Posted By Veronica Napier Hi there, I am not yet a safety expert or know it all having just gained my first HSE role - I also have Gen Cert. These are my thoughts as someone who walked down the scary path of entry level HSE recruitment! I myself did not really have a preferred area of expertise I wanted to go into, maybe construction I suppose. I working for a company who luckily cover a wide spectrum of activites (maintenance, security, cleaning, trades etc) - a facilities management co in the telecomms field. I suppose as I gain my experience and knowledge I might develop a sense of where I want to specialise in...Anyway - I don't really know of any specific course but I would definately say a course in fire risk assessment would be a good one. I also think that in addition to fire course you should also undertake a further general H&S course i.e. NEBOSH Dip or NVQ 3/4 Risk Management cert/degree etcor similar. I think this because it these cover not only more about fire then what the NEBOSH Cert did but also other legislation and subjects etc that interlink with fire as a risk and a legislation subject. I think you would definately need to have more than the basic H&S knowlegde that Gen Cert give you. There are Qualified Fire Inspector and an International Fire Safety course on www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk. I guess there will be similar things out there. If you are currently employed why not volunteer to be a fire marshall/warden or safety rep for your company? You don't say what you do currently. Ask if there is anything on the H&S / fire side you can assist with...you never know they might need someone in the future for that kind of thing. You could look for work in insurance as a fire claims assesor or fire risk assessor/manager undertaking surveys and risk assessments on insured properties. Also contact the Fire Brigade - fire inspector or fire damage surveyor (or whatever they are called!) Hope I have been of help or have given you something to think about. Let me know what you think. Get on the net searching if you are not already doing so...! Good luck

Posted By Gary Beckley - SHE Management (UK) Ltd Dear Afron NEBOSH now do a The NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate which may be of interest? They say it "aims to build on the success of the National General Certificate. The Fire Certificate has been designed for managers, supervisors, employee representatives and those embarking on a role with fire safety responsibility and aims to equip holders to contribute to the conduct and review of fire risk assessments and fire preventive and protective measures within most workplaces". I do not think the list of training providers is available yet but we are looking to gain accreditation for the first exams in June '06. More details on the NEBOSH website or otherwise give me a call on 01622 618613 (office times) Regards Gary