Damian

I am confused are you trying to break into a health and safety role or are you trying to craft a new career in a different work environment??

It seems you have a wealth of experience but just starting out on gaining a recognised qualification

Damian

If its a case of coming out of your role to gain the diploma and trying to keep your experience topped up by doing voluntary work/part time then I would draft a generic letter explaining what you want and what you are trying to achieve and send to your local council/local roofing contractors etc.

there will be someone who would want to use part time/free safety coverage.

Simon

If you're after leads on volunteer work then posting the area yoiu live in would help.

As Claire said.. where are you based?

Hello Luke

Based in Greater Manchester (Wigan to be Precise) do you know of any organisation willing to offer part time/temporary opportunities which could perhaps further my experience.

Many Thanks,

Damian

Hello Alan

I wanted to fast track a way into health and safety employment so as a whole I honestly thought the general certificate would be the correct route to take due to its "general" diversity rather than one particular field of expertise. Once successful achievement of the general certificate had been obtained then I honestly thought that a direct route into health and safety employment was to engage in the diploma or a higher qualification.

My plan is to better my experience whilst in a work place/ learning environment whilst undertaking the diploma.

I must admit, it is one giant leap from the general certificate to the diploma and reading on from another forum there is a raging debate on the whether obtaining the general certificate is sufficient to consider oneself as a health and safety professional (please I do want to start another debate on the intricacy of the general certificate there are other forums for that!!).
However saying that there are plenty of employers out there only requiring only General Certificate accreditation to join there establishment for which I am prepared to say I may have jumped the gun with the diploma, albeit I have now stumped up in the order of approx £2300.00 to take the diploma which incidentally I am funding myself which I must add my former employer was reluctant to contribute to, so unfortunately for myself its head down, self discipline and self belief that passing the diploma will hopefully lead to pastures new.

Could you please keep all comments to a more professional level, I thought the idea of having discussion forums was to pass on valid and informative thoughts based ideas on topical issues and themes; not to mock other forum users comments, I for one would be discouraged from offering any form of advice knowing full well I may be subject to ridicule.

Many Thanks

Damian

Hello Damian

Like you I first took the NGC but this was a back in 2004 but stayed in my present trade working as a health and safety representative. In 2008 I decided that I would start to look into taking health and safety on as a full time career, so decided to take on the diploma (like you my company was no help and also self funded a distance learning course). It was also at this time I joined IOSH as a Technician.

This year I now hold the diploma and Graduate membership and now working my way to CMIOSH. Still in the same job, still looking for that break, don’t get me wrong I focused on my studies rather then job hunting and now the market has turned difficult. That’s life. Still working my way and have also started to help as a volunteer with a charity to build up my experience (like I said my employer is not very helpful).

It’s been hard work but worth the effort in my opinion.