I'm confused as to why you seem to think you'll get a job with the HSE. Weren't aware they are recruiting and unless you have a specialism they don't tend to take on H&S professionals, they prefer to train them up from scratch. In answer, I hear from ex-colleagues that it's a bad time to be working for them.

Am ex inspector and have to say had an excellent 7 years working for them....however that was in the 90s. I understand from colleagues that like everywhere else it is tough. However the fact they are recruiting in your area means you will get first class training and a fascinating role. However dont go into the civil service expecting a wonderful pension and a job for life anymore. Like anything your job is what you make it

As with any role and organisation, working for HSE has its pros and cons. On the plus side, you generally get good training, including a good grasp of OS&H law, plus wide experience of many different types of organisations, processes and situations - good and bad. Also, the support from its specialists was and very probably remains good. However, though I was a general inspector with HSE for over 10 years, I left in 1987, so various aspects of HSE will inevitably have changed since then. I joined with minimal experience of the world of work, having only done temporary jobs during college vacations and after leaving college. By contrast, people with wider experience of organisations and work activities may be of more use as recruits to HSE. By its nature, HSE is a notably bureaucratic organisation. Also, inspectors and specialists can be liable to transfer anywhere in the UK - which can cause related disruption and strains, especially for those with families. However, transfers are probably very limited these days in view of the recent major cut in HSE's budget. Another effect of the cut is that HSE is closing some of its regional offices. As a result, inspectors will almost certainly find their travelling increases considerably and have even less face-to-face contact with colleagues. In my experience HSE had a wide spectrum of people, including some who were notably down to earth, dedicated and helpful, plus a few who seemed to enjoy being officious and exerting their authority. My experience, skills and knowledge gained with HSE have been very useful, and probably enhanced my chance of getting another job when I decided that I didn't want to work for HSE for the rest of my working life. (As nobody tried to persuade me to stay, I was probably mediocre as an inspector!) One skill which I had tended to take for granted was interviewing and taking effective statements from witnesses. Therefore, if HSE advertises professional vacancies which might be of interest to some forum users, consider getting more information and then weigh up the pros and cons of such jobs when deciding whether or not to apply.

Within HSE there were - and probably still are - differing views about people who join for the training and to gain some experience before leaving after only a few years or so. One view is that the early leavers have somehow defrauded the taxpayer by getting good training, etc., at taxpayers' expense. Another view is that well-trained people with some experience, plus some inculcation* in the ways and thinking of the HSE, tend to complement HSE in its aims and work through their various roles after leaving HSE. Also, people with some previous experience of HSE have some advantage if and when they have to deal with current HSE inspectors, not least through being able to speak the ‘same language’. Ex-[reference removed] are not alone in this respect. For example, former fire brigade officers working as fire safety advisers/consultants have an advantage when dealing with advice or enforcement action by current fire officers. Also, it has to be said, those with previous enforcement experience tend to be better equipped to identify when enforcers are going over the top (OTT) and being officious in their work - AND also to challenge such enforcers! As already advised, forum users who see vacancies with HSE really need to decide for themselves about whether to apply or not. Also, some people join and then find over time, for various reasons, that working for HSE is not really for them. Metaphorical horses for courses, and all that! (In some professions, the attrition rate starts at the beginning of training: Imagine the few who are accepted for medical school and then find that they simply cannot cope with dissecting human cadavers during their introduction to anatomy. p.s. * no apologies for "inculcation" above, because somehow it seemed to be the best word to use.