Hi all

[Borders Bosh]

Evening Guys,

Though it best to introduce myself before I start to ask lots of questions

My name is Bob and I passed my Nebosh General Cert - Aug 2017.

I am struggling to find my first role in HS, Im based in Scotland and my background is managerial in a civil service office environment. I am passionate about HS and have very little direct experience, the experience I do have is DSE, office temperature, walk rounds with private HS consultants etc everything you can imagine for a small to medium office (100 staff)

The very little feedback I get from applications is my lack of experience, I have been applying to Oil and Gas ( couple of mates work in it) to get experience for a couple years then hopefully get a 9-5 Mon to Fri , so I can see my family grow up.

That's the plan anyway and I am struggling to get my foot in the door. I have applied to other industries and common theme is my lack of experience. I'm starting to think when I signed up to do my Nebosh I was hood winked in that I was told that I would get a job without any problems - the Nebosh general was enough to get the job without experience.

So I am here to give it one last shot before I give up and concentrate on my current job in financial industry which is a stop gap pending an HS job.

Thanks for reading this and Im looking forward to having a good chat with you all.

Bob

[Alexis]

Hi there Bob and a very warm welcome to HSfB.

Firstly, on achieving your NEBOSH General qualification.

I think lots of people are under the impression that the NGC will ensure a H&S position once completed, which, sadly isn't always the case, although many have found employment afterwards. Like everything job-wise nowadays, nothing is guaranteed.

Without experience it is difficult to find a H&S position right away Bob. Even if you had more experience but didn't have (or are currently studying) the Diploma it is still difficult to enter the industry fully.

Regarding accessing the O&G industry, as I am sure some of our members currently working in this area will no doubt explain, my personal thoughts are this is very unlikely with just the NGC and that is not meant to down the NGC qualification. It isn't easy to achieve, but it does need backing up with experience and Diploma follow-on. (All my own views Bob).

In saying all of the above, please DO NOT give up your passion.

I would suggest you perhaps join your local Safety Group http://www.safetygroupsuk.org.uk/local-groups/ This would allow some networking where you may be able to find someone who would allow you some voluntary work experience etc. and as you mentioned, you have friends working in the O&G industry, perhaps they could present your case to people they know?

Another suggestions is to contact the Consultants who have frequented your current workplace and ask them about taking up a trainee post with them to gain experience. Of course, this would mean leaving your current job, which may not be best suited to your circumstances. Something to think about though.

We have lots of past posts about this same difficulty Bob. Go to our search function at the top right hand corner of this page and have a search.

I am sure others will come in with their own thoughts Bob.

Good to have you with us.

[Borders Bosh]

Hi Alexis thanks for your reply.

A lot of good advice in your reply , especially the local groups - there is two near me so I will get in touch with them.

Oil and Gas is proving very difficult and my mates who work as contractors overseas are still of the opinion I should not have any problems getting in but that is over a year now so I don't think it will happen.

I'll be sure to search for similar posts and I am looking forward to contributing to the boards.

Thanks for having me

Cheers

Bob

[Alexis]

Good to have you aboard Bob.
I am going to re-post this in the General Section to see if we can get more replies for you.

https://www.healthandsafetytips.co.uk/f ... =1&t=48503

[Safe&Sound]

Hi Bob,

Welcome the the forums

I'll send you a PM later today with some advice as I've been in a similar position

Regards

S&S

[andybz]

Hi Bob

I am not sure why your mates think a safety role in oil and gas is easy to come by. I think they are usually more interested in people with an engineering background and the safety qualifications almost come secondary. I really suggest you look elsewhere for your first job.

[NGC]

Hi Bob,
Congrats on your NGC.
Ive been in your situation -(albeit not oil and gas though) I would echo certainly what andybz says about oil and gas not being easy to get into. It is a very specialist and high risk industry (you only have to think of the Piper Alpha tragedy to see what I mean) and I wouldn't even think about working in that industry at this stage of my career, I have so much to learn still.
You will probably have more luck in an office environment to start off as an advisor and gain the experience before branching out.
I will PM you too. Hope you get there in the end.

[abarnett]

Hi Bob,
Congrats on the NGC!
Having originally been in a local authority environment I can sympathise! If you are a member of PCS or Unison then I'd suggest becoming a Safety Rep. Generally unions don't have enough so you may be able to diversify your experience set a bit.
Also, as its a civil service role, would there be scope for some form of secondment to the safety team for career developement?
It took me a long time and a lot of applications to get into a role - don't get disheartened and keep going!
Cheers,
Andy

[Jack Kane]

A bit late to the discussion from me, all good advice already given, but I also urge you not to give up.

I'm a firm believer that if you are passionate about H&S then your patience will pay off in the end. It only takes one employer to say yes and to give the first foot on the ladder, then your life will change. The forums have seen many people like yourself who finally find that important first job and who are well into their careers now, so it's not impossible.

Keep at it, something will come along.