Posted By Andy Cummings Safety 110 I was one who posted a positive note on the question on the young lady looking for assistance and am in full support of some form of recognised apprenticeship for HS professionals. We do have to look at this in a practical way the majority of 16 year old have little or no work or life experience which is a major part of our role when making decisions. I would suggest that a system could be set up to coincide with the syllables run by technical collages and work placements used with a bias on working with health and safety departments within specific industries. It has worked before can anyone remember Police cadets two years selective training and and experience gaining before being allowed to formally start training as a full time police officer (mabay something the HSE could take on board) This is a good subject and it would be intresting to hear other points on this.

Posted By Safety110 Yes, This should hopefully be an interesting thread. With regards to myself I have trained up one person and found it to be very successful although, and wait for it, yes they went to work else where but we still keep in touch and I think the person is coming back to work with us on a part time basis, agreeing it all on Tuesday. I started a new Lad four months ago, he came to me as his Father was one of our Clients and was very interested in H&S. As with all Clients we try and get them to manage their own H&S and recommended he and a more Senior figure within the company sit the NEBOSH Construction, after this he was so interested he came across to us, absolutely no problems and is a total pleasure to work with. I immediately set out to put in place a professional development plan over 5 years to which he with come out with hopefully become fully accredited in H&S, CDM Coordination, Environmental training and after 5 years a commercial qualification in managing business. After this we would really be able to sit down with him and get him to tell us what route he wants to go. (fingers crossed he doesn't want to become a Postman or something, no disrespect to Postman) (life without Postman, mm, no bills..) But anyway, I thought this was a good plan although it may change slightly going with what type of work we are concentrating on. Our company would be more than happy to take School Leavers. Look forward to other posts. Safety110

Posted By Martyn Hendrie If the "young lady" was 16 how did she manage to contribute to a thread in the 'members forum'? See thread "Should there be an age limit for this website?" A spoof me thinks!

Posted By gerry.marr Spoof or not, It is worth a discussion. Positive only please!!!! Thanks

Posted By gerry.marr Yes, I can under stand that, would it be correct in saying that there are opportunities for young School Leavers to come through the ranks and be positioned in a position of importance in H&S. I think there is a gap in getting H&S Guy's whom have a great deal of experience from holding a legal qualification. We just don't have the time to do say a CPE and there is not a NVQ or similar work based qualification whom say the Law Society accredit. Maybe going off on one here!! I'll stop whilst I'm ahead.

Posted By Safety110 Yes, H&S Advising and Consultancy comes in may different shapes, sizes and forms, with regards to teaching H&S we always feel that we should have some sort of accreditation to deliver a course or training. Looking at the big world of work, Apprentices are shadowed by Tradesman whom teach them more than they learn at college (well, thats what they tell us). If we had an apprenticeship we could start off with tasks like; proof reading documents, administration duties on to fire alarm duties, noise assessments and so on, a little like starting off with sweeping the floor onto first, second, third year apprentice etc. I am sure if these guys where to go out on inspections of work places for years and where involved shadowing people like the CDMC they could gain enough experience to do the job in hand.

Posted By Pete Longworth Although the idea of a health and safety apprenticeship is laudable I believe that there would be few takers amongst 16 year olds. I just don't believe that the subject is "glamorous" enough or practical enough to attract the average 16 year old. However I do believe that there should be a dedicated module as part of part of every apprenticeship on the subject of health and safety to take the apprentice up to at least NGC level ie level 3. Whether this is in the form of an NVQ type module or done by examination could be decided on the particular needs and abilities of the young person in question but at least it would go some way to ensure that all apprentices had a thorough grounding in health and safety before "coming out of their time"

Posted By Tabs I am a time-served engineering apprentice, 5 years mech/prod, first year was "off the job" (apprentice school, learning the basics). It is a very good idea and that type of scheme would certainly produce very well rounded entry level H&S advisers, BUT My thoughts go to who pays and who benefits? In engineering, the company paid, but there was a job for every one of us as we graduated. What type of company needs H&S people coming through on a regular basis and can afford the significant investment it takes? I am thinking consultancies and big multinationals, but that's about it. Who do you think are the ones who would finance this?

Posted By Stuart Hamilton The level 3 modern apprenticeship was/is an SVQ/NVQ level 3 level which is of similar standing to the NEBOSH certificate. The general route that was discussed was a direct entry for those with the relevant qualifications and aged 16 or over, but with the prospect of completing the award before their 25th birthday (if Local Enterprise Council funded). So in practice you could have a 16 year old (although entry qualifications required suggest it more likely to be a 17 year old)starting the apprenticeship or perhaps a 22/23 year old. If no funding from the LEC (TEC in England I think) then no age restrictions Barry, Hope this offer some clarity.