Is your First Aid Training Provider First Class?
First Aid Training is one of the most important staff training courses a company might organise, after all, it could save lives. So it’s important to make sure you choose a provider that will do the job right!
Here’s a few pointers for how to research and select a First Aid Training provider.
What do you need them to do?
Probably the most important advice, and nothing to do with the provider, is to establish the objective for training. Your first step is to conduct a First Aid needs assessment. This will help you identify whether you need Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work training. It should also identify any bespoke requirements you might have.
Are they accredited?
In the area of First Aid, choosing a provider with the right accreditation is essential. They should be accredited by professional associations such as the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health or Highfield. Even better they should be a registered Premium Training Center like The Training Co.
What’s their history?
Find out more about the provider, how long have they been established? Do they have experience of providing training for other organisations in your industry?
What do their customers say?
Although review sites aren’t as common in the training industry you might be able to find independent reviews of providers online. Check out their Google+ reviews or they might be listed on B2B review sites like trustpilot.com. Less reliable but still helpful might be testimonials. We would also advise asking for references before making your final decision.
Who are the actual trainers?
So the provider has an established history and clients seem happy but who will actually be carrying out your training? It’s advisable to find out a bit more about your individual trainer as well as the company you’re using.
Are they flexible?
If you are organising training for a group you probably want your provider to deliver your training in-house at your premises on dates that suit you. Or maybe you only have a few people with a requirement so it might suit for them to attend an open course. Larger providers should be able to provide both these options.
Do they understand our business?
If the provider doesn’t have experience of conducting First Aid training in your sector you should look for signs that they are prepared to really get to know your business. If they do, they will be able to make the training more relevant, more engaging, and as a result, more successful.
Are their prices fair?
Before making the final decision we recommend you get quotes from a few providers to ensure that your preferred supplier’s prices are competitive with the market.
Hopefully that’s given you some pointers? Feel free to contact us to see how we measure up.
For more detailed guidance on choosing a First Aid provider please visit the Health and Safety Executive website.
