On 1st October 2013 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ceased to approve the training and qualifications for first aid training providers and this has given businesses much more choice over who delivers their first aid training. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places the responsibility with an employer to select a competent first aid training provider and as the HSE no longer approves providers this task has become much more difficult for employers.
When looking for a first aid training provider there are several factors that should be considered. There are many first aid training providers who offer first aid courses but it is always best to do some research as the knowledge, professionalism and teaching and hands on experience of instructors can vary greatly. A bit of research may make all the difference as to the quality of training that you receive.
So what should be considered?
- First Aid Qualifications.
Does the instructor that will be delivering the course have a valid First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid certificate?
- Teaching Qualifications.
Does the instructor hold a teaching qualification? The PTLLS Level 3 or the more recent equivalent qualification Level 3 Award in Education and Training should be the minimum qualification held by a first aid instructor. As of 1st October 2015 new rules will be introduced by The HSE and Skills for Health stating that any instructor who wishes to teach Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work courses will need to have a minimum of Level 3 Award in Education and Training and if they hold the PTLLS 3 they will need to also hold a separate assessor qualification.
- Medical Qualifications.
Does the instructor have a medical background? If the instructor has worked or is working as a medical professional then their knowledge will extend far above what is needed for a first aid course and therefore they will have a good understanding of the physiological changes that take place within the body when an injury or illness is present. The advanced knowledge means that the instructor will be able to use different methods to explain the various aspects of the course.
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- Experience of Delivering Training.
How long has the instructor been delivering courses? In addition to the knowledge of first aid the instructor should also be experienced in training delivery. The instructor should be able to gain a rapport with people on the course and provide a relaxed environment where each person has an equal opportunity to learn with any questions being encouraged and allowing time for group discussion.
- Experience of Delivering First Aid.
Has the instructor actually delivered a variety of first aid in a real life situation either as a nurse, doctor, emergency medical technician or a paramedic? Can the instructor provide real examples of incidents that they were involved in to enhance the learning experience by applying theory to actual incidents? This experience will enable the instructor to deliver the course with confidence and answer any questions accurately.
- Course Content.
The HSE does still provide a list as to what should be included within Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work courses. A company can request to see the content of a course whilst deciding which provider to chose.
- Quality Assurance.
What processes does the first aid training provider have in place to monitor and review the training being delivered by instructors? An instructor should be completing annual refresher training to ensure that what they’re teaching is accurate and up to date in line with current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.
- Price.
What is the first aid training provider charging for courses? The price of courses can vary greatly amongst first aid training providers. Some first aid training providers charge very high prices and trade off their name and others charge very low prices. It is tempting for a business to choose the provider with the lowest price, however you need to ask yourself why they are charging such low prices. Do they have the relevant knowledge and experience to provide value for money? A good quality first aid training provider should not need to reduce their prices as they deliver high quality training and it may be a case of you get what you pay for!
As you can see there is a lot to consider when choosing a first aid training provider but it is worth spending the time to research a few providers to ensure that you will be receiving a good quality of training that will make all the difference should an incident occur within the workplace.
First Aid Confidence can deliver many first aid courses and we are always happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding our instructors and the training that we deliver.
If you have any questions or would like some more information then please contact us.