How IOSH is helping me make a difference

Starting a career in occupational safety and health (OSH) as a student can be challenging, especially when you’re looking at the price tags of professional courses. I know first-hand how costly these can be, having paid for my NEBOSH National General Certificate, which wasn’t cheap. That’s why finding the IOSH Student Member Bursary was such a relief and the mentoring scheme was a blessing.

With the bursary covering my IOSH Managing Safely® course and even reimbursing my membership fees, I could really dig into learning without the financial worry. Let me share how this experience has impacted my journey and why I think anyone interested in OSH should consider it.

Bursary: funding that makes a real difference

Honestly, getting the bursary felt like winning the lottery. Professional development courses are pricey, but thanks to the IOSH student bursary, I was able to enrol on the Managing Safely course and have my membership fees reimbursed (how sweet). I’m especially grateful to my programme director, Val Scholey, who introduced me to the bursary and encouraged me to apply.  

I’m now looking forward to applying for the next bursary to get another important certification.

Putting my learning into practice

The Managing Safely course provided me with a strong foundation in key health and safety principles, offering practical tools and insights that I’ve been able to apply immediately.

One of the key learnings was understanding how to assess and manage risks systematically. I now have the skills to evaluate the severity and likelihood of potential hazards, using the risk assessment matrix to prioritise the most critical risks.

This has been particularly valuable in my volunteer role as a Health and Safety Advisor with the MS Society, where I assist in conducting risk assessments for events.

The course also emphasised legal responsibilities, ensuring I am aware of key regulations and legislation that organisations must adhere to. This knowledge helps me ensure that the risk assessments I support are not just practical but also compliant with legal standards.

The course has also been useful in my roles as a Student Ambassador and a Catering Assistant at Cardiff Met University, helping me spot potential hazards more confidently.

One of my biggest challenges right now is finding part-time work in health and safety that fits with my studies and also for me to put my knowledge into full practice. But I know the experience I’m gaining through volunteering and other roles is setting me up well for when I can go full-time.

Value of IOSH mentoring

Another fantastic part of my journey has been the IOSH mentoring scheme. Through this programme, I met my mentor, Mark Littlejohns, who has been a massive help. Mark has given me advice, helped me make connections in the industry, and even reached out on my behalf for work experience opportunities.

I can’t overstate how much of a difference it makes to have someone experienced in your corner, guiding you through the ups and downs.

Why Managing Safely is a great first step

If you’re new to health and safety, I can’t recommend Managing Safely enough. It’s a perfect overview that gives you a taste of what the field is all about, without being overwhelming. Once you’ve got that under your belt, you can explore more comprehensive courses and certifications to deepen your knowledge.

For anyone looking to break into OSH, joining IOSH and exploring its bursaries, resources and mentoring schemes is a no-brainer. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received, and I’m looking forward to where this journey takes me next. Thank you, IOSH, for everything!