Recognised Qualifications for a Career in Health & Safety
Careers in health and safety can be both rewarding and well paid, so it’s no surprise that many people want to break into this industry. Unsurprisingly, given the important roles that health and safety practitioners perform, the entry requirements into these jobs are strict. Candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and qualifications if they are to land the roles they want. This means that if you’re serious about starting a career in health and safety, you’ll need to make sure you take courses that are recognised in the industry. This brief guide should give you some ideas.
NEBOSH
Training specialists like SHEilds offer a range of National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) courses that are well worth considering. NEBOSH was established in 1979 as an awarding body with charitable status and it offers a selection of qualifications that are recognised around the world for their rigour and quality.
Each year, around 50,000 people in more than 110 countries take NEBOSH courses and in 2014, the organisation was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its ‘outstanding achievement’ in international trade.
The NEBOSH qualifications on offer vary and it’s important that you find versions that suit your precise needs. Areas of focus include classroom environments, construction, fire risk management and oil and gas operations.
These qualifications are recognised by a number of professional membership bodies, including the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
IOSH
It’s also important to be aware of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) qualifications on offer. The IOSH is an organisation for health and safety professionals and it exists to help make the world of work safer, healthier and more sustainable. Annually, more than 130,000 people take its courses. One popular option is IOSH Managing Safely.
Do your research
Before you commit to any health and safety courses, it’s important that you get all the relevant details. You should check that the course is recognised and meets your requirements in terms of content. It’s also imperative that your training provider has the necessary credentials to deliver the material effectively.
As well as choosing a suitable training programme, make sure you select a learning method that suits your needs. For example, you may benefit from the flexibility of online learning. Alternatively, perhaps you would be better off completing your course in a classroom environment. The choice is yours.