SHEQ (Safety, health, environment and quality) advisor

How to become a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor

There are several routes to becoming a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor. You could complete a university degree, a college course, an apprenticeship, or apply to an employer directly. 

In most cases you will need a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety, or equivalent to enable you to become a SHEQ advisor. 

You should explore these routes to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

To become a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor you could study towards an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as: 

• Construction
• Engineering
• Business development

One you have finished your studies, you could complete further qualifications through the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to gain more specific skills and knowledge.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

College/training provider

You could complete a National Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) or Applied Health and Safety (NCRQ) to help you become a SHEQ advisor. 

There are no minimum entry requirements, but it’s useful to have a good understanding of the English language.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a course near you
• Funding advice

Apprenticeship

To become a SHEQ advisor you could complete an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician. You could also complete an environmental health practitioner degree apprenticeship, if you're going to work mainly in environmental safety.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you’ll be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could study to become a SHEQ advisor whilst you are working.

It’s possible to complete health and safety qualifications which can increase your chances of applying directly to an employer for a trainee position as a SHEQ advisor. Relevant courses include Health and Safety in the Workplace, Risk Assessments and Basic Accident Investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or by distance learning.

You can take approved health and safety courses through:

• NEBOSH
• British Safety Council
• National Compliance and Risk Qualifications.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills 

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor include: 

• Legal knowledge
• Good attention to detail
• Able to use your initiative
• Excellent team working skills
• Persistence and determination.

Qualifications

What does a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor do?

As a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor, you will be responsible for devising practices within a workplace to ensure health and safety, and environmental best practice on-site. You will also carry out quality control inspections to ensure high standards are kept.

The job role of a SHEQ advisor may involve the following duties: 

• Ensuring health and safety, environmental and quality standards are met on-site
• Investigating accidents and writing reports
• Identifying potential hazards
• Completing risk assessments and site inspections
• Suggesting improvements to working processes
• Ensuring staff understand safety procedures
• Checking equipment is safe
• Compiling statistics for reports and presentations
• Monitoring environmental impacts
• Developing and reviewing safety policies and procedures
• Advising and training staff on best working practices
• Liaising with inspectors and trade unions.

How much could you earn as a safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) advisor?

The expected salary for a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained SHEQ advisors can earn £25,000 - £30,000
• Trained SHEQ) advisors with some experience can earn £30,000 - £35,000
• Senior or chartered SHEQ advisors can earn £35,000 - £50,000.*

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor vacancies: 

• Indeed
• Total Jobs

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

As a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor, you could specialise in a particular area and become an environmental advisor, or legal advisor.