Hi webbosix, I am in the same boat. I have just completed NEBOSH Gen Cert and awaiting results, hope fully positive. Most H+S managerial positions are looking for Dip qualifications as a minimum and I feel there is no other route. Unfortunately, I have chosen H+S as a new career direction and therefore have no practical experience which is another negative when job hunting. I have very limited funds at the moment and find that I am in a chicken and egg situation of qualifications v job. I would be keen to know how you get on Cheers Ian

Speirsy I noticed you got a Career Development Loan to do your Diploma. I am thinking of doing the same and wondered if you felt it was a good idea, and what are the repayments like. Mike

Hey, Mike, yeah theyre not too bad. My Diploma was with Woodward group in Carlisle, I chose them cause their training was good but... the price was good too. I think I paid 4500 for the course in total, I really cant remember, but I also applied for the woodward group bursary of 500 pounds as I was made redundant from Glasgow city council. This was the equivelant of knocking off the VAT from the course which was pretty sweet. I think that though I took 4500 pounds, barclays only pay 80% of the course fees so I made up the rest of my fees with the living expenses part of my loan. I think I took 6k all in, the extra was to keep me going for travelling expeses as luch was provided. In total, I wouldnt look back, I get 3 months grace period to repay my loan after my course ends and its 50 quid a week repayments once I do, even with some awful job that pays 10 k a year which I was on recently (go the recession lol), its still do able. I would go to moneysavingexpert.com and look up CDL loans as he has some good advice on the subject but in the end, its pennies in the long run and once a job has been secured its easy to pay back, I mean 50 quid a week is just a tank of petrol nowadays and its an investment in your future where you can get a sweet wage.

I have just started Occupational Health and Safety level 4 which is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through Leicester College, I believe it is limited but if successful it will fund 50% of the course. I am sure this would be offered on other NVQ's hope it helps.

Don't forget that the NVQ4 is predominantly evidence based, and as such you may already be some way to its completion if you have held a HSE role in the past. This is graded at the same level as the Diploma and you can use this qualification as a route to CMIOSH status too. Generally, I found funding to be more readily available for vocational qualifications and Linda at SHE-Knows who are based in Hull was a great help. Give her a call - advice is free after all! Good luck.