Courses Available Online, Virtually and Classroom
Fully Certified NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA Accredited
7-Day Customer Service
Chris Pollington CMIOSH

A Career Started in the Forces Can Transfer to Safety

July 2018

Read about the experiences of a health and safety professional whose career began with the Armed Forces. 

Having been persuaded by my father at the age of 17 that the Parachute Regiment could wait and obtaining a trade was initially a wiser approach, I embarked on a career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). It turned out my father understood a little more about life than I did and his advice was sound for a young man unsure of where to direct his energy.

After completing military training and a further year in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers,

I was posted to an infantry battalion workshop as a Junior Craftsman. Engineering workshops, particularly military ones, are inherently hazardous places to work and for me, this is where my introduction to workplace safety began. Due to the hazardous nature of the job, accidents were not uncommon and as a young Craftsman with aspirations, it led me to think of other career options. I stuck the post during a few operational tours then decided to pursue a more active role as a gym physical training instructor (PTI).

Transferable Skills Developed in the Forces

During the remainder of my career in the Forces, I began to develop vital skills and a real understanding of the importance of safety, invaluable when I switched to safety management. The role I worked in was a para trained soldier for the airborne forces at 16 Air Assault Brigade. Although still wearing the REME cap badge and now back in the workshop, I was in a better position to transfer into more specialist fields of the military, but not before a few endeavours in the middle east.

During tours of Afghanistan with the airborne forces, I was introduced to the now highly utilised role of Forward Air Controller (FAC) and having passed the Commando course and the FAC selection course I was now embedded with 42 Commando as one of their company FACs.

The FAC role is a highly pressurised and technical role, requiring the controller to coordinate and deconflict multiple air assets in very restricted airspace, whilst also operating on the front line. The safety element was paramount and with such high risks and huge potential severity, the procedures for effective and safe operation were critical. It taught me how to compose myself during conditions that seemed impossible and I use this in civilian life today.

Change of Career to Health & Safety

After over 12 highly rewarding years and approaching 30, I decided it was time to reinvent myself, in preparation to enter the civilian world. A close friend at the time was a senior Health & Safety Manager for a university and I’d observed her as she underwent the various NEBOSH courses out there on the market. I came to understand that the principles of leadership, perseverance, diligence and discipline were attributes that would carry into such a role.

Qualifications to Develop my Career

Although no walk in the park, by dedicating my time, effort and copious cups of strong coffee I was successful. That allowed me the confidence to then go on and complete the NEBOSH Fire and Construction certificates, as well as a few others.

 

My Health and Safety Career Begins...

It was a full steam ahead at forging a career in health and safety, so I decided to use my remaining ELC.
I spent almost 5 years with the Dubai Shipping company, which saw me take their HSSE systems from barely existing, to one of legal compliance and in some areas beyond. It was by no means an easy task, but armed with knowledge acquired on the NEBOSH courses I was in a much better place to manage the work.

Whilst plugging away at the online course, a job opportunity presented itself in Dubai as a HSSE Manager for an international shipping and logistics company. I was at the time, inexperienced and under qualified for the role, but I had confidence in my abilities to learn on the job, so I applied for the role. My potential employer was highly aware of my lack of civilian experience, but because the NEBOSH qualifications I had acquired are highly recognised internationally and also as many employers buy-in to the ex-military brand, I was successful and landed the job.

Upon returning to the UK in 2017, Astutis offered me the role as HSE consultant for the London and South East, which I was pleased to accept. This role sees me delivering NEBOSH, IOSH and bespoke training courses to businesses across the South East as well as supporting organisations on aspects of HSE management. I often teach ex-forces people whose background, like mine, allows them to put to use specific skills developed when serving but now in a different context.

The Positives of Working in Health and Safety

The NEBOSH qualifications I have obtained over the years have provided me a new trade and that, coupled with experience, has launched me into areas I may otherwise not have discovered. The skills NEBOSH courses can give are applicable across most industries, which I find rewarding. Under the guise of health and safety within a business, you are able to delve into most areas of the organisation and speak with all levels of employees. I have recently worked for Hawkeye, a branch of Sony, Chelsea football club, Heathrow Airport, London multiple transport providers amongst many others. This has exposed me to elements within the businesses that other jobs may not have done making my work much more interesting and varied.

What Next

My advice to service members thinking of pursuing a career in health and safety, or supplementing a career with health and safety qualification, would be to read up on the NEBOSH course involves. The skills you have gained are very transferable accompanied by the NEBOSH qualification will help compliment all you have done during your service. This course also touches on subjects and areas of the working world you perhaps have never considered, and it is a great head start when leaving the Armed Forces and entering civvy street. No wonder health and safety is such a popular career choice for service members. Best of luck!

Find out all the essentials of the NEBOSH course to help you launch your new career

Click the button below to view our funding options for armed forces.

Related Blogs

  • Workplace Day of Remembrance: Reflecting on Safety and its Crucial Role Image
    Ruth Williams DipCAM FCIM

    Workplace Day of Remembrance: Reflecting on Safety and its Crucial Role

    On Tuesday, 12 December 2023, workplaces around the globe will pause to observe the Workplace Day of Remembrance — a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring those who have lost their lives or suffered injuries in the line of duty. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prioritising health and safety in every workplace.
    11.12.23
  • NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma | The Ultimate Astutis Guide Image
    Brenig Moore MCIEH CEnvH CMIOSH

    NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma | The Ultimate Astutis Guide

    Discover everything you can ever need to know concerning the NEBOSH Diploma with this essential Astutis one-stop guide. Read more here. 
    09.11.23
  • CPR and First Aid: The Ultimate Astutis Guide Image
    Toby Howell AIEMA BA PGDip

    CPR and First Aid: The Ultimate Astutis Guide

    Protect your workforce with this guide on all things first aid and CPR! Read more here.
    08.11.23
  • Why Your Organisation Needs an Environmental Manager Image
    Enock Ebbah

    Why Your Organisation Needs an Environmental Manager

    Enock Ebbah, Astutis' prized sustainability expert, discusses the benefits of having an environmental manager to an organisation. Find out more here. 
    02.11.23
  • How To Pass The NEBOSH National General Certificate Image
    Toby Howell AIEMA BA PGDip

    How To Pass The NEBOSH National General Certificate

    Learn how to master the NEBOSH National General Certificate assessments with our comprehensive guide!
    02.11.23
  • The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Office Checklist Image
    Toby Howell AIEMA BA PGDip

    The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Office Checklist

    Discover how your can turn your office into a sustainable powerhouse with the ultimate Astutis checklist. 
    27.10.23
Section Curve
Case Studies

Real Life Stories

Find out how learners look back on their training with Astutis. Our case studies give our learners, both individual and corporate, a platform to share their Astutis experience. Discover how training with Astutis has helped past learners and delegates make the world a safer place, one course at a time.
More Image
Bottom Curve
What People Say

Hear What Our Learners Have To Say

We're always there for our customers. 98% of our learners rated their overall experience as good or outstanding. We will always pride ourselves on our customer service. But don’t take our word for it, here is what our customers have to say
  • "The training was engaging and lots of helpful information on the exam and risk assessment, with additional webinars close to the exam date. Great learning methods and good notes and references to use for future reference"

    Martin
    05.12.2023
  • "As described above the material is very useful and the team approachable and professional"

    Martin
    05.12.2023
  • "Very informative course, perfectly timed with a knowledgeable host."

    Christian
    29.11.2023
  • "Please see previous comment."

    Christian
    29.11.2023
  • "It was a really great learning experience, very professional staff, training resources, webinars. The overall experience was really great and smooth!"

    Muhamed
    14.11.2023
  • "The overall learning experience was great, professional and smooth to me!"

    Muhamed
    14.11.2023
  • "great course, great tutor, explained things well"

    01.11.2023
  • "very informative and gave me the knowledge i needed to pass my exams"

    01.11.2023
  • "Excellent course, packed with information and engaging content. I recommend to anyone considering their IEMA qualification!"

    24.10.2023
  • "Excellent course, packed with information and engaging content. I recommend to anyone considering their IEMA qualification!"

    24.10.2023