The NEBOSH General Certifcate Options.

Broken down into three units, the course covers the general principles of managing health and safety in the workplace such as policy, planning, audits and reviews. How to identify and minimise hazards such as electricity, transport, fire and chemical and a practical risk assessment testing the knowledge and understanding of the previous two, based on the delegates own place of work.

Choosing the National or International NEBOSH General Certificate option?

Not all delegates are aware that there are two options for the NEBOSH General Certificate course – national and international. The national option refers to courses written and designed for the UK market. That is, all of the legislation, regulations and knowledge is related specially to occupational health and safety in the UK. As many people now work overseas, NEBOSH have also recently recognised the need for an international version of the general certificate course. This course is based on the three unit format of the national course covering general health and safety management, risk identification and control and a practical assessment. However the course omits all the UK based legislation that is of no use to overseas workers. 

Choosing the face to face training or distance learning NEBOSH General Certificate option?

A face to face course is delivered at the provider's location, in a classroom setting. The trainer leads the learning and is on hand to guide delegates and answer questions as you go along. In a distance learning course, delegates are provided with a pack of learning materials, which they go through at their own pace. Support is available from tutors via phone, email and social media. There are many factors which contribute to the decision of whether to complete a face to face or distance learning NEBOSH General Certificate. 

The first is time. Face to face courses, run by trainers at their own venues can last from 10 to 13 days. If your employer has requested that you complete the course, can they spare you from work for this length of time? If you are self funding, do you have enough holiday left to fit the course and exams in? If you are limited to fitting your studies around your other obligations then a distance learning course may prove to be a more convenient option. 

The second factor is cost. While face to face course provide the benefit of instant interaction with the course leader, they also cost more than the distance learning option. Would it be better for you to get the instant support or could you do with the saving and work with internet and social media support provided with the distance learning course? 

The third factor is your own particular learning style. Do you grasp things better working quietly in a room on your own, at your own pace, where you can concentrate on the bits you feel need focusing on? If so the distance learning course may be the perfect option for you. However, if you work best in a more dynamic group environment, bouncing ideas off others in a group, then the face to face course is the one to pick.