This is my first post so please go easy on me! 

My background is Environmental Health with over 11 years in the public sector in the area of Environmental Protection. I am now seeking to change my career toward H&S, most likely in the private sector due to the percentage of job opportunites available. My BSc (Hons) degree (cognate) has allowed me to obtained Grad IOSH and I have enrolled on the NEBOSH Diploma (self-funded) to strengthen my knowledge base. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far and i can see why many H&S professional are intelliegent people!!. I also have a Diploma in Acoustic and Noise Control. 

Until I complete my NEBOSH I was initially under the impression that I would have difficulty securing any H&S positions primarily due to having minimal H&S experience. 

My ideal position would be to secure a post where i could learn on the job, complete my Diploma, and apply my transferrible skills gained from my current position. What makes the task perhaps more difficult I am relocating back to Northern Ireland where the job pool is more limited.

However I have seen many job descriptions which all vary in required qualificiations and experience so I know the above is possible if I structre my CV to play on my strengths and skills. 

Does anyone have any words of encouragement that I am on the right track to pursuing my new career in a sensible manner. Any other tips or advice is greatly appreciated? 

Cheers

I'm an 'ex' EHO who moved into the big, wide world in 1999 .. yes, I've been back into the public sector but social services & NHS not enforcement. I think the biggest challenge you may face is the loss of your powers - you lose your 'stick' & only have carrots, which we all know are not that tempting...

However, EHOs are 'liked' by many industries as we are seen as having transferable skills, being flexible and very good at problem solving - my degree has always been an advantage and as my background was H&S, I never went for NEBOSH & have never needed it - got CMIOSH the old way with a cognate degree.

I was advised to go into consultancy as a stepping stone - I didn't much like the job but it was good advice & gave me some 'shelter' as I learnt to work in a much bigger pond. I'm now working in a College and, personally, I'd never go back into local authority enforcement.

Your positive attitude, willingless to embrace challenges and self develop shines through. This will stand you in good stead. In simple terms health and safety is about being committed, willing to learn, being inquisitive and asking questions. You appear to be well on your way.

Do not ever think what you have already learnt will not assist you going forward, you will find previous knowledge invaluable and will often let you see things from a different perspective. This is a positive as you will become a more rounded health and safety professional as a result.

I have in the recent past employed two health and safety advisors who were both less qualifed/expereinced than other candidates I interviewed, but what shone through was their soft skills, attitude and desire. Both are now diploma qualifed and on their way to attaining CMIOSH and CMaPS.

Do not under sell yourself and remember learn/learn/learn. I wish you all the best and a merry Christmas!

Many thanks folks for your replies, it is nice to see a range of responses, all positive i might add. I know I can make the jump and perhaps I realise its not a jump but more of a side step! 

I figure I will be a long time working until I retire and while I am reasonably young and enthusatic I will continue to enjoy studying for my NEBOSH Dip. 

Transferrable skills are becoming more important in todays fluid market but this is not something that I think many people can easily utilise. This is something i really need to fine tune and use to my advantage.

I do look forward to the next 6-12 months and thanks again for your comments.