CIEH offer 2 courses that cover what you are after, I think they are also relatively inexpensive (but would require a few full days at a centre). Have a look at: http://www.cieh.org/training/more_about_tsp.html (enables you to become a registered CIEH trainer, including H&S courses that CIEH offer). and http://www.cieh.org/training/more_about_ptlls.html (further teaching qualification to deliver training to life-long learners).

I did NVQL3 in T&D many years ago - portfolio and evidence based.

Thanks for the quick responses. It mostly came about via a discussion at the job centre and they hit upon it as something they may be able to help with. I felt that doing some sort of training could not hurt and may open up further opportunities for myself. Problem is you have to be careful or they claim as your not available for work you can lose all benefits you get. I hate claiming anything despite paying my dues for over 26 years, but I have no choice at the moment. This is why I can't do a full time course. An evening course would be best, that way if I get a job I can finish the course, but in the meantime it should not interfere with job seekers allowance. If they are willing to fund the course even better. I have had a look at the two web sites from Smitch's post, the certificate one seems to require you to do assignments within your workplace ( a bit of a problem if you are unemployed) though appears to be a better course. The PTTLS one was originally mentioned by the job centre but then they went down a different route. So further research required as I don't want to end up with a qualification that only allows me to teach something to 5 year olds (though on second thoughts could be appropriate for some). Ray - I'm not sure if I have a natural disposition for providing training as I have not done that much of it. Hopefully the course will give me a better idea. I will admit there are other aspects of H&S that I prefer, but you have to be an all-rounder in this day and age. Thanks very much to you all for the suggestions and comments

Look at Jake's posting. The first link is to the Training Skills and Practice(TSP) course which lasts three days and you will be assessed by carrying out a 30 minute teaching session at the end of the course. The second link is to the PTLLS course which is an extension of the first course and this requires a teaching assessment and written assignments. You can actually convert at a later date if you want to. As someone who delivers both courses and in view of your requirements I would advise you to initially opt for the TSP course which is acceptable to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) for registering to run some of their courses. If funding is available go for the PTTLS which is a five day or equivalent course. The level 3 version would be the one with less assignment work compared to the Level 4 version ( only real difference in the end is that Level 4 people can run the level 3 PTTLS course. Check your local colleges as many run these type of courses in the evening. Take care John C

Thanks for the great response everyone The job centre plus adviser told me that I can only do 2 weeks training per year. So although you could in theory do two courses:- the 3 day TSP course and the 5 day PTTLS course the 2 weeks clock starts ticking from day one of the first course, so unless you can arrange the two to run consecutively, benefit stops during the second course (ALL benefits including mortgage interest- only just got this one as you have to wait 13 weeks). So the question is do you need to do the TSP one, or is it highly advisable to do the TSP course first, or it is ok to go for PTTLS straight off. I agree not everyone is cut out for teaching and this could be me, but I will never know unless I try and all information is good. I don’t think I would ever want to teach full time, but you never know what will crop up in the future. I have come across some quite poor trainers (including on the NEBOSH diploma) and have even done some training were it was more like teach yourself. I also know people learn in different ways, I personally prefer books than classroom, or more accurately books then classroom to discuss anything I don’t understand, but each to their own. I guess at the moment I’m trying to branch out as much as possible to give myself the best chance I can. So again thanks for the help so far from everyone

The TSP is the first part of PTLLS- so go for the PTLLS if it is being funded. You then get an appropriate qualification and experience in different ways of learning. The assignments are based on the course not on your workplace. Even the microteach can be on any subject you want - candidates microteaches on one course varied from joinery and mitred joints to harness inspection with icing cupcakes in between. John C