When it comes to health and safety courses, each different program offered has its own specific curriculum. When comparing the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety and the NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Health and Safety, it is easy to see the differences between these two courses. However, they are also quite similar in a number of ways as well.
Let’s take a look at these two courses in depth and find out how they are similar, how they are different and what important health and safety information they convey.
Who are these OH&S training courses for?
The NVQ Level 3 Health and Safety, which is certified by ProQual, is designed for anyone who wants to build upon their health and safety career. If you are taking this course, you will need to be employed within a role that has some sort of health and safety duties or responsibilities. The NEBOSH General Certificate course is for supervisors, managers and other non-safety specialists within the organisation who have health and safety responsibilities.
What Do the Occupational Health & Safety Courses Cover?
Each course covers a number of important aspects when it comes to health and safety. The NEBOSH General Certificate will cover how to identify hazards, perform risk assessments and record findings. Also, it will cover how to apply the safe systems of work, advice on minimising risks and how to explain the procedures and processes for reporting and investigating accidents.
The NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Health and Safety has five units and they include how to monitor safety controls, how to promote a culture of health and safety, how to conduct health and safety assessments and how to reduce health and safety risks. The NVQ level 3 is a work based course, which means that you will build a portfolio throughout the course to showcase your work experience and your skills. Afterward, you will be given the support of an experience tutor who will help you to compile your portfolio within an electronic portfolio system that has been approved by ProQual.
Course Durations
Another one of the main differences between these two courses is the duration. The NVQ Level 3 Health and Safety in Practice course is work based, which means that each candidate will be able to complete it in their own time. Most of the time, this course is completed within 6-12 months, but of course this varies from each candidate. However, the minimum amount of time on the course is 10 weeks, as you will not be able to claim your certification until 10 weeks after you have registered.
The NEBOSH course is slightly different in structure, as it allows you to choose between a classroom learning environment and an e-learning or distance learning option. The e-learning and distance learning course allows you to complete it at your own pace, but the tutor led courses can also vary in duration and frequency depending on the location and the date that you choose to take the training.
Health and Safety Course Assessment
When it comes to the final course assessment, there is a difference between these two courses. Mainly, it is that the NEBOSH General Certificate qualification requires delegates to pass two exams as well as a written practical assessment. However, the NVQ Level 3 Health and Safety course does not require any exams, instead success is based on a portfolio and work performance. This is why the course participants will work together with the tutor to ensure that the portfolio meets the standards of ProQual before it is submitted.
These are just a few of the main differences between these two health and safety courses. To find out more, feel free to contact us today.