Posted By Mrs Christine Burrows I gained my IOSH Qualification 2 years ago whilst still working as a Civil Servant in the RAF but have yet to use it! the reason I believe is because I am a woman and not many women have this qualification, so where do I go now? what kind of job could I get to be able to use my skills that I have gained as I understand this certificate to be worth its weight in gold (or so I thought). I would welcome any advice please.

Posted By Mrs Christine Burrows Heather I wish I was joking but I am not and there does not seem to be much call for it either, I have the IOSH Managing Safely and not the NEBOSH one as it was decided that I should not go any further and a change of post would be the best all round for me at that time by my superiors who placed me elsewhere in an Admin Post whereby this qualification is just sitting in my frame and not being used! so now what is what I ask? thanks anyway for your reply.

Posted By Jonathan Breeze Christine, Without wishing to venture into the gender issues you have raised (because as a bloke, I'm not really qualified to!), can I suggest that you may have been oversold the Managing Safely course. If you are applying for roles in a general management position then yes it is of benefit to you, if all other things are equal between you and the other candidate. But if you are looking for roles as a dedicated safety professional, then most employers would probably be looking for a bit more. Take a look at the IOSH membership structure at this link: http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...=corecompetent.structure The Managing Safely course will enable you to apply for membership at Affiliate level. Alternatively, Check this with the professional development and membership information sections of the site. I hope this info helps you and I trust Heather & Julie have been able to dispel your fears.

Posted By Jonathan Breeze Julie, It can be hard trying to explain to a 6' 4" built like a brick sh**house angry man why he needs to do things in a certain way and not how he wants to if you're a bloke too! In fact I would argue that in such a situation, the less testosterone present, the better. But that's a side issue to the question asked...

Posted By Heather Aston I think that was really our point... However it does result in the award of a certificate and it's clear that some employers who might be trying to achieve competency on the cheap or who really don't understand that H&S is a profession instead of something the facilities manager does in their spare time seem to think it's sufficient. After all - health and safety - it's all just common sense innit? No offence meant to the original poster, who will by now be looking at the NEBOSH national cert if she is serious about making a career in H&S (Good luck BTW) Heather

Posted By Heather Aston Christine Good luck - please don't be put off posting here by the current row that we're having about competence - it's a sensitive subject with we H&S folk as you will find. You will find the NEBOSH cert easier if you can start to get involved in some H&S issues as well, as it will all start to make more sense if you are applying it practically. Suggestions - get involved with your H&S committee, get involved in risk assessments (I'm sure whoever does risk assessment in your area would be glad of some help), get involved in workplace inspections and audits, see if you can get involved in some accident investigations. Let us know how it goes. Heather

Posted By Julie Watson Christine Good luck with the NEBOSH if you need any help, advice or support you know where we are!!! Julie

Posted By Heather Aston Thanks for the thought - but I think you mean Christine. I've already got all my bits of paper! Heather

Posted By Stephen J W Clegg. Christine if you are coming to the end of your term, it might be an idea to attend the General Certificate as part of the re-training package the RAF offer? Good luck with everything you do! Steve.