The reality is that what you have described as "add on" in majority of cases does require a degree of "sector" background to be a competent practitioner.

It is not simple to get a relatively first- stage position where you may get the sector background via conventional ads--irrespective of the ads origin. Most of such positions are likely to be filled in-house personnel with a view to provide additional training--be it certificate or diploma level. It is most likely that personal networking may be the way forward.

Hi Nikki-Napo
This is a real beef of mine. Employers constantly ask for 'experience in' (insert their industry) whereas actually, a competent H&S practitioner should be able to transfer to most sectors. Down to a misunderstanding of the role, in perpetuity, as covered by posters already. Example seen recently 'must have experience of working in financial sector'. Really?

There is a perception - within the H&S circle as much as outside - that H&S folk have to know all the answers to everything. So obviously you are then expected to BE the expert engineer, architect, builder or banker! When really the actual skill to focus on is the ability to work WITH such experts, aligning their input against defined standards. Oddly this doesn't seem as important when engaging a consultant - just being a consultant seems to be enough!

I do exclude myself from very specialist industries such as petro-chemical, nuclear, and pharmaceutical, but I am pretty comfortable in most other sectors, despite not ever having actually been a refuse collector, social worker, plumber, gardener, car mechanic, cleaner, life-guard, cook, scaffolder, nurse, librarian, parking attendant, farmer, vet, teacher, HGV driver, dog groomer etc etc.

IOSH could do more to help employers understand the potential of a well-trained generalist SAFETY & HEALTH practitioner, rather than a 'know-it-all box ticker'. No offence intended to anyone . . . ! Otherwise what is the point of now being able to start this career from university.

The other part to this beef is the JD that says "to ensure H&S compliance" throughout the multi-site, multi thousand employee base organisation. Sure.

There are transferable skills in a competent Safety Practitioners skills set, but many roles also require a minimum level of sector/industry knowledge. My background is Chemicals and I would not prefer to go for major construction related roles even if I have the understanding of the basic concept of the construction related health & safety legislation etc.

One thing I have noticed that started in the last recession (is this actually over yet?) is that unlike the previous recession, the job market changed. Previously, there was considerable movement of safety professionals between industries, indeed it was encouraged to bring in a fresh pair of eyes. Now if you don't have specific experience in an industry, it is extremely difficult to break into it from the outside. Probably a hangover from the recession, where employers could pick and choose, so saved on training and settling in costs by cherry picking people from within their industry.

This has long been a problem in some sectors, such as the NHS, but the problem seems to have spread to most other sectors now.

For those of us who have seen a few boom & busts this is no big surprise.
Its a buyer's market as there are lots of very qualified & experienced H&S folks chasing few jobs, so employers can be picky.

It only seems like yesterday that anyone with just a NEBOSH certificate could get a job without much effort.

Well said. I don't think I could've said that as well as you did. It's good to know that I'm not the only one thinking along the same lines.

Hi again Nikki-Napo especially - seen your comment on other thread re: career.

I still think that employers 'insist' on specific industry experience because they have a misconception about the role, and that we (all SPs and IOSH) should be doing all we can to dispel that 'special industry expert' view.

I had no problem recruiting from any industry background, was more interested in how candidates communicated and 'sold' themselves - and had thought about how their experience could be applied or adapted in their bid. That is because it was a council, with almost every type of work activity.

I note on another thread that you have done some consulting work, so make the most of the glimpses into the industries / activities involved there, you have to big-up a bit (not lie . . !) but, for example, some councils in recruiting safety advisers to the education department would ask for 'experience in education sector'. We have all been to at least 2 schools . . . ?

My first H&S job interview I had to justify why they should take a punt on unqualified me, and how relevant my experience in road safety was to H&S. In more ways than you would imagine, although I was only guessing then. All your volunteering, leisure and shadowing experiences will provide something.

Focus on skills - ability to get people talking (rather than talking to them), ask searching open questions, get back to basics (IS this a problem?), and desire / capacity to learn. Funding your own courses (same here) demonstrates commitment to yourself and future employers. Good input from Chris42.

Best of luck.

Without knowing your sector walker I can't really comment, but aud, believe me, I have no misconceptions about my role and that of my team. I don't have any misconceptions about what it takes to influence managers in my sector either. I can tell people that it's the law, but let's face it, to them HSE is just one regulator among many, and by no means the most important one. So a different approach is needed, and speaking the language of my customers is very very important. Now as I say, I have known people from industry or construction backgrounds make it as a H&S person in the voluntary health/care sector, but it has taken them quite a long time to really get it. If I want somebody to hit the ground running (and I usually do) it helps if they know the trip hazards and pitfalls as soon as they arrive, that's all,

John

Hi Nikki,

Not quite, I understood (and understand) most of what we do very well, there's always something new in every job. If I had had to learn about ambulances plus everything else we do, plus understanding the context and culture I would still be struggling,

John

Thanks Chris. I'm trying. :) Sometimes, the biggest challenge is getting past the gatekeepers, aka recruitment agencies.

I dealt with one the other week who didn't think I was a suitable candidate for the role they were hiring for. Guess what, this particular agency had been given the job spec for a HS&E person, but THEIR specialism is accountancy recruitment. I would love to have heard the reason/s behind why the company decided to use such an agency! Words failed me, and that takes some doing.

Just simply ask yourself why Health & Safety Executive most of the times looking for specialist and particularly Chartered Engineers rather than Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners!! Nowadays a lot of people have degree, NEBOSH, Chartered ...so competition is tough (regardless some posts are transferred internally to less qualified people)

SHV

I often describe myself as a General H&S Practitioner because as a rule I don't specialise in any particular aspect of h&s. I have worked predominately in the railway industry for the last 30 odd years, however railways can be very diverse and I have covered most aspects of railway working. I have also worked in construction, utilities, nuclear and now in local government - an eclectic mix I think.

The principles of risk management are generic. However I can see where some industry sectors want someone who is used to the industry. The fact is there are enough h&s people to choose from as a rule so prospective employers can be as choosy as they wish.

I think that having a broad knowledge of a number of different industry sectors is a plus as far as I'm concerned. It does expand one's knowledge of situations, people, tasks, systems and so on. When I retire from full-time working I will probably do an interim or consultant role for a while. Hopefully my general knowledge of h&s will be an advantage.

For those starting their career in h&s I think the position has become more difficult because there is a tendency to pigeon-hole people. Hence possibly the best type of career is a construction related one where you deal with many aspects of h&s - if you can put up with all the aggravation which goes with it.