NEBOSH conducts an in-depth audit every two years of each NEBOSH Learning Partner and assesses them based on their performance against the Learning Partner Programme’s 6 Principles, which are:

– Ensure all learners understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from their Learning Provider.
– Create a learning environment that is engaging and encourages interaction that is appropriate for the course and type of delivery.
– Provide accurate course materials and continually update and improve them.
– Ensure tutors are qualified, knowledgeable, competent and engaging.
– Give learners feedback on their progress and provide appropriate support.
– Review course delivery and learner feedback and action as necessary.

Learning Partners are then allocated Gold, Silver or Bronze status under the scheme.

Gold status is only awarded to those Learning Partners who greatly exceed in delivering against these 6 principles. It highlights Learning Partners that provide their learners with the best possible training experience.

Needless to say all of our staff and tutors are very pleased !

UK Summer Holiday – Office Closure

Our team will be taking a break for the Summer Holiday period and our office will be closed during this time.

• Our office will close at 1.30pm on Monday 31 July 2023.
• Our office open again at 8.30am on Monday 04 September 2023.

While we will not be able to answer the phone while the office is closed, we can still be contacted by e-mail on info@woodwardgroup.co.uk over this period.

We are delighted to announce that Woodward SHE Ltd has been awarded Cyber Essentials Certification.

Cyber Essentials is a comprehensive and effective Government backed scheme that helps to protect organisations, whatever their size, against a whole range of cyber attacks. Companies bidding for Central Government contracts which involve handling sensitive and personal information or the provision of certain technical products and services now require Cyber Essentials Certification.

Woodward is proud to be able to demonstrate its commitment to cyber security and the protection we have in place for our learners, clients and employees.

You can view our Cyber Essentials Certification here: https://registry.blockmarktech.com/certificates/47d226c7-a5e9-4d15-ba5e-474ce40c3da8/

“If you’re out of the military, and weighing up your career options, it’s well worth considering health and safety. You might just surprise yourself!”

NEBOSH Case Study: Woodward SHE Ltd

NEBOSH spoke to Tom Duggan Senior from Woodward SHE Ltd, a Gold Learning Partner based in Cumbria, UK about its 30th year delivering NEBOSH courses.

Tom, 2023 is your 30th year delivering NEBOSH courses to both commercial and Ministry of Defence (MOD) leavers, what made you decide to branch out to MOD leavers?

I founded Woodward SHE Ltd. in 1992 and we’ve been involved in resettlement training since the get-go, working with privates, brigadiers, and all those in between.

It was whist delivering Management Training at Catterick Resettlement Centre for the Ministry of Defence [MOD], I was asked to deliver health and safety qualifications throughout the resettlement service at both Catterick and Aldershot Garrison.

We delivered the first NEBOSH National General Certificate resettlement course for service leavers at Catterick Garrison in March 1993. We still deliver courses at Catterick Garrison, but they are held “outside the wire” (offsite) now.

In the early nineties, service leavers faced slim pickings when it came to the job market. They might be directed to the police or roles in administration, but that was more or less it. At Woodward, we recognised the potential of service leavers to succeed in health and safety.

This is why we started working with NEBOSH; to give ex-service personnel the best chance of securing jobs in health and safety, equipping them with the qualifications, knowledge, and expertise required to begin their new careers.

What transferrable skills would you say that service leavers have that help them make great health and safety professionals?

The skills required to succeed in the military transfer impressively to those required to succeed in health and safety:

A penchant for protection

Health and safety professionals take a proactive, preventative approach to injury, accidents, and equipment failure. This explains why many who leave the Armed Forces have the passion to succeed in this field – after all, the role is primarily about inspiring groups of people to take a disciplined approach to avoid dangerous, potentially life-threatening situations. The parallels aren’t difficult to spot.

A systematic approach to work

Good health and safety professionals have the discipline to see their decisions through and develop effective routines and habits. For military men and women, discipline and commitment come as standard. Planning is also vital in health and safety, just like in the military. Getting it wrong can have huge consequences, it can even be the difference between life and death.

The ability to adapt

The old military adage, ‘no plan survives first contact’, is worth bearing in mind here. It means that those who have served in the Armed Forces have to be adaptable – their lives and the lives of others could depend on it.

A soldier who, on the battlefield, is able to analyse what’s going wrong and put it right, is clearly in good stead to apply this thinking, in the context of health and safety, in the workplace.

Class communication

Communication, in particular verbal, is a skill that the military refine in their recruits. From meetings to high-pressure and fast-paced situations, service personnel must be able to communicate effectively with their comrades.

This is a skill that organisations truly value in their health and safety professionals. Those that can make a plan, solve a problem and resolve a conflict, all while communicating with the wider workforce, contribute immensely to the success of an organisation.

What are the benefits of transitioning into a career in health and safety?

It’s a highly rewarding profession that involves supporting health and wellbeing and keeping workers safe so they can return home to their loved ones. You could even save lives.

Forget the stereotypes – it’s not just about clipboards and hi-vis jackets. Health and safety professionals are fundamental to modern businesses and play a key part in preventing workplace injuries, ill-health and deaths by managing the day-to-day risks that workers face. They help organisations stay legally compliant as well as drive business processes and culture to create a sustainable, healthy and productive workforce.

Also, it’s never dull! A career in health and safety will present new challenges daily.

Can you tell us how Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) work and the benefits of using them?

The MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme promotes lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. Providing financial support in three separate financial years, the scheme enables service leavers to study a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above with an ELCAS approved Learning Provider.

But what are the benefits? Historically, employers have been reluctant to employ former service personnel. Why? Well, one of the main sticking points was employers saying, “they don’t have any qualifications we recognise”.

By helping service personnel use their ELCs to achieve NEBOSH qualifications, we’ve given employers a clear way of measuring their capability. We’ve challenged stereotypes and outdated mindsets; giving the people we work with a new-found status and confidence to go into the job market.

What would you say to those thinking about leaving the MOD and considering a career in health and safety?

I really would say if you’re out of the military, and weighing up your career options, it’s well worth considering health and safety. You might just surprise yourself.

Originally published on the NEBOSH website here: https://www.nebosh.org.uk/our-news-and-events/case-studies/if-youre-out-of-the-military-and-weighing-up-your-career/

All the team at Woodward are really excited to have been awarded the below LINC challenge to deliver NEBOSH training courses for Sellafield Ltd.

LINC with Sellafield
Opportunity 99
Work Package 10/2023 – Provision of NEBOSH Safety Training

We delivered our first closed / in-house training course for Sellafield [then BNFL] delegates at Summergrove in 1995 and we have worked closely with Sellafield ever since.

We are looking forward to being able to continue this excellent relationship through the LINC with Sellafield scheme.

Image is the LINC Award Notice, published on page 6 of the Sellafield Supply Chain Bulletin – May 2023.

NEBOSH prides itself on rigorous and respected qualifications that prepare learners for the workplace and support their continued professional development. Key to maintaining these standards is regular review process of all NEBOSH qualifications. The most recent has resulted in some positive changes for the NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals.

This article by NEBOSH provides an overview of the changes they have made and the impact on learners at different stages of their qualification journey.

*Please note, NEBOSH have not made any changes to syllabus content and the learning outcomes remain unchanged.

Change of regulator from SQA Accreditation to Ofqual

The NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is moving to Ofqual regulation. This will take effect from the July Diploma assessments.

Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments, and offers regulatory protection for NEBOSH Diplomas taken internationally and in the UK.
These qualifications were previously regulated by SQA Accreditation. Even though SQA Accreditation do not regulate overseas, NEBOSH has always required all of its Learning Partners to adhere to the same high standards in relation to processes and quality checks regardless of location.

Because of the change in regulator, the Diplomas will be classed as new specifications (May 2023) and will have new qualification titles in line with Ofqual requirements. These are:

• NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals
• NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals
• These will be in effect from the Diploma assessments commencing 19 July 2023.

As we move to Ofqual regulation, some of our policies and processes will change for Diploma learners only. These will be signposted alongside relevant information on our website.

Moving to Ofqual means that we will regain IOSH membership recognition for our overseas learners (see following section for further details).

IOSH membership recognition

As part of the changes to its accreditation processes in 2022, IOSH announced it will no longer accredit qualifications that are not regulated. SQA Accreditation does not currently regulate outside of the UK and therefore does not permit use of its logo on parchments where learners took their assessments outside of the UK. This change meant that any NEBOSH learner who took their Diploma assessments outside of the UK would not be eligible to use their NEBOSH qualification towards IOSH membership unless they had registered/enrolled with NEBOSH by 31 August 2022.

By moving to Ofqual regulation, we are able to fulfil IOSH’s accreditation requirement for regulation in any country that a learner takes their Diploma assessments. We therefore re-applied for IOSH recognition and can confirm that the NEBOSH National and International Diplomas meet the academic requirements to apply for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade*^

Recognition by BCSP, BCRSP and IIRSM remain unaffected.

*IOSH retains the right to change its membership standards, recognition, and grade entry requirements. Please check the latest IOSH membership eligibility criteria at the time of applying.
^Please refer to the learner scenarios at the end of this article for details related to learners at different stages of their qualification journey.

Assessment changes

Applies to Diploma assessments taking place on or after 19 July 2023.

New unit codes

National Diploma ND unit codes will change to DN (e.g. unit DN1), and International Diploma ID unit codes will change to DI (e.g. unit DI1). This is to help distinguish between the qualification specifications.

The unit titles will remain the same as the July 2020 specifications.

Mark changes

The total marks per unit assessment will be reduced as follows:

• DN1/DI1 will reduce from 550 to 300 total marks
• DN2/DI2 will reduce from 300 to 175 total marks
• DN3/DI3 will reduce from 230 to 175 total marks.

DN1/DI1 will still consist of two papers; the second paper will have one ‘combined part’ (instead of being split into parts 2, 3 and 4). Paper 1 will be 100 marks (reduced from 150 marks) and Paper 2 will be 200 marks (instead of 400 marks).

Reduced assessment hours

Due to the reduced total marks for each Diploma unit assessment, it will not take learners as long to complete and submit their assessments. Therefore, the expected total hours to complete and submission windows will change as follows:

• DN1/DI1 will reduce from 60 to 40 hours completion time. The submission window will be reduced from 6 weeks to 4 weeks from the assessment release date.
• DN2/DI2 will reduce from 40 to 20 hours completion time. The submission window will be reduced from 4 weeks to 2 weeks from the assessment release date.
• DN3/DI3 will reduce from 40 hours to 20 hours completion time. The submission window will be reduced from 4 weeks to 2 weeks from the assessment release date.

Due to the change in assessment duration, the submission dates have changed. The submission deadline will also be listed on a learner’s individual Assessment Registration Confirmation email at the time of registration for an assessment: Diploma assessment window and submission dates.

Sample assessment papers are available to download from our website: Diploma assessment recourses.

Reduced total qualification time and credits

Due to the assessment hours being reduced, the total qualification time and credits has reduced accordingly. Please note that there are no changes to the taught or private study hours, as the syllabus content has not been changed from the July 2020 specification.

• National Diploma – total qualification time reduced to 415 hours (43 credits)
• International Diploma – total qualification time reduced to 409 hours (42 credits)

Learner scenarios for IOSH membership applications

Learners who achieved their Diploma qualification before August 2024 and were registered with NEBOSH before August 2022

Learners who achieved either a Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (2020 specification) or a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (2015) can apply for IOSH membership at the appropriate grade, irrespective of the country they took their qualification or whether their Diploma parchment features a regulator logo.

Learners who are studying for a NEBOSH Diploma but have not yet achieved all units

Learners who are still studying their NEBOSH Diploma (not yet achieved all three units of the Diploma qualification) will move to the Ofqual regulated version of the qualification. Any units already achieved under the July 2020 specification will be automatically transferred across as recognised prior learning towards the Ofqual regulated version.

This means that, when learners achieve their qualification, it will be under Ofqual regulation. The learner’s final parchment will feature an Ofqual logo, enabling them to use their qualification towards IOSH membership.

Learners do not have to do anything, NEBOSH will transfer studying learners to the new specification automatically.

Please note, that any remaining unit(s) will be assessed under the amended assessment structure outlined in the previous Assessment Changes section. Please also note the change in assessment window and submission dates. The submission deadline will also be listed on a learner’s individual Assessment Registration Confirmation email at the time of registration for an assessment: Diploma assessment window and submission dates.

*UK learners only. Where learners have not yet passed all three units, but are awaiting results for a final unit assessment which was taken before July 2023, the parchment will still contain the SQA Accreditation regulator logo. This is because learners will need to pass at least one Ofqual-regulated unit assessment in order to achieve the Ofqual logo on their parchment. Please see section below for what this means if a learner registered after August 2022

Learners who enrolled on the NEBOSH Diploma after August 2022 and passed all units before the July 2023 DN3/DI3 assessment

Learners who enrolled after August 2022 and passed all their Diploma assessments in the UK before the July 2023 DN3/DI3 assessment will have gained their qualification under SQA Accreditation regulation and their parchment will feature the SQA Accreditation Logo. These learners can use their qualification towards IOSH membership applications.

Learners outside of the UK who enrolled after August 2022 and passed all their Diploma assessments before the July 2023 DN3/DI3 assessment will have gained a qualification that does not include a regulator logo on their final parchment. Unfortunately, this means that a small number of learners may be unable to use their qualification towards IOSH membership.

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Article adapted from original posted on the NEBOSH website here: https://www.nebosh.org.uk/our-news-and-events/our-news/nebosh-national-and-international-diploma-update-a-new/

UK Easter Bank Holiday – Office Closure

Our team will be taking a break over Easter and our office will be closed during this time.

• Our offices will close at 1.30pm on Thursday 06 April 2023.
• Our offices open again at 8.30am on Wednesday 12 April 2023.

While we will not be able to answer the phone while the office is closed, we can still be contacted by e-mail on info@woodwardgroup.co.uk over this period.

Holiday Office Closure

Our team will be taking an extended break over the festive season and our office will be closed during this time.

• Our offices will close at 1.30pm on Thursday 22 December 2022.
• Our offices open again at 8.30am on Wednesday 04 January 2023.

While we will not be able to answer the phone while the office is closed, we can still be contacted by e-mail on info@woodwardgroup.co.uk over this period.

We would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and safe and healthy New Year!