Will a NEBOSH Qualification improve your CV?

If you are a health and safety professional considering a NEBOSH course, it is helpful to be aware of the full range of options which The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) offer. There are award level courses, certificate level courses and diploma level courses. Most of these NEBOSH courses are available throughout the UK as both classroom based courses and by distance learning.

When deciding which course level and mode of delivery is best for you, it is advisable to consider your current role, the sort of role you want to progress to within the next five years of your career and the way you learn best. For example, if you work better alone, setting your own goals and completing things to your own time scales, the distance learning option may suit you best.

If you are considering undertaking an award level NEBOSH course, there are two to choose from. The first is the NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Qualification, which focuses mainly on risk assessments and control strategies and how to use these in practical work situations. The second is the NEBOSH Safety, Health and Environment for the Process Industries qualification. This is split into four modules each of which address general health and safety issues, risk assessment, process safety and environmental concerns. This course also includes assessment of the practical application of these skills.

If it is a mid- level NEBOSH course you are looking for, then the NEBOSH Certificate is a strong choice for bolstering your CV. There are seven certificates to choose from in total. The most popular of these for those working in the UK or for UK based companies are the National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, the NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate and the National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety.

For those of you with more international career goals, the International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, the NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety and the NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety are all excellent choices. The international courses are based around the best practice formulated for the UK certificates but omit the UK specific legislation that is irrelevant for those working abroad.

If you are going for gold then a diploma level NEBOSH course could be just what you are looking for. Currently NEBOSH offer three types of diploma: the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and the NEBOSH Diploma in Environmental Management.

Diploma candidates are also able to apply for membership of a number of professional bodies depending of the course of study they undertake. Candidates passing either the national and international diploma, are entitled to apply for Graduate Membership (Grad IOSH) and MIIRSM, while candidates passing the environmental diploma can apply for Associate Membership of IEMA.

If polishing your CV is a top concern, a NEBOSH course is a valuable addition to your professional development in health and safety.