How to become a health and safety adviser
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- training through a professional body
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate diploma recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
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Apprenticeship
You can do an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician.
It takes about 24 months to complete and allows you to become:
- a technical member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- an affiliate member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
If you're going to work mostly in environmental health, you can also complete an environmental health practitioner degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Other Routes
You could study for a health and safety qualification while you're working or to improve your chances of finding a trainee position.
Topics you're likely to cover on the course include health and safety in the workplace, regulations, risk assessment and basic accident investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or online.
You can take approved health and safety courses through:
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Professional and industry bodies
The Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register has a list of professional bodies offering membership.
Further information
You can find more on careers in health and safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register.