The seasoned OSH consultant recently completed the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management and is full of praise for the SIT2LRN course.
“I totally give credit to all my facilitators, especially Dr John Wallaart, who went above and beyond to help me learn and grow. I would recommend SIT2LRN to everyone, as facilitators like Dr Wallaart want you to succeed and are there to help you to learn and grow and support you when you are struggling.”
Maninder has worked with clients with traumatic head injuries for more than 10 years and, after investigating injury triggers, realised about 45 per cent of the work injuries could have been prevented if the workplace had been a safer environment.
“I believe everyone is responsible for their own and their colleagues’ safety in the workplace and a missed opportunity in workplace safety can lead to a devastating accident. Sending people home safely is fundamentally important to me.”
Maninder has more than 10 years’ experience in facilitating rehabilitation, injury prevention and management strategies, return to work programmes and managing stakeholder expectations and has now set up his own independent occupational wellbeing, health and safety consultancy business.
“I’ve always loved helping people and I get a kick out of sharing ideas and opportunities and seeing things improve because of it. Every phone call, every meeting, every OSH referral is an opportunity to help someone understand the impact of risks and why is it important to ultimately eradicate those risks and create a safer work environment.
“I’m passionate about promoting workplace safety and well-being and wanted to make a difference by completing OSH audits and risks highlight to employers and understanding how we mitigate and address those risks in the workplace,” he said.
To be successful in his study, Maninder realised he needed flexibility to be able to manage his work and home lives and was grateful that this was something studying with SIT2LRN offered.
“My study was done while working full-time as a safety and wellbeing professional, which is a testament of my work ethic, resilience and ability to work under pressure.
“By doing this course I became familiar with current safety research, theories and practical approaches that underpin or inform the various current safety and wellbeing approaches.”
The study has positioned him well in the industry and provided a great foundation on which to launch his career.
“Completing my qualification through SIT2LRN has led me to a world of opportunities in various industries such as FMGC [fast- moving consumer goods], hospitality, construction, retail and the corporate sector.”
And his advice for anyone contemplating the course? “To help you quench your passion in the world of OSH, you just have to do it.”
“I have started as a self-employed consultant and am enjoying every part of conducting safety audits and providing sustainable and cost- effective solutions to my customers. It is really rewarding when you can make a difference at a workplace.”