Posted By Steve Kirk I will soon begin studying for the NEBOSH certificate, and would like advice on what is the most useful course to take on completion of the NEBOSH? I am currently employed within the training dept of a large distribution company, giving inductions and training new staff for thier first week with the company, covering fire drills basic H&S and Manual Handling Techniques. There are so many different courses available it is difficult to decide which way to go! I would be grateful of any advice offered. steveyk@ntlworld.com

Posted By Ian Bruce Steve, I was in the same position as you in 1996, passing the certificate, wanting to enter the field of H&S but not knowing which way to move forward. To some extent, my hand was forced by being made redundant! This provided me with some financial back-up to allow me to choose a safety qualification that would give me credibility when I started to apply for safety jobs. Based on advice given by an old safety colleague, I enrolled on a distance learning package for the NEBOSH Diploma Part 1 and worked in a couple of naff jobs while I studied. The course was pretty tough, I felt, but very thorough, giving a good level of background over and above the certificate. Immediately prior to the exams, I started to apply for safety jobs advertised in SHP and was lucky enough to secure the first job I applied for, in a prison, as safety officer. My interviewers later told me that the Diploma had swung my application, all other applicants only having the certificate. I then decided to go down the NVQ route and attained level 4 about one year ago, which helped me get a better paid job with the local council. I hope this has helped. I would recommend trying to get into the prison service as a starting point for any safety career. There is so much variety - living accomodation, chapels, kitchen, industrial workshops, viral hazards. Great experience and a really thorough test of your knowledge, character and ability to multi-task. All the sorts of things that employers look for. Good luck and don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to chat further.