Level 6 Health & Safety NVQ vs NEBOSH Diploma: What’s the Difference?

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If you’re looking for a course to support your career in health & safety management, there are a number of options. These include the Level 6 Health and Safety NVQ, which we provide at CST Training, and the NEBOSH Diploma. The difference between these two can get somewhat confusing, so in today’s blog we’ll be outlining those differences. 

Why Take a NEBOSH Diploma / Level 6 Health and Safety NVQ?

Both the NEBOSH Diploma and the Level 6 Health and Safety NVQ serve, essentially, the same purpose. They are both best suited to those in Health and Safety practitioner roles. Do you have overall responsibility for, or are you largely involved in, health and safety in the workplace? Then one of these courses may be right for you. 

When it comes to more senior positions, a degree-level qualification tends to be the best route for progression. Both qualifications would be more or less equivalent to a BSc in Occupational Health and Safety. That’s why the Level 6 NVQ and the NEBOSH tend to be so valuable.

NEBOSH Diploma vs Level 6 Health and Safety NVQ: At a Glance

Let’s take a quick look at some of the main distinguishing factors between the NEBOSH and the Level 6 NVQ.

The first key difference is the way in which they are assessed. The NEBOSH is assessed via written assignments, as well as a practical workplace assessment. Previously this diploma was notorious for its long and difficult exams. But while the diploma may still be tricky, there is now less of a focus on strenuous exams.

The Level 6 NVQ, on the other hand, allows you to be assessed within your current position. You’d be putting together a portfolio of information and evidence based on activities in your workplace. That’s how you prove your competence in an NVQ- it’s far more practical than a NEBOSH Diploma. 

There are also differences in terms of the actual content of the courses. The NEBOSH Diploma is split into a handful of units, each of which cover various aspects of health and safety. Each aspect is vital for management professionals to get to grips with. These include legislation, the core principles of health & safety, common hazards, monitoring & managing health, and safety issues in the workplace. 

For the Level 6 NVQ, there are 11 units. These include the following:

• Promote a positive health and safety culture
• Develop and implement the health and safety policy
• Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information
• Develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters
• Identify, assess and control health and safety risks
• Develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety
• Develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety
• Develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures
• Develop and implement health and safety review systems
• Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice

Why Take NVQs with CST Training? 

Here at CST Training, we offer extremely competitive prices for our courses, and this Level 6 NVQ is no different. Thanks to our turnaround times, our customers are consistently satisfied. If you start this NVQ today, you could have it completed within just eight to 12 weeks.

Once you’ve completed the Level 6, you’ll also be able to apply for GRADIOSH status. GRADIOSH is a great way to enhance your career opportunities. Once you’re a Graduate Member, you’ll be working towards Chartered Status. This can usually be achieved within five years. For many, eligibility for GRADIOSH status is one of the main reasons they choose to complete the Level 6.

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