Hi all,

I am currently looking into further qualifications in health & safety. I have my NEBOSH General Certificate along with various other training courses completed through my employer. I hold a full time role as a health & safety assistant reporting to the HSE Manager.

Could anyone advise what they feel is the best route to take? Is there a vast difference between the two in terms of learning and professional status? Any advice would be welcome, especially anyone who has studied and combined this with a full time role along with a young family!

Thanks.

Hi Chris,

I am in the same boat at the minute, as I am on a FTC with my current position I don't think they are going to be willing for me to have a day a week off or a week off here and there for a diploma, though of course it looks great on the CV- but at the same time at least the NVQ allows you to show you understand what you are doing without the pressure of on the spot exams, so i suppose they both have pros and cons?!

Jodie

The only way that IOSH treats the qualifications, NVQ5 v Diploma differently is in the process beyond completion and if you want to move forward to CMIOSH after Grad IOSH. If you want to achieve that level of recognition and professionalism i is worth visiting the membership pages on the IOSH website to see that the IPD routes differ slightly to examine either your knowledge and understanding, if you've completed an NVQ or the application of knowledge in your job role if you have undertaken the diploma. Worth at least spending a little time on looking at the 'post qualification 'process. NVQs are generally a cheaper option, and can overall on comparison take less time than a diploma. Consider looking at success rates, testimonials and / or other learner experiences for both routes. Above all don't think one is less valuable than the other. Yes diplomas seem to improve knowledge on the surface but an NVQ must encourage you to demonstrate your knowledge alongside the performance standards that are assessed. It can be argued that the diploma will cover areas of knowledge that are not applicable to your job role but similarly you must check that you can demonstrate that you can meet all the competencies within the NVQ. Any provider worth their salt will ensure either route is suitable for you, or not! Good luck and happy hunting.

I recently went down the NVQ route, and found it relatively painless. If your work load means that you are actively involved in H&S on a daily basis, then you will already have a large percentage of the documents already to hand. So it looks like NVQ would suit you. Especially if time away from work is an issue. Don’t think it will be easy, it will take time. I think that completion within 12 months is achievable, if each week you devote 2 evenings and a half day on a weekend.

However, I do agree with previous contributors that the Diploma route looks far better on a CV. Take a look at the jobs on offer on any recruiting website. The vast majority ask for a Dip holder, it is extremely rare for anyone to even mention the NVQ route. For some unknown reason the employers do not seem to acknowledge or even mention the NVQ at all as an option. Most employers take advice from the recruiting companies on the wording of their advertisements. So maybe the lack of employers asking for NVQ is down to poor advice from recruiters.?

It all comes down to you. If you want to make a long term career out of H&S, then I suggest that the Diploma will serve you better, as it looks more professional on a CV and opens more doors. Distance learning is an option but can be time consuming and costly.

However if you are a busy family man with a busy workload, then take the NVQ.

Chris,

If you are looking to get CMIOSH then you can prefer a non NEBOSH/NVQ route as well.

You could always do a post graduate diploma at a uni that is recognised by IOSH and then complete a dissertation so you have an MSc.

Many units offer a post graduate diploma via distance learning.

Other posters have outlined the options so there is plenty there to think about. Have you asked your managers opinion?
If they have the NEBOSH Diploma thay could possibly guide you through it - the same goes for NVQ of course.

I did the Diploma by distance learning over two years as I chose to do one module at a time because this suited my learning style. The only time out (apart from the multiple hours of home study) was a workshop for each module.

Having a young family could be a major distraction in studying for the Diploma - studying 10 hours a week does not sound much but believe me it is!

Best of luck!

The NEBOSH Diploma is most "quoted" rather than "recognised" because of the perceived bias ( I.e ignorance ??) amonst agencies & employers who do not seem to be factually informed of the alternative qualifications.

We have had this debate of the NEBOSH Diploma vs University Degress several times--and one can agree to disagree.

The term "recognised" --what does it mean--is it by an expert/competent professional body/organisation etc