Case Studies

Lisa recently achieved the joint highest mark for her NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety exams, after already having been recognised for the top mark for Unit C. She says a little bit of fear had something to do with it.

“I have a need to know,” explained Lisa. “If I went into an exam without knowing, or at least thinking I knew all that I could, I’d be in absolute panic mode!” This resulted in a lot of hard work and revision, leading to Lisa’s achievement of top Diploma candidate. But a little bit of fear hasn’t been Lisa’s only motivation for success with NEBOSH. She also sees her qualification as a passport to career development.

Lisa left school aged 16 and went to work for ICI in a general administrative role. She was soon given an extra task of safety, health and environmental (SHE) “champion”. It was all part of a behavioural safety initiative at ICI, designed to generate worker involvement in SHE. She enjoyed the task so much she ended up moving into the health and safety department full-time, passed her NEBOSH General Certificate and started her NEBOSH Diploma.

Unfortunately, a series of redundancies at the ICI Huddersfield site where Lisa worked meant she had to find another job elsewhere and put her studies on hold. She worked at a few different places before settling into her current role at greetings cards company Hallmark, where she is a Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager.

At Hallmark Lisa was able to restart her Diploma. She needed to convert from the old Diploma 1 course to the current NEBOSH Diploma and she decided to complete all of her studies in one year.

Passing the Diploma is all part of a bigger plan for Lisa and for Hallmark. The company has never had a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) on its health and safety team. It’s something they want and that’s where Lisa is now heading thanks to her NEBOSH Diploma success. Lisa’s boss, Hallmark’s Group Safety Manager is also set to retire in a few years’ time and Lisa has her sights set on the role.

Another recent development for Lisa has been joining the NEBOSH Council. The Council provides NEBOSH with stakeholder feedback and advises on issues relating to policy.

“I felt really privileged that NEBOSH asked me to join the Council,” Lisa told us. “They’re looking to me for input from a student’s perspective.”

Isn't it funny where a little bit of fear can get you?