NIOSH predicts shortage of qualified occupational safety and health professionals

Post date: Nov 18, 2011 8:39:49 PM

A survey by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates that the national demand over the coming year and beyond for occupational safety and health services will significantly surpass the number of men and women with the necessary training, education and experience. Although employers plan to hire at least 25,000 occupational safety and health professionals over the next five years, only about 12,000 new graduates are expected to be available from the academic programs that provide the national pool of expertise.

The report on the survey, "National Assessment of the Occupational Safety and Health Workforce," attributes the shortage to declines in funding for degree programs in occupational safety and health; inadequate or limited financial aid and lack of knowledge about these degree programs; and the desire of employers to hire workers with added training in leadership and communication. Click here to view full report.