Posted By Andy Walker I know this has been discussed many times before but I'm feeling a little mischevious today I'm constantly reading comments regarding the quality of advisors with only General cert regardless of how much experience we have (12 years personnaly and I am currently studying for diploma) It peeves me a little when talking to graduates (0 Years experience) who come out with comments along the lines of "How do people with just the certificate get jobs like that?" Perhaps we Tech IOSH should start a revolution and form our own club. Rant over. Stab vest on. Take cover Andy

Posted By Frank Hallett Hi Andy Yes I know it's sad - but this is Saturday and I'm taking a respite from setting up the now unfortunately necessary home CCTV system. The whole issue of "competence" tends to get very polarised very quickly as the middle ground of "acknowledged to be effective, can provide relevant academic qualifications and calls for help when necessary" doesn't look good enough on the CV for the majority of employers who believe that a specific [or any] academic qualification is essential! My CV is rather short on the formal academic qualifications [especially Degrees and the like] for a whole range of reasons; but I still achieved and maintain the CFIOSH grade totally independantly of any employer; & provide what my clients actually need rather than what they start out thinking they need. Moral of this little entry - if I can do it - so can anyone with the right approach There is room for academics whose only failing is lack of practical experience [like youth, the effect changes with age] in exactly the same way as there is room for the less academic but extremely practically experienced. They should be complementing [not complimenting] each others competence - not continually trying to compete - the world of work actually needs both! Did you like the alliteration in that last bit? Frank Hallett