Which Health, Safety and Environmental Training Course is Best for You?

Health, safety, and environmental management fields have become an increasingly sought after expertise as the world charges towards a more healthy, safe and sustainable future. If you're considering a career in HSE, just starting out or looking to enhance your existing stellar skillset, selecting the right training course is a crucial first step. Once you have done that, selecting your training provider will be equally important.

Why is Health, Safety and Environmental Training Important

Health, safety, and environmental training isn't just about compliance; it's necessary to safeguard lives and protect the planet. These courses equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess and mitigate risks, and ensure environmental sustainability. A well-chosen HSE course can open doors to many career opportunities in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and more.

Different HSE Courses for Your Goals

HSE training courses come in various forms and levels, each catering to specific career pathways. Let's explore the most popular health, safety and environmental courses and how they can lead to different career opportunities.

Broader Management-level Health and Safety Courses

The most popular courses in the realm of health and safety are the more comprehensive training programmes. Most notably, the NEBOSH General Certificate and the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma offer the most distinct career opportunities in whatever field you find yourself in. The IOSH Managing Safely offers a more broad view of health and safety that every line manager or supervisor can assimilate into their daily work.

Each of these courses teach the intangible leadership and management qualities required in modern, progressive organisations. The NEBOSH General Certificate and the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma are two courses that remain heavily desired by organisations seeking specialised upskilled individuals for their workforce. 

Environmental Management and Sustainability Courses

If you're passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability, there are courses in environmental management that cover:

• Regulations
• Pollution Control
• Waste Management
• Sustainable Practices

Graduates can pursue careers as environmental compliance officers, sustainability/health and safety managers, or environmental consultants.

Courses designed by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) are widely believed to be the most reputable environmental training courses, highlighted by the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management. This course is covers a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues to enable you to become a practitioner who can drive change in organisations. 

For those looking for a more foundational understanding of environmental topics, the IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management is designed for anyone looking to get more involved and make an impact on the environment and sustainability.

Environmental courses are quickly becoming the most popular genre of courses in the entire training industry due to the increasing pressure on organisations to lessen their ecological impact. In fact, organisations are now actively headhunting individuals with specialist understanding, especially in the environmental arena. 

Behavioural and Wellbeing Courses

A new genre of courses that cater to occupational health and safety has emerged in recent years, such as workplace wellbeing, mental health and stress. Courses such as the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing and the IOSH Approved Behavioural Science for Safety Leadership are designed to help embed a sympathetic culture into organisations with large workforces that may have individuals suffering from poor mental health. 

These courses also pave the way for learners to embark on a rewarding career as a wellbeing professional, occupational health nurse or manager in any industry upskilled in mental health/wellbeing understanding.

How to Pick the Right HSE Course for You

Assess Your Goals and Interests

Before diving into the world of HSE training, it's essential to assess your goals and interests. Are you interested in workplace safety, environmental protection, or both? Are you looking for an entry-level certification or advanced specialisation? Knowing your interests and career aspirations will help you narrow down your options.

Accreditation and Certification

Accreditation and certification are essential to consider when choosing an HSE training course. Look for courses and institutions that are recognised by relevant accrediting bodies worldwide. For example, NEBOSH is the most extensive training body in the United Kingdom. Certifications like the NEBOSH General Certificate and the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma can enhance your employability and earning potential worldwide. The IOSH Managing Safely is also internationally recognised.

Course Content and Curriculum

Carefully examine the course content and curriculum. Ensure that the topics covered align with your career goals. For example, a course focusing on safety management systems, hazard analysis, and emergency response may be suitable if you aspire to work in industrial safety. On the other hand, if environmental protection is your priority, look for courses that emphasise sustainability, pollution control, and environmental laws and regulations.

Visit each of our course pages, read through the learning outcomes, module overviews and course breakdowns. It will soon become apparent why a particular course is different from another. We offer many courses to assist your journey at any point in your career.

Course Delivery

Astutis offers various study options for learners, including traditional classroom instruction, online learning, and blended formats. Consider your learning style, schedule, and accessibility when choosing the delivery mode.

The importance of knowing what works best for you cannot be overstated. Before committing to a course, you must consider which learning method best suits your strengths and preferences. Online courses offer flexibility but may require self-discipline, while classroom-based programs provide direct interaction with instructors and peers but lack the flexibility afforded by digital training.

For more information on our different learning methods and understanding the best learning method for you, look at our What's Your Style guide!

Tutor Expertise

Tutors play a pivotal role in your learning experience. All of our tutors are experienced professionals with a strong background in HSE and have passed the course themselves. We believe the best tutors relate course theory to real-world scenarios and offer practical insights during their sessions that can significantly enhance learner understanding of the course matter. 

Reviews and Recommendations

Trust and reputation are precious assets in the world of health and safety. When it comes to health, safety and environmental training, it is no different. If you know the course you want to enrol in, research the training body's reputation. NEBOSH, IOSH and IEMA are three leading course providers with the most prominent health, safety and environmental training market share. If the course you want to commit to originates from one of those three bodies, you are in safe hands. 

We have been operating as a leading health, safety and environmental training provider for over twenty years. Rooted in valued relationships with our learners, our training is entirely learner-centric and is engineered to maximise the success, time and cost-effectiveness. Don't just take our word for it, our learners think so to.

Ready to take the next step in your HSE training journey? You can browse our list of courses below.