Hello I have completed the NEBOSH General certificate and I work full time and have done for three years now. What would be the next logical step in terms of my career development? I like the idea of attending University part time and doing a undergrad degree but is that necessary? would doing a level 5 NVQ be best or the NEBOSH diploma.

Also if I do the above what would be the step after that I understand that experiance is key but I would like the education to back it up. 

Cheers. 

I think it depends which qualification would be best for your workplace, & any plans to move on. I'm CMIOSH with a cognate degree and have never considered the NEBOSH Diploma - it seemed, to me, to be better suited to more industrial workplaces than I ever had any intention of working in.

There is one downside to doing anything other than the NEBOSH Diploma - you will spend the next 20+ years explaining that your qualification is equivalent and being passed over by recruitment agencies because their seearch engines only look for NEBOSH...

Hi Oliver,

Having recently completed the Diploma it is a great learning experience and I personally learnt alot from it. I gives you a lot more background than the Certificate but it allows you to build up the knowledge that you have gained from doing the certificate.

Having said that, it takes a lot of time and dedication (revision etc. I think it is around 150-200 hours extra revision thats required before each exam however if you have a good memory you wont necessarily need to do that much)

The Diploma is made up of 3 x 3 hour exams (which you can only do every 6 months in Jan and July) and one dissertation (Unit DNI). I guess it really depends on your learning style.

Personally I am not any good with exams however I did pass all first time (thats a real surprise considering the depth that was required for the answers!)

Good luck on whatever path you take.

Hello

I am currently doing the NCRQ diploma, it is great has a great support structure and is easy to follow with case studies that give an insight into real events.

It is expected to become just as recognised as NEBOSH which is also a plus but I have the intention to do a MSC so my view could be biased as I will be continuing onto a university Masters.

I really do recommend NCRQ though if your company or potential companies recognise the qualification (most ask for equivalent now so they will recognise) if they do not explain you end up with 2 certificates at level 6 and a Diploma at Level 6 equivalent to the Degree Level.

hope this has helped.

Shaun.

Originally Posted by: Waz

Bridgette Leathley produced an article in the IOSH magazine in November 2016 with all the elements for each mode of study.  This was further expanded on by CADUK in April this year (they assess NVQs) and they look at particular the benefits of NVQ (I am an assessor too - not for them).

In my own experience, having trained the NEBOSH IDip, Assessed NVQs I think it is down to the learning style and acceptance of challenge that the learner must consider.  If you produce work for feedback on the Diploma - its generally not personable, however the NVQ Assessor is just that, speaks to you, looks at your strengths and weaknesses and works on you the individual and not the class as a whole.

Best of luck, but I do feel the move from NEBOSH Gen Cert to degree is a step too far.

Waz

Yes I feel it may be a step too far also but I think it is what path I want to follow in the future. Shaun Baker I havent heard of the NCRQ diploma I will have a look into that. What seperates this from an NVQ? is that next step for you a masters after this  NCRQ diploma? Also how long does it take to complete?

Considering employability, recruiters seek and prefer ones with the NEBOSH Diploma; it has been the way so far here in the Middle East.

All roads lead to Rome - or should i say CMIOSH !

It all depends on the individuals learning style as to which path you take/go down to achieve CMIOSH.

As for recruiters only looking for The NEBOSH Diploma i dont buy into that, im now into my 15th year as a health & safety professional and have changed jobs several times during that period and i have never had a problem getting interviews even though i dont have that qualification myself.

I did the NVQ Level 4 in 2003 and then several years later the NVQ Level 5 Diploma, add to this numerous other useful qualifications such as CPCS A.P.

For me the NEBOSH Diploma is not the be all and end all but neither is any of its equivalents either, as you also need other qualities to be the rounded safety profesional thats required today., such as experience, soft skills and the ability at times to be a good saleman to get the Health & Safety message across to the guys in your organisation and thats from right at the top way down to the coal face.

Good luck with whatever option you choose.

Allan