The First Aid Needs Assessment may identify the need for one or more people to be trained in First Aid Appointed Person(s) to become a First-Aider and to what level they should be trained.

It is good practice to complete training with a competent training provider in either:

• Emergency first aid at work (EFAW) which is a qualification in giving emergency first aid to someone who is injured or ill at work; or
• First aid at work (FAW) which goes further by providing training in a range of specific injuries and illnesses.

Training should be from a competent provider offering either:

• Regulated qualifications from an awarding organisation like Ofqual;
• Voluntary approval schemes such as a trade body accredited by a third party like the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS);
• Independent training where the provider can prove their competence; or
• Voluntary Aid Societies recognised by the government like St John’s Ambulance, British Red Cross or St Andrew’s First Aid.

All providers should be able to demonstrate that they are competent to deliver training, have qualified trainers, teach course material in the correct way and have the necessary quality assurance systems in place.

It is good practice to maintain records of training to ensure adequate cover and to provide periodical refresher training as once a first aid at work certificate expires after three years the first-aider is deemed to no longer be competent.

[!info] Note There are special requirements for offshore work and for diving.

[!info] Note EFAW and FAW certificates issued in Northern Ireland are approved as being as the same standard as those issued in Great Britain. Due diligence is required on certificates issued overseas to check the training content and standards meet the criteria set by the HSE.