PASA – I see you are currently in retail if you want to PM me I can go over a few initiatives that I have implemented in retail where I have drawn support from the shop floor. I can share some experience with you it may help.

It’s my last day tomorrow for a week so if I don’t get back for a while that’s why.

I regularly get requests for under-grad and post-grad students, and others, to work with me free of charge 'just for the experience'. This might be anything from a 1 day visit to a whole summer recess, or a longer formal internship. Some want to come half way round the world - it would be me that takes time to sponsor their visit and complete the needs of UKBA!

I have never accepted.

It can massage the ego somewhat that people want to do this, but what is the impact on my work?

I don't know who is good and who is not, and to find out will take a lot of my time. And there seems to be no recognition of the time and effort on my part involved in such voluntary attachments. You don't want to be left standing in the corner but instead want some training and advice, you want to learn about my work, to gain an insight in to the subject area, to get hands on, to become involved.

All of that takes time. It involves at times that I take a chance and let you do some of my work, be it in the laboratory or a desk-based task. Are you competent? I must show you what to do, and how to do it, then check afterwards. And double check. It is an not easy, and often not a safe situation.

All of those who ask take my refusal in different ways. Some say thank you for reading my CV, others engage in a brief email dialogue when I send back a few words of encouragement. Others say nothing, not even thank you.

Please do recognise that it can be an immense challenge to take on a visitor like this, even short term. Some may have the time and be happy to do this - good luck to them, but I wonder if their employer is aware fully of the cost and impact? For others, it just isn't a practical option, so don't be too harsh in condemnation of the fact you can't just pop round for a free-of-charge look over someone's shoulder.

I very much doubt any professional body can do much, except have some form of arrangements, either directly or indirectly for job-search for jobs in general and for work experience in particular.

However, we do have our networks, i.e the branches & the groups and it is through this that there can be possibilities.

Following on from what Jay said, IOSH Branches in many cases offer excellent opportunities for networking - meeting other members. If you strike up relationships you may find that you can get visits organised to the workplaces of other members.

I notice your Branch offers networking opportunities to you, so I would recommend you get along to the meetings. The meetings also provide you with plenty of CPD opportunities.