Hello all I am currently unemployed and have in the past year taken my nebosh construction cert and am tech iosh I have been in the construction industry all my working life as a bricklayer and the past 18 yrs as a foreman my problem is this .So far I have applied for 245 jobs in health and safety and had two interviews the rest of the replys if any have been NOT ENOUGH EXPERIENCE well that maybe true but if in all my years in construction as a bricklayer and a foreman I have had NOT ONE ACCEDENT TO MY SELF OR OTHERS UNDER ME and my problem is this how the hell do I put into practice all I have learned taking my nebosh and all I have learned if I don't get a chance. I am willing to do voluntary work and have had the chance with skanska at belmarsh prison thanks to Martin Coyed who was unbelievably helpful and cant thank enough .So if any member could offer suggestions or maybe help in other ways I would be truly grateful as I have attended branch meeting and put my name about but all to no joy many thanks Steve Mellor

Hi Steve, It's tough out there! I was made redundant recently and despite 6 years experience in local authority and the Highways industry, clients are being very picky as to who they chose to take on the positions they offer. Eg Constructors only selecting people with construction experience and manufacturing organisations only selecting people from the background etc etc etc. Basically you need to hold out and hope that someone gives you a break. One suggestion is to apply for positions similar to your previous role where you have lots of experience and the addition of NEBOSH qualification and IOSH membership on your CV ought to make you more attractive to the more conscientious employer. You may then be able to put your NEBOSH into practice and maybe even progress to a H&S position within the company you work for. I wish you all the best whichever path you take. Have you considered taking a CDM-C course and gaining APS accreditation? There are a number of jobs out there for CDM-Cs. Good luck with whichever path you take.

Hi Good luck. Perhaps you will need to revisit your CV? Make sure that ALL your health and safety experience on Construction Sites is mentioned. You will have lots of H&S experience as a bricklayer and foreman so use that as well.

Hello all thank you for your replys Stephen I have read the article and will reply to you via e mail leslie3048 I have put all my h&s experiences a bricklayer foreman in my c.v. Sharon thanks for the web site I will try that in the mean time I will just keep on trying and hopefully some one will give me the break I need thank you all again Steve