NEBOSH National General Certificate Benefits for Employers | Is It Worth the Investment?

The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is renowned by organisations across the UK for helping employees develop an excellent knowledge of occupational health and safety - whilst imparting a practical set of skills to make their workplace safer.

Employers have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that all staff have received the relevant health and safety training, but we also understand that in order to secure senior leadership buy-in there must be a clear understanding of the positive impacts it will bring.

There are eight tangible benefits awaiting companies that invest the time and money in getting their staff qualified with the NEBOSH National General Certificate.

Top 8 Employer Benefits of Investing in the NEBOSH National General Certificate Qualification

There are a number of incredible benefits which arise from employee training through the NEBOSH National General Certificate, which are:

• Become More Competitive in the Marketplace
• Return on Investment
• Internal Safety Knowledge on Hand
• Increase Workforce Motivation and Engagement
• Positive Safety Culture
• Reduced Workplace Accidents
• Cost Savings
• Increased Employee Morale

Become More Competitive in the Marketplace

A qualified professional is equipped with the right skills to support their organisation achieve and maintain their goals and operate to recognised global quality standards. Organisations that support their employees and provide them with training, such as the NEBOSH General Certificate, indicate they are an employer that is committed to exceptional health and safety standards.  

Skilled employees who are able to address international standards in health and safety, are a pre-requisite when organisations are trying to win new business. With 90% of jobs advertised by organisations demanding a NEBOSH qualification, it's clear that companies recognise the value of the NEBOSH courses, making them a strong trust signal. 

Your employer doesn't want to be left behind in the competitive global marketplace.

Return on Investment

NEBOSH training means developing internal health and safety skills to reduce direct costs such as incidents and accidents (illustrated in the HSE chart), employee absence, litigation, and ill-health to name a few. Less disruption of operations and production positively affects the company’s profit margins.

In comparison, the initial investment from the course costs is a small price to pay when you consider the financial benefits of having employees properly trained in health and safety.

Internal Safety Knowledge on Hand

Employers will feel more reassured that the NEBOSH Certificate qualification develops the practical know-how to manage a wide range of typical health and safety scenarios that companies face on a daily basis. A qualified safety professional employee can work towards maintaining compliance with legislation, effective risk management, health and safety management systems (ISO45001 etc.) and a positive safety culture using their knowledge gained in typical workplace scenarios so they work smartly. If any incidents or issues occur managers will be reassured their NEBOSH qualified staff will know how to manage the situation effectively and efficiently. Employers can expect their staff to be confident to apply what they have learnt to situations arising in their job and promote a best practice approach.

Although this depth of knowledge requires a time commitment, the Online versions of the course provide all the necessary information in a flexible package so employees can fit their training in and around their work schedules.

Increase Workforce Motivation and Engagement

Investment in developing essential health & safety skills internally with a NEBOSH Certificate holder can directly contribute to creating a safer working environment, protecting staff and visitors. Managers actively encouraging everybody to play their part in creating a positive safety culture will result in a more motivated, engaged and therefore committed workforce. Staff are reassured that they are working for a company that visibly cares about the welfare of their workforce.

Positive Safety Culture

Increasingly, companies recognise the benefits of a positive safety culture and the role of managers across all functions (not just health and safety) in developing it. Over 70% of people taking the NEBOSH Certificate are managers, not in health & safety, who can develop a good understanding of the principles of risk management to use when needed in their job. All managers need to contribute to creating a safety culture for it to be effective and for companies to experience the benefits.

Reduced Workplace Accidents

Through the NEBOSH National General Certificate, employers can expect to see a reduction in workplace accidents. Employees are far more likely to fall victim to a workplace accident if hazards have not been identified and controlled.

The NEBOSH General Certificate gives learners the knowledge to identify and manage risk at an organisational level, meaning they can support multiple areas of the business with safety.

Cost Savings

Reducing workplace accidents and training employees to understand health and safety also results in increased cost savings. This comes from the reduction of damaged property, lost productivity, delays and costly legal fees which can arise as a result of workplace incidents. Not only that, businesses also that can demonstrate a certain level of employee health and safety knowledge through certification often receive lower insurance premiums.

Improved Employee Morale

Employees are far more likely to be productive if they know their safety is not being compromised. If they feel as though they are not safe in the workplace, they will struggle to carry out their responsibilities. More generally speaking, employees will also feel as though you are investing in them and their career growth, which creates loyalty to your organisation.

Employees themselves also have a number of benefits to gain from the NEBOSH General Certificate.

Position Employee Safety Knowledge as an Asset

It’s important that you market yourself effectively: highlight that as a NEBOSH qualified safety professional, you are an essential asset for your manager and team and directly contribute to the success of the company; safety professionals can impact the company’s bottom line by getting staff involved, preventing accidents, disruption and positively improving the company’s brand and reputation.

Is the NEBOSH National General Certificate Worth It for Employers?

In short, the NEBOSH National General Certificate is absolutely worth it for employers, thanks to the high number of benefits. With such a comparatively small investment, employers stand to gain effective cost savings, improved employee productivity and morale. Not only that, but it will also help them to remain legally compliant, avoiding any legal and financial repercussions.

Is your business more internationally widespread? You might want to consider the NEBOSH International General Certificate instead, which focuses on applying the same concepts across the globe without being UK-centric. Still not sure? We have a guide comparing both versions of the course.

If you want to find out more about the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, you can read our full ultimate guide on the qualification. Alternatively, you can head over to our course page below to try our free course demo, read FAQs and view the full course syllabus.