Posted By a grá

Hello

I have just completed the NVQ 4 and I am a little dissapointed. I did not really get much out of it, it only confirmed to me that I am managing health and safety to an acceptable level. I was originally going to go for the NVQ 5 but now I think I should go and do the NTU diploma in order to gain more knowledge.
Is it worth my while doing this as I now have GradIOSH already? If I do the diploma, will I learn a load of information that I wont actually use at work? I may be able to get my employer to pay for it but they will only pay for the diploma or NVQ 5 they wont pay for both. Any comments would be gretly appreciated.

Posted By peter gotch 1
a gra, sorry too much hassle in putting in the accent!

This H&S professional with nearly 30 years experience in the profession [+ what I did before - the most important part of my education to prepare me for the profession!] has serious doubts as to the added value that you would get from NEBOSH on top of NVQ.

I think you would gain much more from thinking about what your current job does in terms of limiting your understanding of occupational H&S, and then targeting IPD/CPD around this, e.g. if you have construction works upcoming at existing facility considering doing the 5 day CITB course.

Regards, Peter

Posted By CFT
Having completed both NVQ 4 & 5, if you were disappointed with 4 then I personally think you will be throwing your money away undertaking level 5. Whilst it is quite different the fundamental way in which you achieve it will be the same method and if indeed you have a thirst for taught knowledge then perhaps a diploma or cognate3 degree would be more suitable for you.

I would much rather guide you to apply your current level of knowledge in the workplace and expand knowledge by hands-on situations/experience and achieve an enviable level of expertise that would sit extremely well on your CV.

I will often research a subject purely because I want to know all there is to know about it; usually prompted by a work-place situation that tests me to the full, and research to ensure the correct application of information, or indeed to ensure what advice I give is accurate; that however works for me; only you can be the judge of what you truly desire.

CFT

Posted By Pete Longworth
This sort of thread is very common on this forum in one form or another.
If I were an employer funding someone's training the first question I would ask would be is it necessary to go further than NVQ4? The next question I would ask is does the training on offer add value to my organisation in terms of the training being appropriate and relevant to the job description? Those are questions I believe you should be asking yourself. Quite often we see people on this forum asking what they should study after the NVQ4 or diploma as if it goes without saying that they should be involved in academia ad infinitum. If someone is self funding then fair enough, but if funded by an employer then the value it adds to your job should be the first consideration I feel.

Posted By Mark Taylor

I have found great satisfaction in completing both NVQ 3 and 4, I also carried on and passed the NEBOSH Construction Certificate and Competency for noise assessments within the Institute of Acoustics (Tech IOA). The NVQ 3 & 4 stage gave me a a way to record my practical experience and also to plan the route I needed in my future HS&E experience. After 15 years as a full time HS&E advisor,i would not have completed any other way to gain my experience, it has been valuable to myself. I am still planning for future qualifications and of course my ongoing CPD in line with my present CMIOSH.