If you looking to achieve CMIOSH status and further your safety career, this article is for you. This article contains a table that compares the two main routes – The NEBOSH National Diploma, and The ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma.
It also outlines the Pros and Cons of each, it’s the ideal safety training guide to help you plan your next step.
Let us have a little overview of the two (2) professional routes to CMIOSH.
The NEBOSH National Diploma
The NEBOSH Diploma is one of the courses structured by the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and it is a level 6 course. It has become established as the most popular and highly respected qualification of its kind. Those who qualify find themselves in high demand in the global marketplace.
Employers increasingly see health and safety management as a strategic role demanding an appropriate high-level professional qualification.
This qualification assists in the development of professional competence, increasing learners’ ability to help organizations make sensible and proportionate decisions to manage risk, meet business objectives, and meet regulatory and other requirements. Thorough but achievable, the qualification is designed by health and safety professionals to meet the needs of the modern workplace. It is a university degree-level qualification, offering a route to Masters-level study. It is a qualification to be proud of.
The qualification covers the practical skills that are essential to health and safety professionals. It assesses learners’ ability to apply their skills and knowledge and deliver positive change throughout the workplace.
Those who pass their NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety are entitled to use the designatory letters IDipNEBOSH and also gain membership in some professional bodies. Diplomates are invited to NEBOSH’s annual NEBOSH Graduation and Awards Ceremony. In addition, they will be invited to join NEBOSH’s growing Alumni network.
Professional Recognition
The NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety meets the academic requirements to apply for:
- Graduate Membership (Grad IOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). This is the first step to becoming a Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner as a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH).
- Member status (MIIRSM) of the Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
- Holders of either the NEBOSH National or International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and either the NEBOSH National or International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety meet the headline entrance criteria requirements for Registered Membership (RMaPS) of the Association for Project Safety (APS).
- Graduate membership of the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh) – Current Technical members (TechSaiosh) can now upgrade to Graduate Membership (GradSaiosh) using the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to meet the membership level’s academic requirements.
The ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma
The Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice qualification is aimed at candidates who are responsible for developing and applying health and safety procedures day-to-day in their organization. They may be a staff member, supervisor, or manager
looking to improve their knowledge and skills.
The awarding body for this qualification is the ProQual Awarding Body and the regulatory body is the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). This qualification has been accredited to the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
Qualification Profile
Qualification title: ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
Ofqual qualification number: 603/3106/9
Level: Level 6
Total qualification time: 1064 hours
Guided learning hours: 532
Assessment: Pass or fail (Internally assessed and verified by center staff External quality assurance by ProQual verifiers)
Qualification start date: 1/4/2018
Read Also: 3 main HSE certifications, (NCRQ vs NVQ vs NEBOSH); Which one is best?
Which Routes to CMIOSH (Pros & Cons) – Source (RoSPA)
| NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health | ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice | |
| Aimed at | Safety Supervisors, Safety Officers, and Safety Managers | Safety Supervisors, Safety Officers, and Safety Managers |
| Study mode | Primarily classroom-based, with additional home study expected. Unit A taught over three weeks (10 days)Unit B taught over two weeks (10 days)Unit C taught over two weeks (10 days) Combined total of 30 days of classroom study. | A vocational qualification, therefore is based. The pace depends on the candidate. |
| Assessment | Units A, B, and C are each assessed by a three-hour written exam. Unit D is an 8,000-word review of the health and safety performance of an organization. | A portfolio of evidence is submitted using RoSPA’s online system. This portfolio is assessed against the required competencies, all of which must be demonstrated. |
| Duration | The four units can be taken in any order over five years. | A flexible study option: complete within 24 months |
| Price | Classroom: £5999.00 + VAT Online: £1800.00 + VAT |
£1795.00 + VAT |
| Pros | An academic, degree-level qualification. Highly regarded and sought after by employers. Gives an understanding of a broad range of issues and, therefore provides a transferable knowledge base that is applicable across industry sectors and job roles. Can be taken at a pace to suit the candidate, up to a maximum of 5 years. | Work-based, therefore easier to combine with daily tasks. There are no exams so candidates who know that they do not perform well under pressure may find this advantageous. Flexible pace, ranging from 4 months to 2 years. |
| Cons | Employers must be convinced of the business benefits as the time away from work and the cost of the course represent a considerable investment. The rigorous nature of the course requires a high degree of commitment from the candidate. | Rewards competencies within the current work situation, therefore only suitable for Safety Supervisors, Managers, etc. who are currently in the right role and arguably less transferable to future roles and organizations. |
| Result | GradIOSH status (Graduate Membership of the Institution of Safety and Health); meaning holders meet the academic requirements of Chartered status (CMIOSH) but are undergoing professional development. | GradIOSH status (Graduate Membership of the Institution of Safety and Health); meaning holders meet the academic requirements of Chartered status (CMIOSH) but are undergoing professional development. |
| Next step | To achieve CMIOSH status holders of the NEBOSH Diploma must submit a mini-portfolio of evidence from their current job role. | To achieve CMIOSH status NVQ Level 6 holders must take an open-book exam over two weeks. |
Read Also: 2022 NEBOSH Examination Dates for Certificate/Diploma Programs
In conclusion, if you are planning to achieve the CMIOSH status you can decide to follow any of the routes highlighted; after carefully reading the requirements, and the pros and cons associated with the routes.
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