Number of young people taking health and safety qualifications doubles

(Image: Teresa Budworth, NEBOSH)

The number of people aged 25 and under studying health and safety qualifications has more than doubled in the last five years, according to the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).

The examination board believe that NEBOSH qualifications provide students with an alternative to university or as complementary study to vocational routes, such as apprenticeships.

Some 90% of job advertisements for safety, health and environmental roles asxk for one or more NEBOSH qualifications or equivalent.

Student example

An example of one student is 25 year old Claire Dustan. She decided not to go to university and got a job as a health and safety administrator. She then progressed her career and joined Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, where she was encouraged to take the NEBOSH national general certificate in occupational health and safety.

Twenty five year old Claire Dustan is one such student. She decided not to go to university and landed a role as Health and Safety Administrator. Claire soon set her sights on career progression and joined Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group where she was encouraged to take the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

She said: “It was brilliant! I could relate what I was learning through NEBOSH to Marshall, even though aerospace is quite specialist all my learning had a practical side I could use at work.

“Achieving the NEBOSH General Certificate was a huge confidence boost and helped me to kick start the progression I was looking for; I’ve since been promoted to Lead Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator.”

The chief executive of NEBOSH, Teresa Budworth, said the increasing number of young people following a career in health and safety was ‘a really positive trend’.

She said: “Organisations in every industry across the world employ health and safety personnel and there are many interesting and rewarding roles available. It is a great career option – practitioners really can make a difference by helping to save lives, prevent ill health and protect the environment.”