Hi Daveyb,

I would recommend you get a NEBOSH Qualification, get yourself registered with IOSH and send them an up to date CV for consideration on membership, and just start applying for jobs! I was just jumped from Affiliate to Technician which will help me to get a bit more recognition where I currently work and any other jobs i get into. You need at least NEBOSH National General Certificate to be considered for Associate Membership and upwards. I know it seems expensive to start off with but in all honesty if it gets you doing what you love then it's worth it! If you want you can pm me, happy to chat.

Jodie

It is as long as it covers ENTO Standards and a relevant position has been held for 5 years and received above 60 credits. Either way there's no harm in looking at other qualifications but I would definitely get membership with iosh. I only speak of NEBOSH as that was my experience and I am still going through it now with my Diploma, I've not had anything to do with TUC if I'm honest

The TUC diploma is a level 3 qual, equivilent to the nebosh general cert. It will get you techIOSH grade if you have demonstrable experience in an H&S role.

Apply for any that you think you are capable of doing or will gain alot from it. My current position is my first health and safety position, I am part personal assistant and part health and safety, which is now moving more onto the health and safety side due to my qualifications and they understand that is the career I want to pursue. Just make sure you sell yourself properly and not short.

Please be aware depending on how IOSH feel you may not automatically go through to Tech- they might initially recommend you for Associate first which is still something to be happy with. I think they are looking at recommendations for change of membership in October/November, the membership part of the site will let you know. It might be worth starting your CPD now as well to get you thinking about experience you ahve had and stuff that comes up etc. I started mine as soon as I joined (end of June) and so far it has been really helpful

Similarly to Ellis I am in a 50/50 role, my first health and safety role- part health and safety part personal assistant/admin to the Head of Operations- though he is good to me and knows I much prefer health and safety and he likes to do his own stuff- I do minutes for meetings and the odd report- the rest of it is me getting to experience health and safety in real time. He even told a new director "it's a godsend we have her here"- nice to get some praise! When I was interviewed they said they wanted to help me get the experience to reflect my qualifications- I'm now doing my diploma and hope my contract can be extended (I'm covering maternity leave).

I was a bit dubious at first but the admin experience has helped me to get a better understanding of the management and organisation part of health and safety- so I would say don't knock it- I wouldn't change it so far!