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 discovering the IOSH mentoring scheme was such a valuable experience.

Taking the IOSH Managing Safely® course and benefiting from mentoring support gave me the opportunity to develop my knowledge, build confidence and focus on learning. Let me share how these experiences have shaped my journey and why I think anyone interested in OSH should consider them.

Learning and support that make a real difference

Professional development is an important investment when you're starting out in OSH, and the Managing Safely course gave me valuable knowledge that I continue to apply in my studies and career development. The mentoring scheme was equally beneficial, providing guidance, encouragement and insights from experienced professionals.

I'm especially grateful to my programme director, Val Scholey, who introduced me to these opportunities and encouraged me to get involved.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue developing my skills, gaining new qualifications and building my career in occupational safety and health.

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!