Posted By hjy Stuart, You don't mention what you graduated in. I was in a similar position to you when I started out - new graduate, no jobs. I would suggest you skip the Certificate and go to the Diploma or equivalent. As a graduate you should be more than able to cope with the academic demands at that level and is no need to start at the bottom of the qualification tree. There are usually a better range of jobs available for Dip1 rather than just the Certificate. Where you may struggle is lack of experience in technical aspects of industry/safety. However, if you opt for a classroom based course rather than distance learning then you should find that others on the course who are working in a relevant industry will be able to help you out to at least get you through the course. From there it's a mixture of luck and being in the right place at the right time. Some unpaid job shaddowing might help or a non-safety job in a relevant industry while you study. I finally got my first job from someone on the second part of the diploma course while I was studying part 1 and from there I never looked back. Good Luck!

Posted By Carrie Ellerby Hi Stuart, sorry to say I disagree with hjy, I believe that you will need to do the certificate for a good grounding of health and safety issues prior to going onto further study. If you have just graduated you will have very little experience of the workplace and I personally don't believe that health and safety is something you should just be able to fast track in because you can study at degree level. Maybe even go out and get a bit of experience in a factory or somewhere while you study - you never know your luck once your employers find out you're studying H&S!!

Posted By Alexander Falconer Extract from Nebosh Website (www.nebosh.org.uk) Entry requirements The Diploma assumes prior learning that is equivalent to the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. Entry requirements are strict and students embarking on a course leading to the NEBOSH level 4 Diploma must hold a qualification in health and safety that is accredited at level 3 or above. Students whose qualification is not recent will be required by course providers to demonstrate that their knowledge has been kept up-to-date, for instance by extensive involvement in, or study of, health and safety. Course providers will be able to offer further information regarding entry requirements. Hope this helps!

Posted By Julie Watson Stuart I agree with the last statement. At my present company I enquired about joining the H&S Committee not realising that I would be the only person with any qualifications (I only have my IOSH -managing safely) and interest in H&S......It's been a bit of a struggle but 6 months down the line attitudes are changing, I'm the chairman of the committee (and it's now a proactive one) and I'm in the middle of my NEBOSH I find it a really good course and hopefully I will start my dip 4 later in the year all that with just asking one question!!!!!!! Good luck Julie