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

  • The Pros & Cons of Artificial Intelligence Use in Health and Safety Image
    Andrew Froude B.Eng (Hons), CMIOSH, MIIRSM, OSHCR

    The Pros & Cons of Artificial Intelligence Use in Health and Safety

    Discover how Artificial Intelligence could transform the future of health and safety, including the potential it has to predict unsafe behaviours and spot hazards.
    16.04.25
  • Top 10 Interesting Careers the NEBOSH Diploma Gets You Image
    William Gaunt

    Top 10 Interesting Careers the NEBOSH Diploma Gets You

    Wondering where the NEBOSH Diploma can take you in your career? We’ve compiled a list of exciting careers you can pursue, thanks to its broad spectrum of applications. Read on to find out where your career could land next.
    15.04.25
  • Is the NEBOSH Diploma Worth It? 6 Benefits for Employees Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    Is the NEBOSH Diploma Worth It? 6 Benefits for Employees

    Find out the primary benefits for professionals that complete the NEBOSH Diploma, including career progression, peer recognition and opportunities for salary increases.
    15.04.25
  • NEBOSH Diploma Career Progression Guide | What's Next? Image
    Chris Pollington CMIOSH

    NEBOSH Diploma Career Progression Guide | What's Next?

    Discover the next steps in your career and the journey to becoming a well-respected health and safety professional through the experience of our tutor and consultant Chris Pollington.
    15.04.25
  • NEBOSH National vs International Diploma | What's the Difference? Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    NEBOSH National vs International Diploma | What's the Difference?

    Find out the key differences between the NEBOSH National and International Diplomas, so you can make an informed decision about which course is best for your individual needs.
    15.04.25
  • Is There Funding Available for the NEBOSH National Diploma? Image
    Lorna Bleyswyck CMIOSH, PGCE

    Is There Funding Available for the NEBOSH National Diploma?

    Find out the funding options available for the NEBOSH National Diploma, so you can receive financial support for your course.
    15.04.25
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
  • "Clear and concise. A lot of information delivered in an easy to digest format. Trainer was engaging and positive, as well as easy to talk to and ask questions. Tech was good and all the materials provided/used were/are helpful."

    Kerrina
    09.04.2025
  • "Clear and concise. A lot of information delivered in an easy to digest format. Trainer was engaging and positive, as well as easy to talk to and ask questions. Tech was good and all the materials provided/used were/are helpful."

    Kerrina
    09.04.2025
  • "excellent trainer easy to follow and good mixture of team discussions."

    Keith
    03.04.2025
  • "covered a lot of my day to day tasks, easy to follow on the second week, found the first week it difficult to see what was required and understand."

    Keith
    03.04.2025
  • "Very impressed with the training content, it was delivered in a user friendly way and made easy to understand, communication and resources was excellent throughout"

    Mark
    02.04.2025
  • "Lots of detail but delivered in such a way to make it easy to understand, the resources and advice given throughout the course was first class."

    Mark
    02.04.2025
  • "The tutor was excellent, and the course was designed so that the information was easy to digest and understand through real-life scenarios. The problem-based learning approach and active participation in classroom discussions and homework exercises helped me pass the exam on my first attempt."

    01.04.2025
  • "The two weeks of comprehensive in-class training, coupled with the gaps between the exams, provided ample time for preparation and reflection on what I learned in the classroom. NG2 was very interesting, and the classroom exercises helped me grasp the theme of assessment, specifically how (RMs) were assessed."

    01.04.2025
  • "The online learning portal was easy and straight forward to use, it was well laid out and had fantastic online resource sections which were great for printing out to have to hand - especially handy for highlighting important points. I had purchased the NEBOSH Managing Health and Safety book to help with my study, but in all honesty, the information in the portal covered all the relevant material anyway. I only needed to phone for assistance on a couple of occasions, but found the guidance helpful and quick."

    Chris
    25.03.2025
  • "Having a secondary role at work as a Health and Safety coordinator means passing the NEBOSH General Certificate is a great indication of the knowledge and understanding I have achieved so far. This is a staple qualification in this field and I now have the confidence to venture into Health and Safety in a more primary role and as a progression of career."

    Chris
    25.03.2025