The launch of the College of Work and Health marks a defining moment for the work and health community. For iOH, this partnership represents both an honour and a natural progression of our mission to support, empower, and elevate occupational health and wellbeing professionals across the UK.

As a charity with more than 1,570 multiprofessional members working across nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, physiology, counselling, work coaching, and wider support roles, iOH is proud to stand alongside the College in shaping a more unified and future‑ready landscape for workplace health.

A shared vision for excellence

The College of Work and Health has been founded to create clarity, consistency, and confidence across the sector, through robust competency standards, improved professional recognition, accessible qualifications, and a shared commitment to strengthening evidence‑based practice.

These ambitions are deeply aligned with iOH’ s charitable purpose: to empower professionals, raise the standard of practice, widen access to learning and support, and cultivate strong, collaborative professional networks. Together, the College and iOH represent a powerful force for positive change.

Supporting career development across the multidisciplinary workforce

One of the College’s core priorities is creating clearer career pathways and more inclusive opportunities for professional growth. This includes defining the wide range of roles within work and health, establishing competencies that reflect the needs of modern practice, and championing accessible qualifications such as introductory and advanced occupational health training.

The College will help ensure that every professional, whether clinical or non‑clinical, has access to high‑quality development opportunities that recognise and celebrate their unique contribution to workplace health.

Building an evidence‑informed, prevention‑focused future

Across the sector, the message is clear: prevention, early intervention, and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to improving workforce health. The College’s commitment to strengthening research pathways and embedding evidence across education and guidance will help clinicians and practitioners make an even greater impact.

iOH has long championed this approach through shared learning, clinical support, peer networks, and educational resources. Working alongside the College will amplify this work, creating stronger connections between real‑world practice, emerging research, and national standards.

Growing stronger through collaboration

The work‑and‑health sector is inherently multidisciplinary, with many roles overlapping and intersecting in service of the same goal: enabling people to thrive at work. This is not a challenge; it is our greatest strength.

As we move forward, it is important to recognise that: “Yes, there is overlap with what many of us do, but with talking and learning from each other, and better recognition, accreditation, qualifications and career pathways, together our collective voice and impact grow stronger.” (Alex bell, ACPOHE)

This philosophy sits at the heart of both organisations. It celebrates what we already share and highlights the enormous potential of working even more closely together.

A more supportive landscape for every professional

Through this partnership, the future of workplace health becomes more connected, more coherent, and more hopeful. Professionals at every stage of their career—and from every discipline—will benefit from:

• clearer career progression
• strengthened professional identity
• consistent and recognised competency standards
• expanded opportunities for learning, accreditation, and research
• increased integration across clinical, vocational, and support roles
• a wider, more supportive professional community

This is a future built on collaboration, trust, and shared ambition.

Looking ahead with optimism

The creation of the College of Work and Health signals a new era, one defined by unity, professional pride, and a renewed commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the working population. For iOH, it is a privilege to play an integral role in shaping this journey.

As the College grows and the sector continues to transform, one thing is certain: our collective voice is stronger together

 In summary: What It means for the multidisciplinary team within work and health

Whether you are an OH nurse, physiotherapist, OT, psychologist, physiologist, counsellor, work coach or non‑clinical support, these changes mean:

• Greater professional recognition
• Clearer career pathways and competencies
• More influence in shaping workplace health strategy
• Increased demand for your expertise
• Better integration with employers and national systems
• Stronger focus on prevention, rehabilitation and early support
• More opportunities for research, data, driven practice and innovation
• A more supportive professional community through iOH and the new College