If you are looking for a job in health and safety, you had better have the right qualifications and professional status, new research has revealed.
NEBOSH examined 100 recent job adverts for health and safety managers or advisors and found that 93 specified a NEBOSH qualification and/or technician membership, or higher, of IOSH. Just three of the vacancies, which were advertised online by a variety of recruitment agencies, failed to specify an appropriate level qualification, or professional status. €
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As Paul says, there is more than one way to skin a cat! Although I obtained my NEBOSH certificate with credit, I still wanted further qualifications so I opted to undertake the professional diploma at Nottingham Trent University. One of the reasons I’m doing this course it includes a section on environmental management.
Hi
I have two Nebosh 1 is the general certificate and the other the fire risk management i have also just finished my IOSH.
But i have gone for at least 10 job interviews to no avail as the employers want people with more experience, but how do you get this experience if no one is wiling to give you the job to GET THE EXPERIENCE.
All i want is a full time health and safety role in the midlands. I have self funded myself to get these qualifications.
Louise Forster (Midlands)
Here here Mr Robinson!
For an examining body to use such a small and possibly unrepresentative sample to justify its existence, (and salaries to officials) beggars belief
There is life outside nebosh
I agree with Paul views and his statement “there are competent life forms beyond NEBOSH!” Some employers and agents don’t know what NEBOSH, or IOSH even, stand for.
Yet again its all NEBOSH NEBOSH AND IOSH!! They really do think they’re the Bees Knees in sfaety dont they? I have Nebosh Qualifications but when I saw the approach to the “boys” in their club I certainly got out of IOSH.
I am now a member of many other alternative and just as good professional bodies and im sick of NEBOSH blowing its own trumpet!
Well said Paul I couldnt agree more. Particularly with your final sentence.
The fact of the matter is this. NEBOSH qualifications are more widely recognised by employers, for the simple reason that NEBOSH markets its qualifications more aggressively, than say Nottingham Trent University who offer a Diploma in Safety, Health and Environmental Management. Indeed, the NTU Diploma is the same level of qualification as the NEBOSH Diploma, but has the additional benefit of covering Environmental Management. Trust me, there are competent life forms beyond NEBOSH!
It concerns me that employers recognise a qualification (in this case NEBOSH) before the relevant member level of IOSH (or other institutions). The whole point of Chartered, Graduate, Technician status serves as a measure of both academic qualification, whatever that might be, and experience. If these claims are accurate then IOSH needs to work harder to raise it’s profile in this respect for it’s members. Professional recognition should go above and beyond any individual certificate/diploma.
Yet another plug for NEBOSH – In reality many employment agencies appear unaware of alternative routes to Technical / Chartered membership of IOSH. Due to diversity many individuals are unable to take the hallowed NEBOSH route due to the demanding ‘exam technique’ required. Which on its own and in my wide international experience is not a true measure of an individual’s capabilities, in today’s ‘real world’.
I was lucky in the sense H&S was added to my quality & environmental role – my employers were willing to pay for my NEBOSH Cert (sadly unwilling to pay for the Diploma though!!). My friend paid for his Level 2 in OHS from CIEH but can’t get an entry level position now in H&S to develop his career further as unemployed & can’t afford to pay for his Level 3. Employers are asking for higher qualifications now which many can’t afford to do, thus limiting the market.
That is all well and good but there is no way to identifiy whether a candidate is DIploma qualified at Level 4 or Level 6. IOSH itself is very biased against gained experience and relies far too heavily on Qualifications. They should look at both which would therefore give employers a far better understanding of the candidartes’ backgrounds. Also, IOSH very rarely takes into account Environmental Diplomas. I find this very disturbing. Employers rely too heavily on what ISOH “SAYS”!!!!