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Simon Roberts  
#1 Posted : 15 April 2011 13:22:34(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Simon Roberts

I notice some colleges are offering H&S degrees. Is there any benefit to taking this route as opposed to the occupational route of NEBOSH certificate/Diploma?
I would imagine two years in a classroom may give a good knowledge of theory, legislation and possibly 'good practise' process and procedure, but would it be able to provide a suitable level of 'real world' experience i.e. The practical applications of assessing risks.
Could I expect someone fresh-from-college with a degree to have the knowledge to understand what is actually reasonable or practicable?
MB1  
#2 Posted : 15 April 2011 13:51:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1

An inherent problem of gaining academic knowledge and then with the current climate unable to find positions that will allow them to put theory into practice as can be gauged from the Careers forum?
John M  
#3 Posted : 15 April 2011 14:11:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John M

Bring the men and women through the ranks first, then consider academia. It is only by this route that they learn and can apply practicality in the real world. It is the prime reason why I am a firm advocate of the NVQ route.

These are the people I manage - no young upstarts with degrees who can tell you how to calculate the cubic inches of a egg but cannot manage to cook one.

Sadly, such persons are hard to come by to-day.

Jon
stuie  
#4 Posted : 15 April 2011 19:51:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stuie

You could always look at a part time degree (hopefully funded by an understanding employer); and whilst one is studying get the practical experience that is required to underpin one's academic knowledge.
walker  
#5 Posted : 18 April 2011 11:02:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

yawn!

Surely the old qualifications vs experience argument has been thrashed to death!
Is there anyone who does not accept you need both?

moonpool  
#6 Posted : 19 April 2011 07:12:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
moonpool

Both qualifications are valuable when endeavouring on the path to Health and Safety. Pros and cons could include that the NEBOSH is more recognised nationally, however some employers do advertise for the 4-5 year degree when seeking international employement. Like driving, you don't really start to learn until you have passed the course and started to gain the practise. Which ever route you take experience will be section that defines you during the CV sifting process. Good Luck!

Regards Kev
Garfield Esq  
#7 Posted : 19 April 2011 07:46:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Garfield Esq

quote=KevinMcAughrey]Both qualifications are valuable when endeavouring on the path to Health and Safety. Pros and cons could include that the NEBOSH is more recognised nationally, however some employers do advertise for the 4-5 year degree when seeking international employment. Like driving, you don't really start to learn until you have passed the course and started to gain the practise. Which ever route you take experience will be section that defines you during the CV sifting process. Good Luck!

Regards Kev


Most positions I see now ask for a Nebosh qual or equivalent. In general, my experience is that employers haven't a scooby what Nebosh entails but are aware of the name. Basically Nebosh is the Hoover of the HS qual world. I have both Nebosh and Post Grad HS quals and have to say the PG was the one that got me my current Job and the new one I am starting. As previously said this subject has been 'thrashed to death'. There generally are vocational aspects to HS degrees so they cannot be regarded as academic!!
Fraser38932  
#8 Posted : 19 April 2011 13:49:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Fraser38932


In my opinion NEBOSH will always be the gold standard of health and safety quals and the fact that it is more vocational than say a health and safety degree means it can be put to good use in the workplace.

An NVQ is similiar, but tends to be organisation specific in its application.
walker  
#9 Posted : 19 April 2011 15:49:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

Fraser38932 wrote:

In my opinion NEBOSH will always be the gold standard of health and safety quals and the fact that it is more vocational than say a health and safety degree means it can be put to good use in the workplace.

An NVQ is similiar, but tends to be organisation specific in its application.



I assume you mean the NEBOSH diploma
NEBOSH themselves state the certificate has no professional standing

If we do not make the distinction between the two how can you complain about employers just asking for NEBOSH.
bob youel  
#10 Posted : 20 April 2011 07:00:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

U also have to consider the 'degree club' that we have in the UK when U are looking at which path to take where somebody with a degree [ by attendance at a uni not distance learning etc] is automaticially thought of as better than somebody without a degree. This position can affect your whole life as uni students/people are usually fast tracked irrespective of what life experience/competence they have

Stedman  
#11 Posted : 20 April 2011 10:42:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Stedman

bob youel wrote:
U also have to consider the 'degree club' that we have in the UK when U are looking at which path to take where somebody with a degree [ by attendance at a uni not distance learning etc] is automaticially thought of as better than somebody without a degree. This position can affect your whole life as uni students/people are usually fast tracked irrespective of what life experience/competence they have



Bob,

I have to agree with the ‘degree club’ issue. Large or professional employers now tend to favour those with degrees and with a first degree a NEBOSH Diploma works well, however most post graduates if given a choice, would grasp the MSc opportunity instead.

Degrees tend to be more transferable whilst the NEBOSH Diploma is much more specific. I tend to take a strategic view of my career and whilst I have a NEBOSH Diploma, this would not necessarily be choice that I would now take.

Simon Roberts  
#12 Posted : 20 April 2011 13:24:32(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Simon Roberts

We are getting a little lost in the academic/vocational debate. I am much more interested in knowing what an OHAS degree can offer me that my existing NVQ 4 (+ open assesment to follow shortly) does not, especially as it will be supported by an engineering degree.
redken  
#13 Posted : 20 April 2011 13:51:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
redken

sort of relevant!

http://www.shp4jobs.co.u...308161/standards-officer
Recognised H&S qualification to the standard of the NEBOSH Diploma (preferably by examination).
MB1  
#14 Posted : 20 April 2011 14:49:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1

I wonder what happens once you have been examined?

And from IOSH flagship recruitment channel too!
Leslie3048  
#15 Posted : 26 April 2011 11:04:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Leslie3048

After over 11 years in the Health and Safety world I decided to try to gain a Degree in OHSE, distance learning from Greenwich University. I did the NEBOSH "Safety in Construction" Certificate at the same time! Got a Honours degree (2.1) a "Distinction" in the NEBOSH Certificate. I already have a Diploma in Safety Management and a Diploma in Environmental Management but felt that I wanted to go the down the academic route for purely personal reasons. I not only really enjoyed it but I learnt an awful lot as well. My view is go for it if you want it.
RayRapp  
#16 Posted : 26 April 2011 11:42:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

In an ideal world you would have both the NEBOSH Diploma and a OHS Masters degree. However, not everyone has the opportunity to do both. I chose a MSc over the NEBOSH Diploma as I thought it was right thing to do at the time, and 10 years later have no regrets. There are no right or wrongs in some cases.
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