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highlighted as other attributes a would- offer a lot of value: “The real value
be health and safety professional of mentoring lies in the people – the
needs. Amitabh Bhattacharya, Lead mentors and the mentees. It is about
HSE Specialist at Baker Hughes, says: giving young employees the opportunity
“You need to like to identify problems to cultivate meaningful relationships
in your surroundings and come up with strong, inspirational role models
with a solution.” and experts, so that they can benefit.”
For Paul Young, HSE Advisor/ However, finding the right mentor is
Tech Support for Shell, effective not simply a case of finding someone
communication is an essential skill: with a lot of experience and knowledge.
“My environmental degree pushed Engagement with our health Dr Jawahery provides a checklist of key
me towards environmental roles, but and safety system across things to consider in a potential mentor:
Shell saw that I had the potential to the organisation is really Compatibility
become a rounded HSE advisor due to Your mentor is someone who you will
my soft skills and influencing qualities. important to us. Having one be working closely with. You have
I’m really keen on championing in seven personnel NEBOSH to be compatible with this person,
safety and making it more engaging qualified significantly raises otherwise the relationship can feel
through creative methods and various our capability and competence strained or forced.
communications styles, for example.” Contrast
levels and also provides A mentor helps you step outside your
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD EMPLOYER operational benefits comfort zone, so this person should be
The employers you work for will be a bit outside your comfort zone as well.
fundamental to your development as You do not want a clone of yourself or
a health and safety professional. Their part of my continuous development your best friend as a mentor.
desire and passion to protect people as an Operational Safety Graduate, Expertise
should match your own. Shell signed me up for the NEBOSH It is not about finding a mentor with
Louise Taggart is a NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational the most years of experience or
Ambassador and workplace safety Health and Safety. Studying and the biggest title. It is about finding
speaker. She says: “At the heart of your then having the opportunity to apply a mentor with the knowledge and
organisation’s ‘why’ should not lie everything on site was such an expertise to help you on your journey.
‘we want to avoid ending up in court’ advantage and the practical element Trust
or ‘because we’ll have the authorities just helps to verify everything.” You will be telling your mentor things
crawling all over us’. It should always For people with international career in confidence, so trust is of utmost
be its desire to care for its people.” aspirations, it’s important to have a importance. This trust should go both
David Ongesa also suggests that qualification that will travel and for ways, as the relationship will be the
you should look for “an organisation Amitabh “NEBOSH holds a very firm most successful when they trust you
that provides you with a platform to reputation globally and it brings a lot of as well. Build on this mutual trust to
grow career wise and has a career value for an international career. It is get the most out of your relationship.
development plan for all staff.” one of the important qualifications for a Networking is also a great way
HSE professional.” to develop your health and safety
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS Biogen is one of the largest operators knowledge, contacts and career; the
The guide’s contributors have a huge of anaerobic digestion plants in the UK, profession offers many opportunities
range of qualifications and there are a producing biogas and bio-fertiliser. As to do so, from events and awards to
lots of training routes that health and part of its health and safety strategy, memberships, alumni and online
safety professionals could take. What’s Biogen has set the goal of having at groups. David Ongesa says: “Networking
more, whether you prefer to learn face- least 25 members of its workforce at opens you up to new opportunities,
to-face in the classroom, part-time or the NEBOSH Certificate level. Biogen’s knowledge sharing, access to resource
online, there is something to suit you. Peter Bailey says: “Engagement with databases, the world’s best safety
Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, President our health and safety system across practices and keeps you updated on
of Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co the organisation is really important emerging health and safety issues.”
and a NEBOSH Ambassador, advises: to us. Having one in seven personnel Karen McDonnell is Occupational
“Get the qualifications that matter; the NEBOSH qualified significantly raises Health and Safety Policy Advisor for
minimum to start a career in health our capability and competence levels the Royal Society for the Prevention of
and safety is the NEBOSH General and also provides operational benefits. Accidents (RoSPA) and Head of RoSPA
Certificate.” However, life and work For example, when one of our remote in Scotland. She adds: “It’s a must.
provide additional opportunities to locations was inspected by the Health Networking now takes many forms. Find
learn and Dr Jawahery adds: “Training and Safety Executive, we were confident discussion forums and contribute, invite
is not just kept to the classroom. in local management handling it all local practitioners to your workplace
Health and safety is on the job training; because they had been through the for an informal walk around, find
immerse yourself in the workplace – NEBOSH Certificate. Overall, it’s a great champions for topics you are interested
explore it from top to bottom. Open development for Biogen.” in and start sharing information.”
every door and explore. You will find
yourself examining health and safety in MENTORING AND NETWORKING NEBOSH’s new guide, Do Something
your home and everywhere you visit.” Finding a good mentor and engaging in Great: Your Health and Safety Career
Paul Young adds: “I had limited networking can be a real career boost. is available to download from
knowledge of health and safety, so as For Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, mentors www.nebosh.org.uk/dosomethinggreat

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