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Jake  
#41 Posted : 14 February 2019 17:19:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

To add to the discussion I'd say that my strengths are not in technical expertise (or reciting legislation verbtim - I'm with Mr.Flibble on that one!) nor technical qualifications (I don't have any NEBOSH or IOSH qualifications, though I am CMIOSH) but in practice bsuiness-centric HSE that makes sense to commercial people, and leading teams to achieve the same!

Nor do i think industry experience is essential (but an ability to quickly adapt to different cultures and organisation is a must) as I've moved from retail to oil & gas, to warehouse & distribution to manufactruing in the space of 10 years in increasing more senior H&S roles.

It still surprises me to this day how many H&S professionals seem to still operatine in the old skool way, quoting legislation, telling business what they need to etc instead of integrating themelf into the management team and helping those teams do it themself..

If/when I recruit again for my team I won't be mandating any IOSH/NEBOSH qualification, but will look for a savy influential business professional that has a passion for risk management, and someone who can learn and absorb information - for me these are the key ingredients.

thanks 2 users thanked Jake for this useful post.
aud on 14/03/2019(UTC), bxuxa on 30/12/2019(UTC)
jaybhatia  
#42 Posted : 14 February 2019 20:30:26(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
jaybhatia

Having looked at numerous jobs over recent weeks that are appearing on the job websites, then the majority are only asking for the Nebosh Certificate.  I can only assume that the lack of candidates with the diploma is down to the fact that the cost of the course has made it prohibitive.  When you are potentially looking at £9k for the course, I can see why that would be a problem.

I am lucky in that I did the NTU ProDipSHEM course just before the price doubled to £9k and the course was scrapped.Nox VidMate Mobdro

Still what companies are asking for warrants

Dave5705  
#43 Posted : 15 February 2019 10:19:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Dave5705

There's concensus amongst most it seems.

1. Most employment agencies, lets face it, are salesmen looking for leads and finding products to sell to that lead. They get a lead, (a role to fill) but they know nothing about the role except what they are told because they cant be experts in everything. The company manager tells the agency what they want, because they are used to 'telling' not asking. If a company have told the agency to look for the wrong thing, not done their homework, then that is indicative of how seriously they take Safety and Health in the company. Often they would invest more time if it were a new piece of production machinery or software. I suppose you've got to take that indicator and make a decision based upon it.

2. Specialist knowledge may give you an extra tool in your box, I agree. I have expertise in certain areas that I have worked in and that helps/will help in the future but to be honest it's never been a problem to me, understanding how things work or why a process neeeds to do what it does. I can grasp that pretty quickly to the level I need. We are not there to replace the designer (for example) we are there to put things into his mind that were not there before, and hopefully we can do that because we have an understanding of factors affecting safety and behaviour. I know I don't have any knowledge of (say) a bread making production line, but I might well be the only one there who thinks... hang on, what if...! Often expertise can put you TOO close to the system/activity/environment to see the bigger picture don't you think? Too busy wondering if theyCAN and not always wondering if they SHOULD. I think a risk aware person has a role to play even if they are not an expert in (say) bread making.

If I were a HR Director wanting an expert in bread making, and I didn't know anything about bread making, I'd ask a bread maker to help me write the job spec. Why don't they do the same with H&S jobs? You can't blame the agencies really....

I'm feeling hungry now...

thanks 2 users thanked Dave5705 for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 15/02/2019(UTC), SJP on 08/01/2020(UTC)
pseudonym  
#44 Posted : 15 February 2019 15:42:45(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
pseudonym

Funny that. I had exactly the same thoughts at a recent 'interview' when given the alleged job description. 

I was left wondering who had drafted it - job was for QHSE Manager yet only qualifications asked for were NEBOSH Diploma and 'experience of internal audits' - No Quality or Environmental (or equivalent qualifications for H&S). And yes it did leave me feeling that perhaps these people really didn't know what they were after?

Mark-W  
#45 Posted : 11 March 2019 09:31:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

Sector knowledge is vital. But I don't think it should be the deal bbreaker some think it should be. I've picked up a new client, well about a month ago. The make signs, in the first month I was asked to review all the RA. When I politely refused as I'd never seen the fitters actually working so that meant I couldn't comment on the RA. I asked for a site visit and all the management team looked in horror that I wanted to leave the office and see the guys working. Apparently the last bloke just blindly signed off all the RA saying the fitters were the experts and they must be right.

Not sure how long this client will keep me as I seem to have a very hands on approiach and the previous person was very reactive and didn't think about looking at the work process to try and prevent issues from accuring.

thanks 3 users thanked Mark-W for this useful post.
aud on 14/03/2019(UTC), SJP on 08/01/2020(UTC), Jay.NewbyG on 15/12/2021(UTC)
jmaclaughlin  
#46 Posted : 07 January 2020 15:36:04(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jmaclaughlin

Originally Posted by: jim4244 Go to Quoted Post

Hmmm.... Well, to be honest, I am sick and tired coming across so called HSE professionals in supervisory and management roles who have no formal or recognised qualifications and are not members of a recognised professional body.

It makes me wonder why I wasted tens of thosands of pounds and sleepless nights studying over the last 19 years to become a CMIOSH whilst working full time in various H&S roles across the globe.

It would appear that anyone can simly "have a go" at Health & Safety regardless of their background, education, experience or qualification.....

The other side of that particular coin is H&S professionals trained to a high academic level in the construction or railway industry with next to zero appreciation of major hazards (due to lack of relevant construction/railway experience)  whilst pulling someone up for not wearing impact goggles or suchlike.

In which case I presumably should be bemoaning the thousands of pounds I have spent on safety critical courses?.

 

O'Donnell54548  
#47 Posted : 08 January 2020 08:08:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
O'Donnell54548

Originally Posted by: Rdot Go to Quoted Post

Hi all,

I have been receiving CVs for a SHEQ advisor role and in the main the people applying are holding a nebosh general or construction cert.

Now I know qualifications aren't everything and experience also plays a key part.

I always thought that as a professional HS person holding NEBOSH diploma or equivalent qualification would be a minimum when applying for a professional SHEQ role.

I just wanted to know what the thoughts are on this and maybe this is the way the job market currently stands.

(Also i am not knocking anyone who holds SHEQ / HS role with a cert   - i just want to see what everyones thoughts are so i know how to progress with finding the right person)

Thanks

To return to the original question. Remember that you are advertising a multiple function role. H&S will only be one of these, which will also include environment and quality control. Do not make the mistake of requiring a 'jack of all trades' and then expecting them to be a master of one!

thanks 1 user thanked O'Donnell54548 for this useful post.
SJP on 08/01/2020(UTC)
O'Donnell54548  
#48 Posted : 08 January 2020 09:31:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
O'Donnell54548

Originally Posted by: Rdot Go to Quoted Post

Hi all,

I have been receiving CVs for a SHEQ advisor role and in the main the people applying are holding a nebosh general or construction cert.

Now I know qualifications aren't everything and experience also plays a key part.

I always thought that as a professional HS person holding NEBOSH diploma or equivalent qualification would be a minimum when applying for a professional SHEQ role.

I just wanted to know what the thoughts are on this and maybe this is the way the job market currently stands.

(Also i am not knocking anyone who holds SHEQ / HS role with a cert   - i just want to see what everyones thoughts are so i know how to progress with finding the right person)

Thanks

To return to your original question. Remember you are recruiting to a multi-functional role. I addittion to H&S the successful applicant wil also be responsible for environment and quality. Do not advertise for a 'jack of all trades' and then expect them top be a master of one!

thanks 1 user thanked O'Donnell54548 for this useful post.
webstar on 08/01/2020(UTC)
RayRapp  
#49 Posted : 08 January 2020 10:11:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

In the past I have written adverts for H&S adviser, manager, FRA person, etc. It never ceases to amaze me the variety of people who apply. Some without even a fraction of the requirements - hey ho.

It's true that qualifications alone do not maketh the man (woman) alone. However it is a good starting point without knowing the candidate.

Roundtuit  
#50 Posted : 08 January 2020 10:21:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Would you be answering this post that had run its course by 11th March 2019 had it not been resurrected by a spammer?

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 08/01/2020(UTC), A Kurdziel on 08/01/2020(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#51 Posted : 08 January 2020 10:21:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Would you be answering this post that had run its course by 11th March 2019 had it not been resurrected by a spammer?

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 08/01/2020(UTC), A Kurdziel on 08/01/2020(UTC)
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