Quotes and feedback from successfully completed SHEilds Vocational Training NVQ candidates
Amy Collins - Avon Fire and Rescue
I had an enjoyable learning experience with SHEilds from beginning to end. The registration process was informative in a comprehensive way and the emails were friendly. This made for a welcoming introduction to the course. Submitted units were marked quickly and the feedback was always helpful. My tutor was very approachable and knowledgeable. I found the website and its forums to be a great way to meet other students and get advice.
Luke Pitt - Health & Safety Advisor & Director - LARP Safety Limited
My career since the NVQ has really gone from strength to strength as it has opened a lot of doors for me which were firmly shut until I had gained this type of qualification and in hindsight this is rightfully so.
I have found that like most things, you also need to gain a reputation as well as having the qualifications, and that is one of the hardest things to obtain, yes you may have the NVQ, but then it's a matter of networking and selling yourself out there in a very harsh environment and believing that what you have and the work you put into obtaining it is enough to be credible within the industry.
After about a year of gaining my NVQ 4 , I then looked to undertake the Charter process by applying to take the IOSH open book exam (which if you take the NVQ4 is the route you have to take). This is actually a lot harder than most people think as IOSH know you have access to the information and as such have an expectation that your answers should be better than if you were trying to remember all the details in an exam room. I took it and passed and then went forward then to my peer group interview. This was in August of this year and as you can see was successful. I was awarded Chartered status on the 11th August 2011 and I am immensely proud of getting as far as I have and grateful for your companies assistance in guiding me through that very important first stage.
It is really important to know that whichever way you start in H&S, the end result of being Chartered is the best way of showing either your company or client base that you are at the very top of your professional tree.
Eddie Walters
Pretty standard as far as the IOSH process is concerned. I achieved the NVQ 4 with Sheilds as I was in the transition from Grad IOSH. I managed to apply for the chartered interview with only days to spare, but made it thanks to your prompt turn around and feedback. I was confident enough to send the application through after having received verbal feedback from your team.
After achieving Chartered certification I was asked for some general discussions with IOSH about several other areas of interest through my work. This eventually led to a chat about being a member of the IOSH Chartered Interval panel.
I have sat on several panels since 2010 and hope to progress to chairman of the panel in the near future.
Steve Smith
After gaining my NVQ I was able to upgrade to Grad IOSH this I obtained within a short time.
The upgrade to CMIOSH itself took approximately 2 years to achieve, I first had to pass an open assessment which consisted of a number of questions covering a wide range of subjects. the answers being limited in words and a time limit of 10 days.
This I passed at first attempt. I then had to attend a peer interview which consisted of a short presentation by me, about me and my career so far and what I hope to do in the future, followed by a question and answer session.
The peer review I passed on the second attempt and it was put forward for ratification by the IOSH board in October of this year.I received confirmation of this a short time later.
The benefits are that it has raised my professional profile and that of the organisation I work for, and validates the work ethic, including that of IOSH. It has raised my personal and profession profile with my colleagues who trust in my ability and seek out knowledge and guidance.
As for the future I hope it will take me on to a more responsible position within the profession I am dedicated to.
Andrew Clark - Health & Safety Advisor, Pocklington School
I started the course what seems like a very long time ago in fact it has been almost two years since I took my first tentative steps towards completing the NVQ. I had promised myself that after attending the NVQ workshop held in Grimsby that I would have it all completed within 9 months. Work commitments and family life overtook me however and so I ended up using almost the entire allocated amount of time for completion.
I would strongly recommend that anyone considering the NVQ route uses the opportunity of the workshop, as in my case never having carried out an NVQ prior to this; I found it to be extremely useful in letting me know what was expected to complete the modules..
During the whole process I received positive feedback on all the evidence submitted and the occasional pointer as to where the work could be improved upon. From a personal point of view this worked extremely well and I would thoroughly recommend the NVQ path to anyone wishing to gain a Diploma level health & safety qualification. A big thank you to all the team at SHEilds, who helped me along the way.
John O’Rourke - QHSE Manager, Arthur McKay & Co. Ltd
Two years ago I researched the possibility of attaining the qualification in a manner that suited not only my day job but also my personal life.
I contacted a number of providers for details of what was on offer both price wise and content.
SHEilds certainly ticked all the boxes; however I was in Edinburgh and you where in Grimsby and I thought that there may be issues if I needed help or support and a local provider may be more suitable.
One phone call from SHEilds convinced me that you were the right provider and I signed up that day.
The material came through I worked at my own pace, received excellent encouragement and guidance, any adjustments to my work was backed up with advice and constructive feedback.
You kept me on track and motivated and although it seemed like a long road you helped to keep me focussed to complete each module
I now have the qualification I wanted, I have gained promotion, so both sets of goals have been met and a big thank you goes to all the people at SHEilds who helped me attain my goals
I would certainly use SHEilds again and would not hesitate to recommend you to other potential customers.
Andrew Clarke - Safety Trainer for Training at Naver
I started a level 4 NVQ in Occupational Safety and Health with SHields in order to give myself better credibility as a trainer. When embarking on a career in any Health and Safety orientated post, qualifications are a necessity.
During my time working on the level 4 NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety, I found the people at SHields to be very helpful. As time went by, my job changed with my partner leaving for another job and leaving me with a heavy workload, but due to the inherent flexibility of an NVQ I was able to put it on hold until it suited me to start work on it again. Whenever I had any queries or uncertainties about the evidence required, I just phoned up and had a chat with the SHields team and clarified the situation. I am now the proud owner of a level 4 NVQ and I know I wouldn't have managed without the support of the SHields team.
Gary Piper - Health and Safety Technician for the Wrigley Company UK
I would like to convey my gratitude to you and your team on the completion of my NVQ 5. The quality of service I received from yourself and Matt King was exceptional and contributed greatly in easing my journey through this process.
I want to further thank you Sarah, for your professionalism and technical ability to guide me through the NVQ 5 qualification. Your knowledge of all things appertaining to Health and Safety was invaluable to me. You gave your advice freely and you were very patient with me when I struggled to understand a concept.
I found all of the team based in Grimsby approachable and helpful. I never felt alone on this journey because the SHEilds Customer Service and Support were excellent.
I would like to end this Testimonial by saying that I would unreservedly recommend SHEilds as an NVQ 5 Course Provider for Health and Safety and would be please to share my experiences with any potential client should you like me to do so.
Mr R Farrow - Site Manager
I enrolled with SHEilds in July 2010 on the NVQ level 4 Occupational Health and safety e-course.
I found the initial advice I received from the SHEilds adviser very helpful, she explained how the units are broken down and what level of knowledge would be needed to fulfil the course.
Once registered i very quickly received my login details to gain access to the course material and my NVQ guidebook.
My initial reaction on viewing the course material was one of panic! However after a short telephone conversation with my shields assessor my mind was put at rest as he explained the best way to proceed and encouraged me to progress one step at a time rather than look at all the assessments/moderns at once.
I found during the eight months it took me to complete the level 4 NVQ all the SHEilds assessors I dealt with were extremely helpful and very patient ,they offered guidance and support and explained in plain English what was required to fulfil any particular modules or sections I may have been struggling with.
I found SHEilds to be professional while maintaining a personal friendly touch. Course work Feedback was given quickly and where additional information /work were required the feedback always gave constructive advice.
I would have no hesitation in recommending SHEilds should you be looking to do a distance learning course.