Posted By Ian Bruce Ken, I wish you all the very best of luck. My story is somewhat similar but without the African sunshine for 18years! I worked as a Process Development Engineer within the chemical industry in the UK for 22 years. Lots of safety experience doing risk assessments, preparing safe systems, safety inspection etc. Luckily my employer payed for me to do the NEBOSH Certificate which I passed in 1996. Unluckily, I was made redundant in 1999 and wondered what to do with my life, I was 39 at the time. I thought I'd exploit my safety experience and try for a job as a "safety Professional". It became apparent quite quickly, that to have credibility in my applications I'd need the Diploma Part 1 at least, so enrolled on a course and got a couple of c**p jobs to pay the mortgage while I studied. Nearing the end of the course, I started applying for jobs advertised in SHP. I applied for loads, receiving the magazine monthly as I'd enrolled as an Affiliate member. I was lucky enough to secure a position in 2000 with the Prison Service as an "entry level" professional and then really started to learn the job. I think this was the third advert I'd applied to but timing meant that I'd been rejected several times already before I got the break! I've now moved on to a Senior position with a local council and have never looked back. My advice is get the NVQ. Enrol on the Diploma Part 2 or go via the NVQ route to level 4, that's what I did; and prepare thoroughly before your interviews. Use examples from your experience and relate them to your perception of the job for which your applying. Don't give up and always be prepared to learn from any experience, even if it is negative. Regards, Ian

Posted By John Mackessack Hi Ken, Good advice from the other respondents. Regarding job agencies, try following this web address: http://www.safetynews.co.uk/employment.htm Pretty well all the EHS 'big boys' are listed here. Happy hunting and good luck! John