Some very nice replies in here and it just shows what a useful place this is. If it hasn't been said above the best place to network is the branch and group meetings. Plus conference coming up with the free exhibition and spotlight sessions and a place to consider working for some of the manufactures of safety stuff. One note of caution though - the top positions in IOSH are reserved for the senior service. I am sure you pongo's, crabs and bootnecks undertand.

Core blimey gov, reading the above I can only deduce that the fish ‘eads av bin a chuggin at the rum ration again. Sadly it is true that not all of you studied hard enough at school and were not permitted to join Betty Windsor’s Flying Circus. You have to live with that as best you can, PM me for photo copies of 5 star hotel receipts ;-) I set my sights low for the first job and took a 66% pay cut. By using the gratuity to kill the mortgage and car loan then commuting the pension, it meant that the ready cash at the end of the month was the same. Don’t forget that the taxman’s bill etc will also drop off a bit, so that helped. I also pointed out during my interview that my ELCAS was at the time funding my NEBOSH Dip and would then fund the Enviro Dip. Employers like the free stuff, the chap interviewing me did not have a “poker face” and I saw that comment go home. The problem for me was two fold. 1. My employer was a fool. 2. The job was naff. I got my head down, did my bit as well as possible and slept at night. I got the experience under my belt and moved on with head held high…………..This time next year I will be a millionaire. Betta’s soapbox talk says; Hang on in there buddy and keep the faith. The work IS out there, get the most out of ELCAS (make sure the employer knows about it), get NEBOSH certificates in your portfolio, maybe consider lowering your pay expectations a bit, use your pension and CRACK ON. Also consider this option. Many health and safety people are recruited in house when the employer knows that they can be trusted. I have six good friends (3 pongos, a Rock Ape, a “guin” and a bubble head) who all ended up in the trade via that route. They all got a bog standard jobs, took on “elf n safety” as a secondary role, got NEBOSH qualifications and were at a later date moved sideways into the full time role. Good luck and give consideration to that training package that I PM’d you about.

Hi, Same as some of the other guys, I did 24 years, the Army owe me nothing, but I owe the Army. As an Engineer, wouldn't the Construction Cert be more beneficial? Not sure what trade you were. Not a lot of recruiting in construction at the moment, its a good qual to have under your belt. I managed to wangle the General Cert, Fire Cert and Construction Cert before I left in 2008. I am now studying for the Diploma. Take notice of some of the points, it isn't a quick fix second career, it takes time, experience and a lot of personal effort to remain up to date as well as Continued Professional Development. I would recommend completing and taking with you to any interview a portfolio of what you have completed, it worked for me, my employers couldn't believe their eyes, I had put a lot of time and effort into putting it together, it showed that I was methodical, organised and very keen on personal development. Let me have your email and I can send my template for a good portfolio if you want it. Remember the hardest part is getting your CV onto the top of the pile and under the employers noses, once you have done that, make sure you impress at the interview. Good luck.

Ok well thanks for all the post over the last few days as always there is some good advice and I will take it on board. Good to see the banter lives on with you guys now your civi's. Ref to some of the post's I am expecting to take a low paid job and I am more than up for proving my worth and working my way up its just getting that interview I guess. I am wondering what's your thoughts about work experience so I can put them down on my CV or would an employer really not care about short term flits? Thanks as always for the advice Its a big help.

I would get H/S and environmental qualification first. Then if I were you I would go for ISO 9001 LA. That’ll give your CV a QA flavour too.

Sound advise the employer is looking for more hats than a Quartermaster having finished as a QM I know. Just have a browse through the adds and its QHSE the man/woman with the money is looking for. Now, not knowing what your experience is or what you do? Why do you think health and safety is the path for you? Sounds like and interview question, not intended. But since you have Fire Management why not continue with Fire Risk Assessments? A pongo for 30yrs and a took a peanuts for the first 2yrs as a consultant and construction HSE for 12 do a good job and you will al;ways be employed.

I'm Ex RAF, you know, rising above the rest! (Joking), and I have to say that many Companies do acknowledge Ex-Service Personnel and their credibility in training and competencies, some Companies actively recruit Ex-Service Personnel for that very reason; other have simply no idea how good we are and that we have all progressed through the toughest meritocracy on earth, oh yeah, I went there. Frankly it's their loss; my current position involves not just H&S, but Quality Assurance, Maintenance and Planning, Supervision and Management, and you know what, we all did that constantly without even batting an eye lid. Once you sample the quality and delights of Civilian Industry and Commerce, you will rapidly learn that they are light years behind the drag-curve, I mean light years. Remember where you came from and use your full skills set, look for a position that uses not just your newly acquired and soon to be achieved qualifications, but all of your considerable competencies. It's funny working for Civilians, I spend a lot of time dumb struck with incredulity and/or wondering how on earth they make a profit. You'll be fine, you just don't know how good you are, yet. Lol.

I am quite surprised by this comment especially as “The main objectives for successfully undertaking the transition between military and civilian life is to firmly leave that psychological uniform and baggage behind you”, and this quote came from a senior ex-military colleague of mine who I did not even realise had been in the services. I have met some very good ex military colleagues who have developed excellent transferable skills, however equally I have also seen ex forces personnel who seriously struggle in civilian life because they have not successfully made the transition. As there is currently another thread on this forum encouraging titled ‘Helping Injured Soldiers make the Transition into the Civilian Sector’, it is imperative that the correct message is conveyed that ex military personnel can make excellent civilian employees.

This thread was posted for advice about how to get into employment and what the best qulifications i could get so i can start to become a vital memeber of any company not about the civilian and forces differences. I am really grateful for all the advice I have been getting and if the advice could be about work and qualiications etc I think there will be less chance of offence being caused. Gentlemen just remember to respect all parties on the forum before going in with the banter thanks you all again for the advice.