Hodge, I was in the same position as you (Dip Pt1/Ashtray/Motorbike) and plumped for the NVQ option. A lot less stress and I couldn't care less about caps & gowns.

Hi We have held a graduation ceremony for our NVQers, but no other provider wanted to join in when we asked. So really its up to the provider, and then it just comes down to money, as there is more profit in the classroom route than on the one to one NVQ's. A grauduation ceremony takes quite a bit of organising. Regards Linda

Hi, I am doing the NEBOSH Diploma , i have passed Module A and B and sat Module c in January but walked out of the exam half way through because of personnel problems and the threat of redundancy .I have to decide now ,if to carry on with the Diploma and try to do something i want to do or do a job that i dont want to do and will get fed up with . Any advice kind people

smart Keep going with the dip - don't let the threat of redundancy put you down.Learn and move on - there is no job that lasts forever. Its hard to continue under your circumstances, but you have got to keep going for your own career's sake. Unfortunately redundancy almost affects all industries nowadays and you really have to look after your own interests because no one else will. Keep going John

I have completed the SVQ 4 (Scotland) and found it very beneficial, I had previously passed the NEBOSH construction cert which I found to be reasonably hard, I carried out both with NCC-CITB Scotland and their training was VG I also found that the position I had started I would not have been able to go to uni 1 day a week so the SVQ was perfect and I used the creation of a H&S management system for the orginisation as my evidence for my SVQ Would have been nice to get a little more than just a cert thru the door as their were alot of late nights and hard work As for smart you'v started so finish, it will benifit you even if you were to be made redundant Mr H&S

There appears to be a lot of critism of NVQ 4, by the `OLD GUARD` who in my opinion try there`re best to dis-credit NVQ`s. I agree with Matty - the work is based on reality/workplace and not fantasy. It`s been created for those who have to hold down a full-time job. Most importantly, let`s not forget that the individual(s) have to met the PC`s & KC`s 100% to gain this award, and not 60% as is required by most NEBOSH quals`

I went down the NEBOSH route rather than the NVQ Level 4 route primarily due to the fact that NEBOSH Quals are more recognised by employers in the uk, so a better chance to get to interview stages of h&s positions - especially in these difficult times when you could be faced with anything about 50 to 100 people going for one job. Personally it was a decision that I have not regreted since. NVQ Level 4 is equalivalent to the NEBOSH dip however it is a bit more specific to one's own organisation ( so can it be adapatable elsewhere ? in another sector or a business that is more specialised etc ), where as I have always found the NEBOSH dip is a bit more adaptable, interms of obtaining knowledge on how to achieve organisational compliance to recognised health and safety management systems - HSG 65 or ISO18001 and lately ISO 14001. However if you do the NVQ Level 4 you still need to do the open book exam which is administrated by NEBOSH , and that exam is not straightforward by any means judging by past comments on this forum. So you can't escape NEBOSH that easily. John

I think the debate between NVQ and Diploma will rage on no matter what but in essence and lets be pragmatic about this it is about time, money and family commitment to acheive a recognised certificate. We are all professionals and should be glad that each and every one of us choose this proffession that allows not only the well off or have the means to study but also allows the not so well off and lack of time management to attain a well respected qualification. Now we all have to divert our different ways become Chartered Members i beleive should stop the them and us attitude and respect each others hard work to get us where we all want to be and that is Chartered Members. Jurgen

To say that NVQ don't hold awards is wrong as a medal for excellance winner for my NVQ4 Iwas invited to Perth Scotland on the 5th March to accept the award along with my wife and assessor. This was a very worth while afair and I felt great as I had been recognised as only one of three people in Scotland this year to achive this award. We were then invited down to London to the Lion awards on April 12 at the Lancaster this is where all the people who won awards are honoured there were only 88 people in the Uk who won a medal fro excellance out of 2.2 million people who compleated one this year. not a small acivement for the winners! It is then possible to be invited to be awarded by Pronce Philip the patron of city and guilds at Buckingham Palace! The awards are out there you just need to compleate your NVQ to a very high standard and then your assessor needs to send it in to City and Guilds for assessment then in our case on to IOSH for their stamp of approval as to the content etc of the portfolio. No award ceromany? I think so!!!

hi i had the nebosh dip one and then they changed the diploma, so opted for the NVQ4. its not as easy as people make out as requires you to demonstrate that you can do all the things you need to do in safety. i meet people who have the new diploma and they know all the theory but cant implement it . also the same goes for those with the NVQ 4 and no NEBOSH Diploma. by having both i learnt more than I feel I would by just having either. its a good combination.

Very interesting reading this post, I started the Dip a few years ago at a college that does not have the best rep: (cheap course) but regret it and wished I had gone through the NVQ route due to work commitments and time. The Dip is no way easy infact I have been refered twice (once for missing by 2% OUCH) I cant but help to feel the Dip is more like an English exam rather than an exam on your practical abilities to advise in H&S or OH&S and offer solutions (personal view I know) I wont give up however and still have 18 months to finish (you get 5 years to finish) but if it does not work I will take the other route and hopefullly it will be at a college were you do get the cap and gown (lol) but not really a great issue, the end result as rightly said before is the CMIOSH (not on a cottage wall though).

do not hand in your notice but keep the job that you have been offered [ you are very lucky to get an offer] and use it until you get another job; a job that you want - a few months without £ coming in will teach you a lot best of luck