Ben Stewart

Job Before: Construction Worker

Ben Stewart IT Career Switch

Job Now: OHSE Advisor @ Byrne Bros

 

 

Ben Stewart IT Career Switch
Course: Health and Safety Traineeship
Placement Date: May 2025
Why did you start the Traineeship?
I was working as a construction worker, but wanted to get out of it following my own workplace accident, which made manual labour on a daily basis a struggle. I had a new passion for health and safety and its importance in the workplace, but I was worried that I would struggle to transition into office-based work due to my CV lacking any real experience in this.

That’s when I found IT Career Switch, who offered a Health and Safety Traineeship with the qualifications needed to bridge the skill gap. Having a money-back guarantee gave me confidence that at the end of it I would be starting a new career, and even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be out of pocket!

What did you enjoy most about the Traineeship?
The course itself is very well structured and flows in a logical way. Starting off with the shorter, and slightly easier IOSH Managing Safely certificate, you get a good feel of what is expected of you. Getting that first industry qualification under your belt so early on gives you a great sense of achievement, and gives you the confidence and enthusiasm for the NEBOSH qualification.

I also really enjoyed the recruitment process. Having a CV that IT Career Switch helped with, as well as the qualifications behind me, gave me the belief when applying for jobs that I had every chance of getting them.

What's your current role like?
I’m now an OHSE Advisor for Byrne-Bros, responsible for ensuring compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation on multiple large construction sites. The role involves risk assessing, accident investigation, delivering site inductions and toolbox talks, and much more, all of which are possible through the knowledge gained during my Traineeship.

It’s a great feeling having a high level of responsibility, and I’m really enjoying making a positive impact on health and safety culture, and ensuring everyone gets to go home unharmed at the end of the day.