not indicated what particular discipline you are looking for after demob (e.g construction, manufacturing, hospitality etc). It would be worth looking for safety groups in North Wales, including IOSH groups. Try putting ‘Safety Groups’ into a search engine and go from there.

I think the general consensus on employers asking for Diploma level is that they do not always know themselves what is required. You will see some high profile jobs advertised that ask for NEBOSH certificate.

Best of luck in your endeavours.

Wazimu – How about ‘The Military Family’? (Will I go back up in your estimation now)?

I left the RN June 08. Since then I have been made redundant from my first job after only two months and have worked on two six month contracts. I have been unemployed now for three months but I have an interview on Monday, so fingers crossed.
I did the Construction certificate before I left the RN as construction was the big thing at the time. If you are planning on doing H&S when you leave the Army, look at the job you’re doing now and think about how you can transfer those skills into civilian work then aim for that area. I also think you should look into doing an Environmental qualification as this is becoming more relevant in business today.

I have a friend who left the Army last year and also went into H&S, he’s doing pretty well at the moment so if you have any questions drop me an email.

Murray

Once again thank you everyone for the advice,
As far as the Environmental courses are concearned i am currently progressing through my NEBOSH dip with SHEilds (e-learning) and will be doing the EnvDip as part of the package. I was advised to to the Construction courses by a friend working in a Consultancy as there are still many Site audits that have to be carried out each week. I have offered up my services to the H & S team here in Warminster not only to gain experience but to add to my CPD , but as you all say its knowing people in the sector that will help the most.
Murray, Can i ask what field your friend went into and what quals he left the army with?

Will do thanks very much

Siysixty

Colleagues

Does not matter which Branch of the services you are from there are a lot of us out here.

Your Forces background is very valid, just learn to relate what you learned and turn it into "Civvy safety speak". For example I was in the Infantry (and before you wet feet - birds eye viewers and leathernecks have a go PROUD of it (said tongue in cheek I might add)).

The military is not good at admitting that there are some very sound systems of work. For example Infantry Training pamphlets tell us to use the terrain to launch attacks, use flanking movements, use camougflage and other different methods for launching attacks, put in "Civvy terms" dont waste your manpower this is the best way to do it, well in Civvy Terms a good robust safe system of work, infortunately not entirely without risk.

I was in Baco Ratan when the first Anthrax victms became known, everyone panicked about Anthrax, but my secret was that as an NBC defence advisor already knew what to do to mitigate events starting with "If you have suspicions dont open anything leave WELL ALONE".

You could try to approach some Charity Groups and do them some free risk assessments - safe systems of work - or if there are scout groups in your Garrison offer them the same, this way you will build up your experience and also be able document it. It also shows initiative.

Try contacting the N Wales Branch BEDA Dave Phillips - as well as being one of the IOSH mentors (he may have contacts) also try to contact Lawrence Bamber - a very experienced IOSH member who may be able to point you out some useful contacts.

Also there are some good people at Bangor University who may let you do some work for free, (dont want to mention names in case I am accused of name dropping).

Similarly if you are staying in the Army for a while - there are Environmental Health Officers who although predominantly look after EH matters they do get involved in H&S matters contact them and see if they can help. I do have other University contacts from the Army who have direct contact with EH trainers at Keogh, if you want their addresses.

Similarly I presume you have quite a few years under your belt, and have done the BITs course or some other equivalent MoI for example, see your Regimental Quartermaster, and see if he will let you do some Risk or CoSHH assessments, review civilian systems of work, undertake some H&S training, all of which could involve the civilian workers, I did this for the former QLR regiment when Steve Greenwood was their QM, went down well with civvy employers.

If you want some training materials if they let you do it I have loads of resources I can share.

Also your military background will help you to become a good mentor - so consider becoming an IOSH mentor after you have some more experience.

I do remember some where coming across a H&S site secifcally for Brylcream Boys Matelots and us Grunties - if i find it will send you the link.

Good luck with your quest.

Need further help we are here - lots of us.

A Few things in no particular order.
Aim high - the higher the better but be realistic. Get your Dip but until you get some experience under your belt go for the lower paid cert jobs.
Decide what stream you are looking at and focus on it.
As to networks - here is a good start, and as someone mentioned join your local branch.
Get your CV out to as many agencies as physically possible, but don't be dissapointed when you hear nothing.
Use the thing you have bucket loads of, a sense of humour and flexibility
The oil and gas industry is a great place to get into but it really is who you know. I was lucky ex forces medic (left 95 after 12) - went rig medic finally turned H&S - about 4 weeks from my Grad IOSH so it can be done, but there are loads of setbacks along the way. Since moving into HSE I have figured out certainly where oil and gas is concerned its all about who you know. We have guys in my department have been working togehter 20 years or more and they move project to project en masse, so as you've already identified networking is the key.
Finally CV - keep it short and sweet.

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know, pm if you want to expand on anything I've said....
Rgs
Ian

Siy,

Ex-RN, been out a good few years now but my advice, as well as all the good advice posted so far, is to make sure your CV does not contain any Service-Speak, such as "unit senior weapons technician" (as a broad brush example and non-specific). Translate all your service titles and roles into civvy equivalents.

The first couple of CV's I sent out when I left the mob were not totally in civvy terms until a very nice lady at an interview I managed to secure put me right.

I don't know if current resettlement courses stress this enough, if not, they should do.

Good luck for your future.

Hi there,

I am currently serving in the Army, leaving in 4 months as well. Therefore I am seeking a H&S role. I work in Environmental Health and do get involve in Health and Safety as a matter of fact we do get involved in a lot. A previous poster mentioned 'Keogh'. I am one of the Keogh lot.

I dont think H&S in civvy street is not that different from in the military. The military is a multi-facted organisation ( H&S everywhere) . In the LAD, workshops, offices, on the ranges, Cossh stores, even in jungle and outdoor training). Speak to your Qm and SheF advisors they would be more than willing for you to piggyback on their inspections. Thats a valuable way of getting experience.

I would advise you to 'civvy-wise' your CV. Speak with the people from CTP they will point you in the right direction.

Once your CV is done - post it on the various webisites. You will be surprised at the repsonse. I managed to secure an interview that way.