I did my NEBOSH general and passed with credit (yippee for me) this February. I'm currently doing the Professional Diploma in Safety, Health and Environmental Management Full time and I started this on 05 October. (both courses have been self-funded). This qualification will lead to Grad status, which means I will have to do IPD, which I see needs an additional £120.00. That is ok except... I don't work in a H&S role so don't have experience in H&S as such. I come from an Insurance background (in another country but same principles apply) and want to get into H&S but on the management side as I don't have an Engineering degree or background nor chemical or manufacturing. My dilemma is this. What should I do re: work? Where can I go to get the experience I need and want? I wouldn't be able to complete IPD without this. I am 48 with no children/childcare commitments so, although new to H&S, not new to work. As shops and offices tend to have H&S personnel already (it's usually lumped onto their other duties) and 80% of Entrepreneurs are one man bands, this leaves large employers. Most, who have a need for a H&S person, employ those with the backgrounds I've already mentioned or expect years of experience, neither of which I have. Can I expect help with my IPD from IOSH with regard to mentoring, if so, what would they expect from me in terms of real world experience, and where would I get it from? I really wish I'd known all this before doing my NEBOSH. Saying that, I'm very determined and 100% passionate about H&S. Lastly, it's been suggested that I do voluntary CPD for my course work, but would like some guidance on what would be appropriate to log, and would this count towards my IPD?

I dont think thier is any reason why you couldn't develop you carreer in health and safety. Within your own work place develop ideas and initiatives on the basis of your new found experience, but dont try to push it down peoples throats. Talk to your management and "Suggest" areas that could be improved to your companies benefit.

A possible starting point might be doing a couple of hours unpaid work once or twice a week for a large employer such as a local authority. I would also suggest that you get along to your local Branch meetings and ask if they could advise you. I got a lot of support from members in the Trent Valley branch when I was branching out into a new area.

if youi have the general certificate then this is will often be enough to get a position with in a H&S role so maybe look at jobs within h&S and i would pu the diploma on hold as far as i was aware you would need to be in a full time H&S position to be able to complete the diploma or at least it is of massive benefit. may look at undertaking shorter courses that either NEBOSH offer like fire safety or construction or courses run by other organisations. i think possible you are trying to run a marathon afetr you have just learnt to crawl. Best of luck with whatever you decide phil

Thanks for all your replies.