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Posted By Paul T9
Hi all
After some opinions here and would be glad of any advice good or bad. I’ve held my NGC for a number of years have been the company’s health and safety rep for the last five years and I have achieved Tech IOSH status. I’m also an ex military fire fighter working full time in a similar position with a civilian company, so have a good skill base to build on.
I’m trying to move into a full time health and safety position (not possible with my present employer), to help in this I have self funded a distance learning course for the NEBOSH diploma and I have passed all my exams and I am only awaiting the results of my unit D.
I know the market is not good at the moment but should I start trying now for that new career or wait until I have completed the diploma?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Paul
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Posted By Hugh Maxwell
Well done Paul. The Diploma is worthwhile but time consuming and tough. I am sure this will hold you in godd stead in oyur efforts. You are right that things are not easy currently in the UK job market. This should not deter you from trying though.
You have got to decide where you want to target and go for it! You mention that uyou have fire fighting experience - Fire Officer bias perhaps, or even Fire Risk Assessor?
IOSH will allow you to work towards full membership but the IIRSM may allow you to enter as a Specialist Full Member. This may further strengthen your position as a specialist safety professional.
Have you written a C.V. which specifically links to your HS(E) experience rather than a catch all one?
A good friend of mine left the forces a couple of years ago, wanting a career in Health and Safety but his C.V. was not really saying that. Take whatever Management responsibility and training you have in the area of Fire Safety and H & S and build that into a C.V. which any prospective safety employer would like. Maturity and work experience are sometimes a quality that may employers value. I am not saying this is right or wrong, but in high risk industries, a high risk background can be a preferred quality against inexperience in such fields. Set your sights on what you want, where are you now, where do you want to get - then plan on how you intend to get there!
Good luck.
Hugh
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Posted By Paul T9
Hi Hugh
Thanks. I have targeted my CV on the health and safety side and backed it up with my other skills, as good at getting results and finding solutions to problems. Was in a management position in the RAF but now back down as fire fighter for my present employer (small contract ‘dead man’s shoes’ for promotion) but I have still achieved a great deal for the contract (even paid me a small annual bonus for my IT solutions – design and develop my own databases etc.).
I have looked at IIRSM previously but my funds are limited, especially as self financing for my qualifications but may be able to scrape up the membership fee.
However, is it wiser to await my diploma results before I start chasing that new career?
Best regards
Paul
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Posted By John Fraser
Paul T9
There is nothing to stop you searching for any suitable vacancies now, as you have virtually completed the NEBOSH Dip.
Register with some reputable agencies as you hold no loyalties with your current employer - especially if you are self funding the dip and paying for your own subscription to iosh.
The construction market is difficult to break into right now though.
Could you perhaps go into a sector where you have some decent work experience - perhaps in your earlier working career?
John
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Posted By Paul T9
Thank you for your responses and I will start my job hunting in earnest.
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Posted By Robin M
I left the forces 4 years ago. I then worked as a Plant Operator for a year while a tried to work out what I wanted to do. I put myself through the Construction Certificate and got a job with a construction company as a HSE Coordinator before I even recieved my results. This was an assistant role to a HSE Manager. I was soon promoted to Manager and have now left that company and am now the H&S Manager for a medium sized construction company.
The job market is tough at the moment but certainly don't wait. You are already qualified enough to do many H&S jobs, and you will have the diploma soon enough. Get working in the field now and you will be further on in 5 years time than if you waited.
As previously stated, make sure your CV is good. Look every night on the internet if you can. Get your CV out there with recruitment people (H&S Specialist especially) and something will come along.
Best of luck.
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Posted By Hugh Maxwell
Paul T9, sorry for not coming back sooner. Connectivity problems on my work travels. I would agree with all the advice above. Remember, many SME's don't fully appreciate the importance of health and safety in the workplace. An opening in one career direction may lead to the opportunities for you to sell your health and safety competencies and value to the business. Go for it! It is a tough time at the moment for all job seekers so I think the advice of using a specialist company to support your efforts could be a good option.
Good luck and keep us posted how you get on.
Best regards,
Hugh
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Posted By Paul T9
Thanks again for all the help and guidance, now it is up to me to get it done and yes I will post when (almost put ‘if’) I get a position.
Best Regards
Paul
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