Benefits of accredited first aid qualifications for the workplace

The new Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification is part of the National Qualifications Framework meaning that there are now two permitted ways to award this qualification: through and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aproved organisation or through a centre approved by a Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) awarding body.

The HSE and the QCA recognise that accrediting first aid qualifications for the workplace has a number of potential advantages.  They include:

• linking first aid training for the workplace to other first aid and occupational health and safety qualifications delivered under national regulatory  frameworks - National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and emerging Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).  These frameworks set out 'levels' at which qualifications can be recognised.  It helps learners and employers make informed decisions about what qualifications they need in a wider occupational health and safety context;
• linking first aid training for the workplace to wider recognised health industry qualifications;
• introducing employees, who may have missed out on earlier vocational training, to the national framework through first aid training and encouraging wider training and education;
• influencing the standards and quality of general first aid training through new training providers requesting approval.  This may have a positive impact on standards in the wider first aid training community.

Ref: http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/review/nov07.htm

The great news for Investors in People and anyone wanting to add recognised national qualifications to their CV/portfolio is that we certify all our Emergency First Aid at Work, EFAW courses through a QCA awarding body which means that you get more than just a first aid certificate.

Your first aid certificate is your "licence to practice" and has a valid lifetime of 3 years. However this is embedded in a level 2 qualification in emergency first aid at work. This, like all qualifications, is for life.