Essex IOSH Community - Opening Doors in OSH

This interactive event is ideal for students, career changers, IOSH members, recruiters and OSH leaders. Discover routes into the profession, meet employers, explore training options and gain real insight into what OSH careers look like today.

Event Schedule

🕐 12:00 to 12:30 | Innovation Centre Café

Welcome and Informal Introductions
Welcome from the IOSH Branch Chair, Committee, Mentor team and University representatives. Overview of the event theme and aims.

🕐 12:30 to 13:45 | Innovation Centre Café

Interactive Lunch Session: Meet, Ask, Explore
A highly engaging session split across two interactive zones.

1. Speed Mentoring Tables
Rotate between tables hosted by:
• Experienced OSH professionals offering CV and career advice
• Recruiters sharing job search tips and interview insights
• Mentors explaining what to expect in your first OSH role

Ideal for students, career changers and anyone considering their next step.

2. A Day in the Life Posters and Discussion Zone
View real working day timelines from OSH professionals in:
• Construction
• Higher Education
• Consultancy
• Public Sector and Local Government

Speak directly with the individuals behind each poster to learn how varied and rewarding OSH can be.

🕐 13:45 to 14:00 | Move to the Auditorium, Essex Business School

Walk to the Essex Business School Auditorium.

🕐 14:00 to 14:30 | Auditorium, Essex Business School

Session 1: Behind the Hiring Desk
What Employers Really Want in OSH Professionals

A combined panel featuring hiring managers, recruiters and senior OSH practitioners. Topics include:
• What makes a candidate stand out in a CV or interview
• What hiring managers are really looking for
• Examples of strong and weak applications
• How qualifications are viewed, including NEBOSH, NCRQ, degrees and apprenticeships
• The evolving meaning of competence
• Key soft skills such as influence, communication and resilience
• Future ready OSH expectations including sustainability, wellbeing and digital skills
• Group discussion: What makes someone competent in OSH today

Ideal for students, jobseekers and hiring managers.

🕐 14:45 to 15:30 | Auditorium, Essex Business School

Session 2: Routes In, Roads Forward
Training, Early Careers and Ongoing Development

This session covers:
• Experiences from early career OSH professionals
• Key OSH training paths including NEBOSH, NCRQ, degrees, apprenticeships and postgraduate routes
• Typical costs, timeframes and employer perceptions
• CPD and IOSH progression including IOSH e-learning, in house training and the IOSH Blueprint tool
• Honest reflections on what helps in the early stages and what does not
• Guidance for mentors and leaders on supporting new entrants

🕐 15:30 to 15:45

Closing Remarks and Thank You
A recap of the day. Closing remarks, key takeaways and final networking.

Please note:

This is an in‑person event intended for those based in the region of Essex. Please only register if you are able to travel to the venue.

Lunch and free parking (designated area only) are included.

If you have dietary, accessibility, or other requirements, please contact us at [email protected] in advance.

This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge to enhance your professional journey. This event plans to cover the following IOSH competencies: learning organisation (core), coaching and mentoring (behavioural) and continuous improvement (technical) at understand and implement level.

The event is open to members and non-members.

This information will be shared with the venue that you are attending to help ensure staff are ready to assist if you need it.

As part of IOSH charitable objects, we offer this event free of charge. As we have limited spaces, we kindly ask that you inform us as soon as possible if you are no longer able to attend. This will allow us to offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. Please contact us at [email protected] thank you for your consideration.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted IOSH website terms and conditions | IOSH and IOSH privacy notice | IOSH.

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Host or Publisher IOSH - Essex Branch