Posted By Stuart Nagle Bruce. In certain instances I agree with your feelings on the cost of courses provided. IOSH however are not alone. There are many 'Profesional Bodies' that charge what appear to be very high prices for both training and CPD courses, and this includes most of the more senior Chartered Institutions. Training costs for most areas of health and safety related courses are very high. As a person who formulates and costs training courses for my company, as well as organising and providing the courses myself, I know the costs involved and can see no logical pricing structure to charges of several thousand pounds per head for courses where courses are fully subscribed, except that of making a good profit of course, which without doubt they must. I am not saying this is bad, however there should be consideration of 'affordability' to members. If anyone argues that they do not make profit, I must suggest that they are either not organising courses properly or are paying far to high a rate for instructors and/or facilities etc. The onus of any professional institution or body that professes to want, have, provide or lead members to a standard of professional competence, should I feel offer that assistance at the most economical price possible to it's members. I have not undertaken many courses I would like to, simply because I cannot afford the costs involved. Whilst my employer has paid for many training courses, I simply could not justify asking him to pay £2000 to £5000 for a course of training leading to say MIOSH that I can attain via a different training method for less that £1000 !!! In the past my colleagues and I have provided our time and experience/expertise, call it what you may, to others seeking to obtain wisdom (for want of a better description), for free, in the belief that we were serving our profession and I might add, getting a kick out of knowing we were helping others along the way. I have no doubt that if some further thought was applied to this area, the following options would not be unreasonable: 1) Much cheaper costs to members paying out of their own pocket for training/CPD courses. 2) A system of associateship for companies to make a contribution for 'membership' and their staff obtaining training at discounted rates (similar to the CITB !!!) 3) Members paying a slightly enhanced annual fee to pay for a set of basic/advanced training/CPD course(s) of study... 4) Higher membership fees for all to off-set the costs of providing training at lower costs to all members 5) Branches organising regional training for their own branch membership - instruction provided by the more experienced/qualified members. perhaps for a small fee - the branch meeting the admin costs I do not want to go on too long here so I throw the floor open to others for their comments and ideas... Stuart.

Posted By Alex Watts Despite Geoff's warning, I would like to enter the fray. As a self employed trainer/consultant,IOSH courses are much too expensive for me. There must be a better way! Alex Watts

Posted By Stuart Nagle Hazel. 1) I though CPD was compulsory for RSP you state that it is not compulsory? 2) Why do IOSH employ expensive legal eagles? I would have thought that the instituion had exoperts in health and safety that would fit into this niche and be able to offer the training at lesser costs? 3) No mention of increased membership fees to help reduce training costs overall - 'Hot Pot' this one eh!! I though you response rather 'starchy' was it transcribed for you or your own? best regards... Stuart Nagle