Rank: Forum user 
|
Hi
Just finished and passed my NVQ level 5,( Undergraduate equivalent I believe) and am very happy to achieved this as it took a lot of work and expense, as although my work were happy for me to use examples of my current work, they were not willing to support my learning and all had to be carried out in my own time and at my own cost. Fortunately for me one of the directors( was very supportive) and Production manager agreed to act as witnesses and sign off Evidence.
I have applied to IOSH for Grad status
Anyway, as you can imagine I am keen to move on to somewhere a little more supportive and to continue to allow my education to continue and knowledge grow.
So am looking at jobs from all over the place at the moment. Many state NEBOSH Dip or equivalent which of course I have now. My question for jobs that do no state this would it be worth on my Cv in brackets next to the NVQ to state NEBOSH Dip equivalent or would that give the impression that I’m thinking they are too thick to understand?
Thank you
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Most HR recruitment people don't have a clue what they are asking for! They cut and paste from previous adverts and JDs.
I have seen hundreds of ads that ask for NEBOSH qualified - not indication of cert or diploma.
I did the Open College diploma ten years ago (so at exactly the same level of education as the NEBOSH diploma) and then a BSc in OSH, and still get asked if I am NEBOSH qualified!!
Assume they are too thick to understand!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
Hi
Just spotted a job advert last week for a health and safety manager and they were required to be a chartered member of NEBOSH.
I agree with Julian a lot of HR recruitment company's are not to well versed on H&S qualifications. A brief explanation of your qualification relating to the job role you apply for would be a good idea, a lot of H&S jobs that are advertised do now ask for NEBOSH-Dip or equivalent.
The NEBOSH-Dip verses NVQ5 still rolls on. (I,ve just heard a rumor that a NVQ level 6 in occupational health and safety is now available - anyone know if this is true ???)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Yes this is correct
From September 2015 the level 6 will replace level 5.
I asked the question whether or not the level 5 would continue to be seen as on par with the NEBOSH Diploma for those of us who already hold this.
Its like when the new GCSE replaced O levels, this didn't just stop being
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
ballyclover wrote:Hi
in brackets next to the NVQ to state NEBOSH Dip equivalent I dont get this how can these qualifications be equivalent one is a highly regarded academic qualification. After which the academic world allows you to put DipNEBOSH after your name and also allows you to wear robes and mortarboard. The other is simply a vocational qualification. They are not the same it is like chalk and cheese --both do however get you membership of the IOSH club at Grad level
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Psycho
Not sure that be able to wear robes and a mortarboard is much of a skill set for a competent health and safety professional.
One route to Grad IOSH is the ability to pass exams and write NEBOSH speak; the other shows that you are doing what is needed. IOSH treats each route as equivalent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
The qualifications are equivalent because they suit how different people obtain information and use it. The NVQ is vocational- its practical, the Diploma is more academic with exams and coursework/ dissertation style units. There is nothing wrong with either. I have done NVQ's and a degree in the past, but decided on the Diploma as it suits my style of learning better and suited my situation at time. If I was starting now given my new role the NVQ route may have been better, but this is the path I'm taking. I have the up most respect for anyone that do things to better themselves, whichever route they take.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Hear, hear Peter!
Ballyclover, IMO, even though the job adverts state NEBOSH, the most significant factor is the relevant experience that you have which will get you that position. Your current level of qualification puts you firmly on the path to CMIOSH, why waste several thousand pounds for an EQUIVALENT qualification?
For what it's worth, in my experience of working with / employing people who have taken both routes, those new into the profession who have taken the NVQ route arrive better equipped into the workplace with hands on experience than someone who has recently done their NEBOSH Diploma. However, everyone gets there in the end if they want to!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Ive got the Diploma but dont really have much of an opinion which is better. TBH though in terms of getting a job NEBOSH dips seems the most preferred qualification. I also now a fair few people in this sector who took the NVQ 5 route as it was apparently the easier option...their words not mine...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Well that quickly degenerated into an inevitable mines bigger than yours.
OP: Julian has it in #2
I am chartered and evidently missed a job in the sift because I had not included my NCG in the cv qualification list. Even though it clearly stated I was a Nebosh NGC examiner
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
I think of alot of recruitment bods dont really have much of a clue in terms of the specific value of safety qualifications. If they are asking for the Dip, they may, during the first scan of the many applications they are likely to have bin the ones that dont have exactly what they are asking for. i.e the NvQ. Now this doesn't mean the NvQ is not as valuable as the Dip, or the people with the Nvq know less than Dip holders. But it does mean you could have a slightly lower chance of getting a first interview in some cases.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Thank you for the replies
I recall we once employed an engineer; he had several university degrees and was working today becoming an assistant professor. He was undoubtedly a very clever man, but my god he was unable to demonstrate the practical skills that went with his certification. I joke you not he would struggle with a hammer and simple straight forward engineering skills he lacked, Drilling, tapping etc. Point being that academic qualifications are great but without the practical skills to back that up your unemployable, in my opinion.
For me the only option available to me was the NVQ route, as the company I work for were unwilling to help me fund the course. I had to consider for me the best route, which would meet my career aims and represent a significant step forward in education and knowledge while balancing the cost of courses and the ability to be able to revise in a hectic household. Even with the NVQ I spent many a night reading up and revising to be able to answer the different modules in a way that was required by NVQ.
At the end of the day I have gained the same goal regardless of the route I took to get there. I have a proven track record now in working as a health and safety manager and qualification to show I am able to carry out the things I studied for.
This now gives me the confidence to move on and hopefully find a new employer, who may appreciate my skills a little more. At the end of the day it’s about providing for my family while doing a career I enjoy.
Now I can consider moving towards chartered membership, and if the future allows I would love to continue gaining more qualifications, be that NEBOSH dip or other.Something i never thought possible several years ago.
So i wish everyone the best of luck which ever method they choose to take
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
well done
the 'which is best' argument has been going on for years and will continue to do so forever more
In my experience and view after working in many different countries, sectors etc. for many years and being a social history nerd we are the only country as far as I am aware who have this class thing e.g. academia v non-academia, so embedded & obvious in our culture so all we can do is to try to be the best we can as it will not go away so there is not much we can do about it
I say that both ways are good & irrespective of the route we individually took to get where we are we all should have a very very good understanding of both noting that time and again we come across NVQ people with little real academic understanding behind a subject and the same with academic people who have no way to interpret their academic knowledge into the real world
As for HR, agencies and employers/clients etc. they usually have very little understanding nor care about the subject area [and do not even read CV's as its key words only nowadays] and those in charge tend to be in the biggest union of all e.g. the university club so unless U have attended university and irrespective of what U have achieved U are second class in any case
all I can advise is to get as many strings to your bow as possible [both academic and practicable] as you make your way through life as all things U learn are valuable
best of luck
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
NVQ 5, to get me to grad IOSH and then CMIOSH after that, so now don't really care about NVQ vs Dip.
Either way you do it IOSH accounts for this as part of the CMIOSH route!!!!
I have had no issues when moving jobs with regard to this. I have come across the Nebosh Snobs that think academia is the only way forward, but as long as you have your counter for this you should be fine (NGC 1 distinction but had no practical hands on experience which the NVQ 5 gave me).
Good luck with Job hunting.
For your cv as a tip in very small font at the bottom of your cv, list key words, this will enhance the number of hits and matches you get from the algorithms that the agencies run when matching cvs. in this put NEBOSH, NVQ, GradIOSH etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
To add to Matthew's tip, you could also put these abbreviations in the same colour font as background, e.g. white font on white paper. Key word finder will still find it but won't untidy the page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.