Quick answer: To get your first OHS job with no experience, focus on four things: framing your transferable skills from past workplaces, getting involved in your employer’s health and safety committee, earning key certifications, and targeting small to mid-sized employers in construction or manufacturing.

You’ve finished your occupational health and safety diploma. You’re ready to work. But every job posting you look at seems to want two or three years of experience you don’t have yet.

It’s a frustrating position, and it’s one that almost every new OHS graduate faces. Career changers and newcomers to Canada feel it especially. If you trained in another country or spent years in a different field, you may wonder whether Canadian employers will take a chance on you.

The good news is that getting your first OHS role is very doable—but it requires a clear strategy. This post walks you through what actually works.

In this post

• Understand what employers are really looking for
• Highlight your transferable skills
• Get involved in a health and safety committee
• Pursue certifications that signal job-readiness
• Target employers that hire entry-level OHS officers
• Follow these job search tips from an industry insider
• FAQs

Understand What Employers Are Really Looking For

The first thing employers look for is formal training in occupational health and safety. If you have your OHS diploma, you’re good to go in that regard.

But education alone isn’t enough. Employers want to know you can communicate effectively, be accountable for your actions, and get the job done.

“They want to see that you’re willing to learn and willing to go the extra mile and follow through on things,” says Herzing OHS instructor Navin Homenauth. He has more than 15 years of experience developing and monitoring health and safety programs in industries like retail, healthcare, and logistics.

“If I’m hiring an entry-level person, I want to make sure that they’re willing to grow, learn, and take on more responsibility over time.”

Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are especially important if you’re changing careers or coming to Canada from another country. You likely have more relevant experience than you think; you just need to frame it correctly.

Think about the workplaces you’ve been in and what safety looked like there. Here’s how common backgrounds translate into OHS skills:

• Healthcare: If you worked in a clinical setting, you probably already understand infection control and incident documentation.
• Trades or construction: You know how to use personal protective equipment, recognize site hazards, and follow safety procedures under pressure. You’ve likely participated in toolbox talks or site orientations.
• Warehousing or logistics: You may be familiar with equipment safety and hazardous materials handling.
• Manufacturing: You’re likely comfortable with machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, and shift-based safety reporting.

If you have any of this experience, even abroad, include it on your resume. Canadian employers understand that workplace hazards are universal, even if specific legislation varies.

GET INVOLVED IN A HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Participating in a health and safety committee is one of the most practical steps a new OHS graduate can take.

Canadian provinces and territories require most workplaces to have a health and safety committee made up of both worker and management representatives. These might be known as joint health and safety committees or workplace health and safety committees. Whatever their name, their purpose is to meet regularly to review safety, investigate incidents, and make recommendations.

If you're currently employed, even in a job unrelated to OHS, you can ask to join your workplace's health and safety committee. Here's how to approach it:

• Ask your manager or HR department whether your workplace has a health and safety committee and whether there are open worker representative positions.

• Express your interest and mention that you’re completing OHS training. Most employers appreciate the initiative.
• Once on the committee, document what you do. Attendance at meetings, hazard inspections, and any recommendations you contributed to are all resume-worthy activities.

"Joining a health and safety committee gives you that exposure to the compliance-related stuff within an OHS role,” says Navin. “Small companies often have the biggest gaps when it comes to compliance. So why not talk to HR and offer to help them out? Just raising your hand and being willing to help out goes a long way.”

Pursue Certifications That Signal Job Readiness

Certifications won’t replace workplace experience, but they show employers you’re committed and prepared. There are two categories to think about: workplace safety certifications and professional designations.

Workplace Safety Certifications

The workplace safety certifications you need will depend on the industry you’re targeting. Some of the most commonly requested ones include:

• First aid and CPR
• WHMIS
• Fall protection
• Working at heights

Professional Designations

The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) is a not-for-profit organization that sets professional standards for OHS practitioners. It offers an entry-level designation called the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) that is widely recognized across the country. This is a strong credential to put on your resume when you’re just starting out.

The good news is that if you complete a BCRSP-approved program like Herzing’s OHS program, the 12-month work experience for CRST is waived. That means you can apply for the designation right after you graduate.

“The CRST designation will definitely help you stand out,” says Navin. “It’s the gold standard, and I think it will probably be an industry requirement eventually. It shows that you’re committed to the role and are willing to continuously improve as well.”

Related: 4 Popular Health and Safety Certifications for People Without Degrees

Target Employers That Hire Entry-Level OHS Officers

Large corporations with formal HR departments tend to prefer candidates who already have OHS experience on their resume. If you’re just starting out, they’re a tough first target.

Small and mid-sized companies are a more realistic entry point. They often don’t have a dedicated safety officer yet, which means they’re more open to hiring someone newer to the field who can grow into the role.

Three sectors that commonly hire OHS staff include:

• Construction: High rates of workplace injury make OHS professionals a priority on job sites. The ongoing skilled trades shortage also means new projects and consistent hiring activity.
• Warehousing and logistics: The growth of e-commerce has created large distribution centres across Canada, and many are actively building out their safety programs.
• Long-term care: An aging population, staffing pressures, and increased regulatory scrutiny have pushed OHS to the front of mind for many care facilities.

“Construction and industrial manufacturing are the two big areas right now,” says Navin. “Food manufacturing is up there as well. There are also opportunities in healthcare, but they typically look for people with a clinical background.”

Follow These Job Search Tips From an Industry Insider

Here are four key things you can do to improve your odds of success in your job search, courtesy of Navin:

Build your network. “LinkedIn is such a good tool. That’s where you get to know people. Add people and say you’re a student looking for a new job who just wants to build a network.”

Go to industry events. “All the safety associations in Ontario and across Canada host conferences. You can even apply to be a volunteer at these events. Just reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to volunteer for your next conference. Is there any opportunity for me to add value in some capacity?’ Those things go a long way.”

Use AI to optimize your resume. “Run your resume through an AI tool like ChatGPT or Gemini and ask it to rate your resume and make tweaks as necessary. A lot of companies are using AI screening tools, so you might as well use AI to your advantage.”

Apply, apply, apply. “Even if you feel you’re not qualified for a role, apply anyway. Obviously, don’t go for director-level roles. But apply to specialist roles, coordinator roles, associate roles, that sort of thing. I did that and got jobs I didn’t think I was ready or qualified for, but I went to the interview and they liked me.”

Related: 6 Different Occupational Health and Safety Jobs: Explore Your Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Start Your OHS Career?

The first OHS job is the hardest one to land. But once you’re in, experience builds quickly. Every inspection you run, every incident you document, every safety meeting you attend adds to a track record that makes the next opportunity easier to get.

Herzing’s career development team works one-on-one with OHS graduates on resume writing, job search strategy, and interview preparation. We can also connect you with companies that regularly hire our graduates.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you take the next step.