If you were looking for a change in direction to a completely different industry sector – ie the food industry from say engineering type industry. You already have a NEBOSH Diploma, what food specific training would be appropriate to start with, and then progressing onwards after that. Would CIEH level 2&3 “Health and Safety in the Workplace and food Hygiene” course be any good. This is a free course I may be allowed to go on by the Job centre (in fact their suggestion). Will this be of any use when applying for a job in H&S in the food industry, or is it only any good if I want to work in an outlet where you may ask if the customer wants fries with that burger. Any help most appreciated Chris

Hi Chris How about this? http://www.highspeedtrai...vel-2-haccp-course.aspx. I came across this course whilst shadowing at a well known sandwich manufacturer. CIEH is for Environmental health officers if I'm not mistaken. They go around assessing and investigating food outlets such as take aways, restaurants and the like, and usually work for councils.

As damelcfc has indicated - CIEH is the professional body for EHO's who also offer training in a range of subject areas linked to their involvement in industry. I am not familiar with their "health & safety in the workplace and food hygiene" course - indeed I cannot see it listed on their website. OR is that 2 separate courses? As to whether it is an appropriate way to go - I think you need to establish at what level you intend to become involved in the food safety aspects. Whereas level 2 is a start - it is only a one day basic course and they progress accordingly eg level 3 is a 3 day course, level 4 is a five day programme and so on. You may well also need to think about HACCP training if you are completely new to food. Whilst the principles are broadly similar as in H&S - you will need to grasp a bit more than basic principles to be able to apply it.

Thanks for all the information everyone. Just come back from the Job centre and despite this being their idea it seems it is currently off the table via them. The course title is as I have listed it and is through a Welsh Government initiative, and I did wonder myself as I also could not find it other than as CIEH hygiene level 2 and 3. Also looked at the HACCP courses noted by Niki-Napo. This seems to be more systems based I think and Level 2 is 3 hours and level 3 a few days. It seems that you need to do both and at level 3 to be of any use for anything. They don't sound as if they are going to be particularly challenging to do, of course I could be wrong. I did wonder exactly how much you can be taught in 3 hours and seemed a little bit Mickey mouse, money generating wheeze. I may look at trying to self-fund these in some way in the future, so thanks all for the information. I wish I could just buy a book and take a test! I suspect that even if I do the courses, that it will be the lack of experience in this area that will be the main issue. I guess first things first and something to think over later tonight.

Thanks bjc I can't see the jobs on this site as you have to register and I don't like their terms and conditions. These include it being a mandatory agreement for them to send marketing info and emails to you and at their discretion to charge you an undisclosed amount of money as a membership fee. I can't find any other info on the web about this site, so sadly I guess I will miss out on any advertised jobs. Also sadly I have not got hammered in a pub for many many years. Due to being unemployed and no money I have not had an alcoholic drink now for over 10 months ( including Christmas, New Year and my recent Birthday). It is probably doing me some good. Thanks for the thought anyway.