Students get career lift-off with new qualification

Many of them attended a celebration event on Wednesday 29 January at the Leicestershire headquarters of IOSH, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. They were joined by IOSH President Kelly Nicoll and Chief Executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher.

Both Kelly and Vanessa congratulated them on their achievements before the former presented certificates to the learners.

Among the learners at the event was Charlene Lashley, Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) at boat building firm Williams Jet Tenders. She said: “I’m so proud. I hadn’t studied for a while so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I needed a qualification to support me in my role.

Ivan Bauernfreund, Health and Safety Manager at salad and herb producer Blackdown Growers, said: “I took the qualification because I really needed to expand my knowledge. I’d taken on the health and safety role and needed to develop in it, so the IOSH Level 3 was the perfect opportunity.

“It felt amazing to successfully complete it and to attend the celebration event at IOSH. I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learned into practice.”

Cheryl Lines is hoping the IOSH Level 3 will give her health and safety career a lift-off. She said: “I have been keen to start a role in health and safety, so investigated different qualification options. The IOSH Level 3 stood out and I’m delighted to have now completed it. I hope it will be the launchpad for my career.”

As well as being a chartered professional membership body, IOSH is recognised by Ofqual as an awarding organisation for occupational safety and health qualifications. The IOSH Level 3 qualification was launched last year and is aimed at new and aspiring health and safety professionals.

The learners who have successfully completed the qualification have now met the academic requirements for Technical membership of IOSH.

Mike Smith, Head of the IOSH Awarding Organisation, said: “These learners are the future of our profession. In the years to come, they will be leading the way in managing health and safety risks to workers around the world. So, it was a privilege to meet them, congratulate them and hear their enthusiasm, and learn about how the qualification will support them in their day-to-day roles. We wish them well on their career journey.

The qualification was delivered by ADL Health and Safety. Its Managing Director, Tony Lynott, said: “We’re proud to be the first company in the world to deliver this qualification. The course includes lots of interactive work and really develops their knowledge and skills. 

“We’re excited to support new cohorts moving forward, all of them looking to embark on a career in health and safety.”

The celebration for the first cohort to complete the IOSH Level 3 followed a similar event two weeks earlier for those achieving the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management. This was held during the Intersec Expo in Dubai. 

Mike added: “Our qualifications are designed to support health and safety professionals develop in their careers. They are internationally recognised and aligned to the membership grades of IOSH as the professional body for OSH professionals, giving people the opportunity to demonstrate their competence and suitability to work in the profession.”