With health and safety at the heart of everything we do, our Construction Director, Barry Maile, recently set out to deepen his expertise by completing the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification — building on years of hands-on experience in the industry.
To achieve this qualification, candidates complete in-depth training covering key areas such as risk management, construction legislation, and site safety. The assessment combines a scenario-based, open-book exam — where learners apply their knowledge to real-world situations — with a practical risk assessment carried out on a live or simulated construction site. This ensures participants not only understand health and safety principles but can confidently apply them in practice to improve standards on site.
We spoke to Barry to find out how he found the learning and what it means for him…
What motivated you to take the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction qualification at this stage in your career?
I’ve spent much of my career working on site as an Engineer and Project Manager, so I’ve always been close to construction operations. Now that I’m in the role of Construction Director and responsible for leading the Health & Safety function, I felt it was important to strengthen my understanding in this area. I hadn’t previously completed any formal health and safety training, so undertaking the NEBOSH qualification felt like the right step to ensure I’m fully equipped to lead by example and support the business in maintaining the highest safety standards.
What was the most challenging part of completing the course?
The most challenging part was knowing exactly what to write and how to structure the answers in a clear and articulate way. It’s not just about understanding the content but being able to apply it and present your thinking in the right way for the assessment – that was the tricky part for me.
How will this qualification influence the way you approach health and safety on our projects?
I’ve always had a huge respect for health and safety. Over the years, I’ve witnessed accidents and seen first-hand the impact when things go wrong and people get hurt, so it’s something I take very seriously. This qualification has strengthened that mindset even further and will help me take a more structured and proactive approach to managing health and safety across our projects.
How did you balance studying alongside your role?
I took a week away from work to concentrate fully on my studies and had lessons every day. The assessment itself was quite intensive – a 48-hour open-book, essay-based exam that required you to apply what you’d learned in a practical way. This was then followed by an interview to talk through my answers and demonstrate my understanding.
What achievement are you most proud of from completing the course?
I think the main achievement is the personal growth that comes with it. I’m a big believer in always looking to learn and improve, so it was a good opportunity to do that.
What’s next for you in terms of professional development?
At the moment, I’m focused on my current role as it’s a busy time, so I’ll see what comes next. Previously, I’ve taken part in training with Vistage, which was really valuable in helping me navigate difficult situations in business. A lot of the challenges we face come down to people – we’re all different, and it’s about understanding those differences and knowing how to manage and work with a variety of personalities effectively.
