I don’t want to be all doom and gloom but the current climate has been harsh for everyone. I’ve been in this profession for the better part of 20years and my order book is empty? I have colleagues that have decades of experience and qualifications to match and are not even getting interviews. I’ve had calls from Chartered Practitioners who have taken up very low paid jobs outside of the health and safety field as temporary measures as they are unable to get jobs in their chosen profession. It’s not just new people coming into health and safety, its everyone. It will pick up it’s just a question of when. Of course some jobs are coming through, but from the feedback I’ve had many applicants are going for each of them. Other issues have been jobs advertised that seem to disappear i.e. the employers are putting them on hold, which is frustrating for everyone. But you can still do lots of things to get yourself on the first rung of the ladder. Join your local IOSH branch and network yourself. If you have an idea which industry you want to get into, send out speculative CV’s to them. You can also speak/contact their in-house safety departments and ask about a short placement. This will give you some extra experience and demonstrate your commitment. Good Luck.

Freelance, nothing happening over here either in Ireland.

Hi I may have a placement opportunity but it is in Birmingham. Sadly I seem to be having a battle with the moderators about whether I can share this chance with fellow forum users. However if you're interested the placement is for 6 - 12 month basis helping out with HS&E projects e.g. creation of tool box talk DVD's, HAVS assessments etc. as well as generalist HS&E work. Please PM me your CV and I'll pass it on. PS - I don't think you've made a bad chose in your career - getting the qualification is only part of the challenge, getting the experience is difficult too (just keep at it).

Hello RJB, I am interested in yiur placement opportunity. Can you please send me your email address in my inbox or at :apau_rnst@yahoo.co.uk, for me to send you my cv. Thanks

The problem over in Ireland, Ernest, is that companies are now offering off the shelf safety statements for €115 (approx £95) each and that sporting organisations are offering fill in the blanks for their affiliated clubs and no one is saying anything from the statutory enforcement bodies. Yet again, it will take a fatality involving a child to watch all the politicians running to get their sound bite and call for stricter regulation and then the matter will go off the radar until the next time. I would advise anyone in Ireland considering a role in H&S and starting out, not to even think about it.

Getting work is tough for everyone at the moment even those of us who are CMIOSH. I've had to accept contract work that means a 126 mile round trip every day and a drop in wages just because there is no local work and I need to earn something (luckily I'm actually enjoying the work as it;s different from what I normally do). Personally I wouldn't recommend anyone to come into this profession but then I'm seriously disillusioned with the profession so I should just be ignored!! ;-)

The current market as previously discussed is quiet, like most took a position that did not pay well and doing part time consultancy to try and boost it. CMIOSH with loads of qualifications and experience and some phone calls from agencies with packages on offer have seemed like an insult. Had two interviews both through to last stages and a 50% chance of success but no joy as of yet. Keep your head up, keep trying and as other posts have mentioned send your CV out as much as possible, tweak your CV to create 2 or 3 if you have different areas of experience i.e. I have construction and also corporate so my is in two formats exactly the same information in it but wording and emphasis different dependant on position applying for to make it more suited.

These are dificult times alright and I sympathise with those seeking a first start or who may be experienced but out of work. The employer has the upper hand and don't they know it! However, I have seen a few recessions come and go (hopefully my last in my working life) and the balance will tip towards the employee eventually. Health and safety over the last decade or so has seen a large influx of people coming into the industry. Perhaps the bubble has burst? Various training and academic institutions have been milking the need for h&s people during this same period. I think environmental issues will be the big thing for the foreseeable future. Ray

Don't worry I will not be doing any more courses and definately not environmental. I have spent the best part of ten years gaining qualifications...it's time to sit back and smell the roses.

......and for further evidence of industry 'saturation' just look at the job adverts in the latest SHP - more life in my vest!

Hi Ernest, I was passed your CV by my Group Manager earlier this week, I work as a SHE Manager for a large food manufacturing company in NW London and may be able to help you with some work expirence (I could use the help if I'm honest!) Unfortunatly I'm off on holiday for 2 weeks from today and then on a weeks lead auditor training - reply to this post if you would be interested in some work expirence and if so I will contact you upon my retrun to the business (1st week in September) Hope we can help. Regards Paul