Rank: New forum user 
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I have recently researched the possibility of developing an apprenticeship framework for Health and Safety Advisers/Managers. I have been informed that the Sector Skills Council for this area feel that there is "there is not a high enough demand to develop a H&S Apprenticeship Framework" which would also affect funding. My personal feeling is that there is no demand because this method of training is not the traditional way of falling into H & S. I understand the requirements for "competent advice" which is why H & S apprentices would need full supervision. So my question is , "Should there be a demand?" What do you all think?
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Rank: Forum user
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Way outside my area of expertise, but I'd have thought their might be a demand if the apprenticeships were industry based, i.e. food & Leisure, manafacturing etc. I'm not sure a general H&S apprenticeship would work, the competent advice element is very industry specific?
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Rank: Super forum user
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I'm not convinced it would work either Colin - I feel that the path into safety has vastly changed over the last 10 years - back then, people drifted into the role for various reasons e.g. an active interest, skill set or in some cases press ganged because nobody in their right mind would touch it!!!!
These days - it’s a career choice with many Universities offering Undergraduate courses in both Management and Enforcement………
Therefore if you want to get into it at an early age - the route exists and is already widespread. If you want to set somebody on industry specific would this not be a Trainee Safety Officer in your business.
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Rank: Forum user
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In theory the idea sounds fine, in practice the 'traditional' apprenticeship of learning from ones peers may not work as folks don't listen to young people at the best of times.
Ours is an industry based on experience and gravitas, something not readily abundant in young professionals.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I disagree - and think it is a sound idea. The term introduces the opportunity of employers (and the apprentices) drawing support from the govt for training etc. It has special status which could be very favourable to our profession a another form of qualification and it applies across the demographic -but would be very useful in introducing a 'less old' practitioner.
The problem is that there would not be enough takers to make it worthwhile organising due to massive investment cost - both to Govt and sponsoring accrediting bodies.
There was a scheme for enforcement which has now sadly passed (I believe) - a missed opportunity for local authorities especially, who seem to prefer the more academic route.
I have suggested this route to be used overseas -it has met with much more interest than here.
Steve
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Rank: Forum user
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I agree with Steve Granger on this, before I broke into the H&S sector I had a trade and various qualifications, experience in other trades as well as being a Safety Rep for 7 years. I also obtained a BSc in Occupational H&S but everytime I applied for a Safety role I was told I did not have the experience, this often puzzled me as I had worked on COMAH sites onshore and offshore for most of my working life of some 27 years, but did not have the relevant H&S experience.
So how are you supposed to get this experience, well as you have suggested an apprenticeship would be an ideal start, to enable people to brought into H&S as it took me absoultely ages to break into it.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Steve - its an none starter, your correct it would never in a million years get the funding required and who is going to attend it if it did get funding? I disagree there would be takers - there will be all sorts attending it and I'm sorry to say for the wrong reasons. We can all cite poor examples of Government Schemes that have washed money down the drain.
It would be set up with guaranteed passes (as many of these courses are) and the industry would be awash with people trying to gain employment - much worse than it is now.
Sweeny, again I agree with you its very difficult to get that experience - but the ones dedicated to achievement get there - I guess you are a good example of this?
If you want it you'll get it eventually - if your good enough your stay in it…………...
DP
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Rank: Forum user
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My organisation is very supportive of Apprenticeships and now has a number of Apprentices working in different areas. I was asked by my manager to look into the possibility of us taking on a H&S Apprentice as the age profile of the current H&S Team is a bit on the high side! Which is when like you I discovered there was no scheme for H&S. If there was I would certainly be interested. I was also asked to look at the possibility of taking on an intern but did not get very far with that either, I understood that IOSH were looking at some kind of scheme but have not heard anything lately on this.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'm not for young people coming into such apprenticeship in this field in much the same way as I don't personally believe that Teachers should arrive in post without previous experience and life skills.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ron the field is very, very wide, very wide. In fact it is so wide and so deep that there is room for everyone to play on the team who wants to.
Put another way - who taught Neil Armstrong to land on Tranquillity Base? And how much moon landing experience did they have to teach him?
The objective of an apprenticeship is to develop under the control of supervision - sounds a bit like the professional development and IPD process to me.
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Rank: Forum user
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I'm all for H&S apprenticeships, the only way the industry will move forward is with new blood coming through with fresh ideas. Nothing can replace experience and there will always be a need for older guys, but that also needs to be combined with the ambition and enthusiasm of youth.
We have a very young team here. There are a lot of young project/QHSE enginners, guided by the older guys. The pioneers who were buliding the oil industry in the 1970s. The atmosphere can be electric, we are doing things that just weren't possible 10 years ago. Thats due to a combination of enthusiastic young guns with heads full of ideas and a desire to make a name for themselves and the experienced guys who keep our feet on the ground.
It works well the business is going from strength to strength, our project list is constantly growing and theres enough work here to see out my lifetime.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ah yes, for those of us working in a Team setting, the concept of an "apprentice" or graduate trainee is a feasible one. But what proportion of this very wide field of ours actually work as part of a Team? What chance the fresh H&S Graduate with no other experience or life skills? How many employers are in a position to offer vocational training, sponsorship, and most importantly, a job?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Depends on the employer - we own a small retail outlet with 5 part timers. We decided to take on an apprentice to do the books and study accountancy. We took the view 'win win' kept our eyes on what was happening - as we should in any part of the business. We could not afford to train someone - the apprenticeship scheme covered these costs for us, with some input by the apprentice.
Output - keen worker, support process for development, qualification, job and college course full.
Were they responsible for our EOY and personal tax liability - no, but did we benefit and did they do a good job - yes.
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Rank: Forum user
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I am currently recruiting our 3rd H&S apprentice and have to say that the whole experience is a rewarding one. The scheme is for 16 - 19 year olds and yes there is much supervision required. We have been fortunate that the previous and current apprentice have been very good and continue to seek careers within H&S environment. I guess that last statement gives away the downfall - finding entry level jobs.
The apprenticeship scheme operated via the Scottish Government (indirectly) gives the apprentice 12 months work experience and an SVQ level 3 (H&S), along with 2 "further enhancements" (this year Fire Safety Trainer and IOSH Managing Safety).
As you would expect the first few months are require intensive supervision, but as the skills develop and they gain confidence then the apprentice starts to take a lead in more and more projects.
The apprenticeship here is aimed at getting young people ready for an entry level job, they do exist but in the current climate many of our more qualified colleagues are competing for the same job. When they leave us we make sure the apprentice knows it is only the start of a journey that there is still much to learn
I have to say that as an employer with the stated aim of helping young people into employment we do gain from it. As a H&S professional I, and my team, get a lot out of it as we guide and mentor someone along the rocky road to CMIOSH and I like to think the apprentice gets a lot out of it in terms of structured and supported learning and a chance to nurture that "health and Safety bug" many of us caught after that first H&S course many years ago.
If you get the chance to be involved in an apprenticeship scheme then "go for it!!"
Stuart
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