Hi all

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has reached mid forties and realised that now is probably the best time to stage one last push...

I have been a registered self employed forklift instructor for 5 years. A great vocation in many ways, but with limited scope for career progression. Previously a Union H&S Rep for a year or so (TUC H&S Quals only - no NEBOSH) - but do have IOSH Managing Safely.

From research on here, and elsewhere, it seems logical to self fund an NGC and in the meantime look for volunteer or part time H&S assistant work.

My aim is to find gainful employment within aeronautical engineering or alternative energy (both seem to have strong sector prospects in the UK).

Would NGC help? Do my assumptions seem valid?

Cheers

Hi WFD,
I hope you don't mind the abbreviation...
I have recently finished my NGC and passed the course with a credit, so I think I'm in a reasonable position to comment. I think that the course was brilliant and really opened me up to what does need to be achieved in the workplace to make it safe and functional. If nothing else it is a fantastic stepping stone into the H&S world, I would recommend that you then look towards the diploma if you want to be taken very seriously.
I might be wrong and some will say that experience is more advantages, but it wouldn't hurt to have both?
I hope you get to where you want to be, life is to short and we have to do these things whilst we are able too!
I'm 34 and started a year ago, so I have a huge amount of catching up to do, if anybody wishes to correct me, go for it. Everyday is a school day!!
Good luck :-)

Hi w4d,

Have you considered going straight for a Diploma? I helped out on the training of our Union H&S reps recently and the 10-day course the union provided impressed me (mostly). If you did anything like that, and have a reasonable bit of experience as a rep and trainer you might find you can fit right in. It's a tougher and more expensive qualification, but if you want to get a start quickly it'll open more doors maybe.

It all depends on how you feel about your current h&s awareness though. I changed career at 40 after 17 years self-employed so am right behind you - good luck!