Career as Environmental Health Officer

[GasLIghtShining]

Not sure where to post this to get people's attention

My DD (20) is looking at going back into education. One of areas she is looking at is becoming a EHO.

Does anyone have any advice? From what we have found on the internet she can do a degree or start at a lower level and do it on the job. Is one route better than the other?

On the other hand should she be avoiding this like the plague (public sector and all that)?

Appreciate the job is pretty specific so may out people so happy if you wantt to PM me

Thanks

I'd say avoid like the plague. I think a lot of universities are no longer offering the course as there isn't the jobs at the end of it.

There are no jobs. Dh is one. They are cutting back everywhere. Most jobs are only temporary, fixed term contracts.

Robin Thanks. I noticed one uni said 2014 (I think) was the last intake which made me think

lefty Again thanks. I did google job vacancies and notice that.

It is a big thing for her to be looking at this so I didn't want to come across as being negative with out reason. She is looking at the hospitality side so you may see a post about this soon. Or about my DS (in Y12) wanting to do a sports degree.

It is a minefield. I have read articles about various jobs/careers where the number of places on courses far outweighs the actual jobs available. One of these was at further education level never mind degree level. Frightening.

You can PM me if you like, I am one

There is at least one other of us on here.

I am one too (London borough). Feel free to PM me. Although yes, there are public sector cuts, there are many statutory functions which are often not suitable for outsourcing. We've just recruited for 3 food officers, 3 housing officers & 1 licensing officer.

My dh works in a related role (not an EHO but closely aligned and does an on-call EHO rota). He considered training as an EHO for abour 30 sec, and waa very concerned about employment at the end of it all.

Thanks Pseudo and AF77.

Do you think it is an area thing then to how any cuts are hitting. Are there some EHOs in areas doing the job of 2.

My DD did food and nutrition and also food technology as a levels so expect that is the route she would like to go

meant to say that I have suggested that she contacts our local office and try to get some work experience.

Took her less than two days work experience with me and she said she doesn't want my job!!

Where are you OP? In London boroughs, work is less likely to be generic. We have separate food, housing, H&S & env protection EHOs. Outside of London & in smaller authorities, I think you're more likely to work in more than one field. Contact the education officers at the CIEH for more advice.

Sorry it's taken so long to come back. I'm Central London and agree no generic EHOs here.
I love my job but it's certainly not a classic EHO role, I'm in a very very specialised team which is specific to the location in which I work. I wish I was more generic tbh!
So the course requires a year in the workplace and this may very well be unpaid, or only nominally paid. These placements are very sought after, would she be willing to move to chase them?
Then after/concurrent with the degree there's the professional interview, exam and portfolio to do as well.
There are jobs, but most want experience and someone to hit the ground running.
Definitely look at the CIEH website, which I'm sure you have done. I'll do my best to think of other pertinent comments and posts again.

We are in Worcestershire. I would imagine perhaps out here in the shires it could be more generic.

I have family in a couple of other areas of the country so if any workplace would need to be in an area where she can stop with family or be within driving distance of home.

Because she has delayed higher education we will be in the position of having 2 children going through it all at the same time so financial help will not be abundant. Am starting to have sympathy for parents of twins!!!

She is home tomorrow so is going to start making some phone calls re careers advice and to the council.

I have read the website (although I think I will need to read it again a few more times) and have e-mailed the link to DD.

Thanks ever so much everyone.

I work in a related field. Challenging work. Interesting. Varied. There will always be a need. Lots of related career paths afterwards...