www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications 15 development in recent years. It is also the company’s European centre for packaging, and up until 2012 Bill worked there providing engineering project support with new packaging machinery. In addition, he helped train others to NVQ levels 2 and 3 in engineering maintenance. Throughout his working life Bill has been interested in safety, and was often given responsibilities concerning permits to work and risk assessments. “I already had the health and safety bug and because I’d spent a lot of time developing others on the engineering side, I decided it was time to develop myself. Engineering provides a good background for health and safety and I realised that where I worked offered the perfect opportunity to apply almost all aspects of SHE knowledge. I just needed to start learning.” His employers agreed to support him with his NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and appointed him as a site SHE Facilitator. However, Bill took matters further by immediately enrolling for the NEBOSH National Diploma in Environmental Management as well. “Sometimes I think environmental just gets tagged on to health and safety, but it’s a highly specialist discipline in its own right. It’s a lot different to health and safety, with the regulatory framework not being so well structured. There’s a lot you need to know, which is why I took both Diplomas at the same time.” Bill was one of only three students to collect a double Diploma award in 2015 and his qualifications immediately paid off. An opportunity arose at AstraZeneca to take on the role of a SHE Advisor specialising in environmental management just as Bill was waiting for his results. As the position was also advertised externally, he knew he would be up against more experienced candidates. Bill applied and while his NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety proved to be crucial, he believes it was the NEBOSH Environmental Diploma that really sealed it for him. “It got me the job and I’m now gaining the experience I really need. Both Diplomas have been massively important. As well as giving me knowledge and teaching me how to apply it in a practical sense, NEBOSH is internationally recognised and is the benchmark. It’s what employers look for when they are recruiting.” So what about the Master’s degree that would see Bill complete his five year goal? He is now studying for the University of Hull (in partnership with NEBOSH) Masters of Research (MRes) in Occupational Health and Safety Management and says he is enjoying the challenge of “delving into a whole new level of detail”. Good luck Bill and well done; you’ve certainly made the switch. “As well as giving me knowledge and teaching me how to apply it in a practical sense, NEBOSH is internationally recognised and is the benchmark.”