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Trainee Inspector

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Trainee Inspector of Health and Safety – Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is recruiting nine Trainee Inspectors of Health and Safety for permanent, full-time positions across several UK locations. This opportunity offers structured regulatory training, professional development and the chance to help protect workers and the public by improving workplace health and safety.

Important: Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. The advert explicitly states that applicants who require sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system will not be considered.

Job Overview

  • Job title: Trainee Inspector of Health and Safety
  • Employer: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
  • Salary: £38,005–£41,065 initially, rising to £47,686 after successful completion of the Regulatory Training Programme
  • London allowance: An additional £4,541 per year (full-time equivalent), where applicable
  • Job grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Working pattern: Full-time, with flexible working arrangements where suitable
  • Number of vacancies: 9
  • Locations: Aberdeen, Basingstoke, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Chelmsford, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Oxted and Wrexham
  • Closing date: Friday, 30 October 2026, at 12 noon
  • Reference number: 475176
  • Visa sponsorship: Not available
  • Minimum qualification: A 2:2 degree in any subject, or an accepted equivalent qualification
  • Driving licence: Full UK driving licence required at the time of application, subject to reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010

About the Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive works to prevent work-related deaths, injuries and ill health. Its inspectors visit workplaces, investigate safety concerns and enforce health and safety legislation where necessary.

As a trainee inspector, you will receive professional training and practical experience to help you assess workplace risks, identify breaches of the law and support employers in meeting their legal responsibilities.

This is a varied role for people who want to make a meaningful difference, develop their analytical and communication skills, and build a career in workplace regulation.

Key Responsibilities

As a Trainee Inspector of Health and Safety, your duties will include:

  • Carrying out workplace inspections and investigations, sometimes alongside specialists and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Assessing how employers manage risks affecting employees, contractors and members of the public.
  • Gathering and analysing evidence to determine whether organisations comply with health and safety legislation.
  • Planning and managing a caseload of regulatory inspections and other activities.
  • Explaining legal breaches to employers and securing appropriate corrective action.
  • Taking proportionate enforcement action, ranging from advice to formal notices and recommendations for prosecution where justified.
  • Preparing reports and making evidence-based regulatory decisions.
  • Attending court or tribunals to provide evidence when required.
  • Communicating professionally with employers, workers, regulators and other stakeholders.
  • Working collaboratively with colleagues, sharing knowledge and contributing to team development.

The role may involve visiting different workplaces, walking or standing for extended periods, accessing uneven surfaces or elevated areas, and occasionally working outside normal hours.

Training and Career Development

Successful candidates will follow a structured Regulatory Training Programme combining online learning, tutorials, workshops and supervised practical experience in the field.

Training will help you develop knowledge of health and safety legislation, regulatory practice, risk management, evidence gathering, enforcement and professional decision-making.

Successful completion of the programme leads to progression to the inspector career grade, with the advertised salary rising to £47,686, subject to the applicable conditions.

The HSE also provides ongoing learning and development tailored to the role.

Essential Skills and Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the following skills and qualities:

  • Communication and influencing: The ability to communicate clearly, work with others and influence people, including those who may disagree with your findings.
  • Analytical thinking: Confidence reviewing information, identifying important findings, drawing conclusions and presenting evidence clearly.
  • Planning and organisation: The ability to manage competing tasks, adapt to changing priorities and deliver work at pace.
  • Decision-making: Experience making sound decisions, taking initiative and managing challenging situations or stakeholders.
  • Commitment to learning: A willingness to develop professionally, seek feedback and improve performance continuously.

You must also be committed to improving workplace health and safety.

Qualifications and Driving Licence

Qualification requirement: You need at least a 2:2 degree in any subject, a higher qualification such as a master’s degree, or an accepted Level 6 equivalent qualification or Level 10 Scottish equivalent.

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Driving licence requirement: You must hold a full UK driving licence when applying. If you require a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010, contact traineeinspectorrecruitment@hse.gov.uk before submitting your application.

The position involves regular travel to workplaces across your selected region, so applicants should consider the practicalities of travelling to their allocated office and inspection sites.

Working Pattern and Hybrid Arrangements

This vacancy is exclusively full-time because of the nature of the inspection duties. Inspectors typically spend at least two full days per week visiting sites, and some work may take place outside standard working hours.

HSE offers hybrid working where appropriate. Under the advertised arrangement, employees are generally expected to attend their office or another business-related site for 60% of their working week. Hybrid working is voluntary, non-contractual and subject to business requirements.

The allocated office remains the contractual workplace, and travel requirements should be considered before applying.

Salary, Pension and Benefits

The advertised salary is £38,005–£41,065, with progression to £47,686 following successful completion of the Regulatory Training Programme.

Other benefits include:

  • Civil Service pension, with an advertised average employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
  • Bank holidays and one additional day of Civil Service privilege leave.
  • Family-friendly and carer-friendly policies.
  • Flexible working options where suitable for the role.
  • Professional training and development opportunities.
  • Parental leave benefits.
  • Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme, e-gift cards and vouchers through EdenRed.
  • Workplace adjustments for eligible employees.

London-based posts may attract an additional annual allowance of £4,541 (full-time equivalent).

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

Visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.

The employer expressly states that the role is not open to applicants who require sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system. Applications from candidates requiring sponsorship will be rejected, and provisional offers may be withdrawn.

Applicants must independently meet the role’s immigration, right-to-work and Civil Service nationality requirements. The advert includes eligible categories such as British citizens, Irish citizens and certain Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, alongside other specified eligible groups.

If you currently live outside the UK and would need employer sponsorship to take up the role, this vacancy is not suitable for you.

Application and Selection Process

Recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and assess behaviours, strengths, ability and experience.

Stage 1: Application and online tests

Submit the initial application and complete the Civil Service Judgement Test and Work Based Strengths Test when invited. Candidates are encouraged to complete the tests within 24–48 hours of receiving the invitation.

Applicants who pass both tests will be asked to provide a personal statement of up to 1,000 words demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria.

The online tests and full application must be completed by 12 noon on 30 October 2026. Failure to complete the required steps by the deadline will result in withdrawal of the application.

Stage 2: Digital knockout exercises

These exercises are scheduled for 11–18 November 2026.

Stage 3: Assessment of exercises and personal statement

Results for the digital exercises are planned for the week commencing 7 December 2026. Personal statement results are planned for the week commencing 11 January 2027.

See also Call Handler

Stage 4: Case study and interview

Candidates who meet the required benchmark will be invited to a face-to-face assessment involving a case study presentation and an interview assessing strengths and the following Civil Service behaviours:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Interviews are scheduled for 10–26 February 2027.

Interview arrangements are linked to applicants’ selected locations. The advert states that travel or accommodation expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.

Application Deadline

Applications must be completed by 12 noon on Friday, 30 October 2026. Applicants should review the candidate information pack before applying and ensure that they can meet the qualification, driving licence, travel and right-to-work requirements.

How to Apply

Apply through the official Civil Service Jobs website:

Job reference: 475176

For recruitment enquiries, contact traineeinspectorrecruitment@hse.gov.uk.

Source: Health and Safety Executive, via Civil Service Jobs.

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