Andy,
This is a topic which often crops up on the forum, so you might find a quick browse through previous postings to be helpful.

However, getting back to your post, you ask if there are any courses you need to take before you set up as a freelance consultant. The simply answer is that you don't NEED to take any courses - anybody can set themselves up as a freelance h&s consultant if they so wish. You don't need to meet any specific criteria.

You already have a good foundation in place, but before you take the plunge you need to have a long, hard think about the implications of striking out on your own. For example:

* the consultancy sector is very crowded, so how are you going to get your individual message heard?
* how long will it take to develop clients?
* how much can you afford to spend while you're cultivating these clients and building their trust (i.e. before they actually give you a contract and you earn some money?)
* are you cut out psychologically to be a freelance? It can be very lonely, very scary, and frequently very frustrating. It's also a long, hard slog taking your business from just an idea to actually earning money.

I'd speak to your local Chamber of Commerce (or similar) to see if they have any courses available for new entrepreneurs on topics such as start-up finance, marketing, networking and so on.

Andy,

Farrall and SS have given you good advice. I had a good background in science, equipment and chemical engineering so NEBOSH was the only paid-for course I did before going self-employed. I've been lucky and learned a lot about CDM, WAH and construction working with good customers.

When I started up some years ago I found there were free business set-up seminars run by the local Chamber of Commerce, I'm sure they still do something, back then it was called Enterprise Club or something like that. I remember a series of about 5 seminars, explained about tax etc and the importance of having your own website. Thankfully even 10 years ago I knew something about that.

This looks like some of what they do now, Business Clinics,

http://www.cw-chamber.co.../EventDetails?event=1425


John