AWARD WINNING FORWARD PLANNING

Little did John McCammon, an FTR officer and secretary of the Police Federation's No. 6 Regional Board, realise that attending the Federation's health and safety representatives course in August 2005 would result in him planning for a career in the health & safety sector. 

His success has been such that on Wednesday 23rd May he was presented with the award of Health and Safety Representative of the Year (2006) by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Executive, Professor Peter McKie, following his nomination by the Police Federation.  This is awarded by the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC ICTU). 

John has spent the past two years planning and training for his new career.  “In August 2005, I attended the Federation's health and safety representatives course at Garnerville to enable me to carry out the duties of a health and safety representative.  Part of this training package was an Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) approved working safety course and a certified course in risk assessment.  Because I enjoyed these courses I decided to pursue a career in occupational health and safety as, being a member of the Full-Time Reserve, I may be leaving the Police Service in 2008.”

“Knowing that PRRT offers extensive support to officers like myself I met with Careers Adviser, Sandra Herdman, to discuss my options.  As a result of this, I've spent the past two years achieving a number of qualifications at various locations.” 

“This year I will complete site management, fire safety and risk assessment courses, and next year I'm planning to complete a health and safety NVQ with the intention of working outside Northern Ireland. PRRT has helped me identify the courses I need, and through them I've been able to carry out research into the most appropriate training providers and access part-funding for all of the courses I've completed.  I've also received free training at Maryfield in basic computer skills and have availed of some of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) modules.”

“My Adviser, Sandra Herdman, arranged a tailored course for me bringing together only the key elements of a programme of computer training that were relevant to me. This, and the other PRRT courses have helped me to prepare and complete health and safety investigation reports, training lessons, audits and inspections etc.”

“PRRT has been invaluable to me, and I believe that it is important that all FTR officers should make the best use of the support already on offer.  I've found them to be very helpful both in supplying some of my training needs 'in-house' and giving me support and funding when undertaking external training. The most important thing, however, is that people give themselves adequate time to plan and prepare. You can't begin that process too early.”

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