Posted By Andrew Knowland Hello everyone, I firstly apologise to everyone for the length of this mail, but i need to get the correct information to be able to make the right career decision. I am looking for your experienced advice, as i would like to have a more in depth involvement in Health & safety because it is time after 10 years + for me to leave my current employment. In the job i am currently employed as an Export manager for deep sea & air shipments and also responsible for the H&S of the company (I was also introduced to H&S in a previous job, hence where the interest first arose)which i thoroughly enjoy. I have a competent knowledge in general H&S including Risk assessments and Fire Risk assessments / manual handling and providing documentation, etc over the last ten years or so, but i do not have any formal qualifications to back me up, only my experience through working and dealing with it daily on site (Three warehouses / Vehicle movement / Forklifts / Staff, etc) I do understand that by not having the correct qualification(s) i would have missed various important pieces of information necessary to carry out any H&S 100% so obviously cannot claim to be of expert knowledge but most certainly competent. Majority of my information has been taken from sites likes this for example and applied at work to the best of my ability, but enough to get us through an on site visit and a well done from the inspector from the local council H&S after an accident (involved a staff member falling from a height) My main question is what course would be right for me to gain a noted qualification in H&S in the work place. Would this be a NEBOSH or an IOSH certificate? If so which one would be best and why? as I hope that my years of on site experience(s) do not mean that i would have to gain a school leavers qualification for example. I am not 100% sure where to base my career, but would probably like to work in areas of advising companies of their H&S obligations and improving their existing H&S. I would appreciate any information you could advise for me. Kind regards A Knowland

Posted By Gina Browse I can recommend West Anglia Training Association (WATA) as a NEBOSH course provider. They are outstanding, especially Martin Wells!

Posted By Brigham Just to muddy the waters a bit here. You should look into the NVQ route as your experience should count towards your portfolio of evidence. It's often cheaper as well and you won't fall foul of the famous "NEBOSH" questions.

Posted By Chris Mac What level does an IOSH accredited degree stand up against compared to NEBOSH qualifications

Posted By Chris Mac Thanks for that, I have a BSc myself and was just wondering what a comparable non degree qualification was, so thanks.

Posted By Andrew Knowland I would just to like to try and take this one step further. How do you think (without knowing me)would i fair in trying to gain employment (hopefully around the Bournemouth area)in my sort of chosen field. (This field being one that checks (checks for want of a better word) on businesses and provides necessary advice /training on their existing H&S affairs and what they can do to improve this) Whilst in this employment gaining day release, etc to be able to acheive the Nebosh qualification(s), etc. I could provide a copy my CV so far to see what kind of chance i would have, if this would help any body with advice. Is this just a dream? or is it possible? as it seems to me that there are so many businesses out there with either very little or no H&S at all. Regards Andy

Posted By Philip Roberts Andrew, Bournemouth and Poole College do a 13 week day release Nebosh General certificate course for £1200, just google for more information, best regards Phil

Posted By Andrew Knowland Thank you to all who have given me the feedback to my questions, i appreciate it. Best regards Andy

Posted By John Watson Andrew Good luck with your course when you do it. The absolutely key question to ask any course provider (College, Consultancy etc) offering NEBOSH is what is your FIRST TIME pass rate, how many in percentage terms of your students get credits or better? There are some with poor pass first time rates, so you need to check. You could also ask for the tutorial teams experience, ask for cvs etc. Any company or college that wont provide this when asked I would suggest you avoid. Regards John

Posted By Andrew Knowland Thanks for all the advice. It's nice to know that for someone like me venturing into this somewhat confusing world, that there is good advice to being dealt. Here's hoping for a good price and eventual good exam result, cheers.... Best regards Andy

Posted By CFT Andrew They are both good and qualitatively speaking I suspect there is little to separate them, having so said how many job vacancies ask for the BSC qualification over and above the Nebosh one? If you decided in the future to take the Nebosh diploma then the techniques you will have gained taking a Nebosh Cert will aid you, although one must not think that the diploma is of a similar knowledge level as the Cert, for it is not. Having completed a diploma via open assessment I can assure you it is indeed a huge step upwards from the Cert, as it should quite rightly be. Just a thought for you to consider perhaps. CFT

Posted By Andrew Knowland Hi Simon Thanks for your post. I have looked at the Southampton College site but could not find any details for some reason? perhaps they are now full. I would however appreciate any details you may have about the course. Please pm me when you are able too, as i am still struggling with who to go with at the best cost effective amount near my area. I think i may find that it would be more difficult to do the day release as oppsosed to completing the two block courses (through use of holidays)and having it done and dusted where my current job is still involved. Regards Andy