NEBOSH is offering OBEs! Open Book Exams

The first of the OBEs will take place on Thursday 6th Aug 2020.

We at randr are taking External registrations for the Examination up to the closing date of 30th July at 3 pm.

These alternative assessments will be rolled out in a phased approach with priority given to learners waiting to take General Certificate exams. 

This has already led to a debate that Open Book Exams will  ‘dilute the qualification’?

I personally support the move, we have come across many an educated and competent NEBOSH candidate who falls at the last hurdle, maybe for just one module of the exam.  They are already in a role that daily challenges them and they are experienced and successful in that role.  They decide to upskill and they study the modules, cope well in class and with the homework but when the mock and the final exams come and they just don’t make the mark. 

Often a comment of “I can’t remember the last time I put pen to paper for such a long time” or "The last time I studied was for ‘O / A’ Levels", (showing my age here folks)

I have always likened NEBOSH to a driving test, all the lessons lead you to the big day when you take the final test. You are taught ‘how to pass the test’.  However, the practical confidence and experience and often the main learning come over time either by being out there on your own on the road or facing the day to day practicalities of workplace health and safety.  

Yes, we have to learn, understand and retain information, know the legislation that applies, and we need to have evidence that we have successfully qualified with ‘paper’ certificates.  But there is also the skill of understanding the problem, critical thinking,  sourcing and researching factual information and then passing and sharing, in an understandable and engaging way onto to the workforce or others who need practical guidance and often the interpretation of sometimes complex legislation on safe systems of work. 

We have all come across academics with very little common sense bright as buttons but putting things into practice or training and instructing are another skill set they may not be comfortable or confident with. 

Changes as to how we qualify can cause concern to those who got their qualifications in the old days, the hard way!! NVQ - Not Very Qualified!!  This was a comment from an employer I came across who felt NVQs were a waste of time and worth nothing.   Unlike the City and Guilds, he had passed 40 years ago, but had failed to have any continued professional development since his teens and had lost 3 fingers and half a thumb in the process of his working life as a joiner!!

There is a place for both academic and vocational qualifications.

We all know the definition of competency ...

“the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely” 

and also the importance of continuous professional development to keep us current and effective in our careers. 

So let us embrace this brave new move by NEBOSH and save our opinions until we have evidence from exam results. Candidates are still getting the same level of knowledge from highly qualified tutors and support agencies and by taking the OBEs in a more relaxed manner will hopefully improve their ongoing skill set as opposed to just the regurgitation of crammed last minute revision that can be the case with some students just looking to put a tick in the box on the CV. The OBEs give the opportunity to demonstrate a wider range of skills.

Watch this space for our results in October 

So what are your thoughts ...