About this qualification 

This qualification is designed to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to respond to first aid situations and administer first aid in the workplace. 

First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. In order to requalify after three years, learners must be assessed against all learning outcomes (LOs) and assessment criteria (AC) in the units. For First Aid at Work, this may allow delivery time to be adjusted based on current HSE guidance for requalification (two days). For requalification, it is considered appropriate to reduce the time by 6 hours, leaving a total of 12 hours. 

The date of certification is based on the achievement of the final unit; the certificate will be valid for three years from that date. 

Who is it suitable for? 

This qualification is designed for learners aged 16 and over, who wish to be able to respond to first aid situations and administer first aid in the workplace. 

What are the entry requirements? 

There are no specific prior skills/knowledge a learner must have for this qualification. However, there is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in communication pitched at Level 2. 

How is this qualification structured? 

To be awarded this qualification learners are required to successfully achieve two units and two credits from the mandatory units. 

How is it assessed? 

Each learner must create a portfolio of evidence which is assessed by centre staff and externally quality assured by NCFE. 

Is employment or completion of work/industry placement required for this qualification? 

This qualification requires learners to complete the following minimum contact hours: 

• First Aid at Work – 18 hours over 3 days 
• First Aid at Work Requalifying – 12 hours over 2 days 

‘Contact hours’ refers to time set aside for direct teaching and practical tasks. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) now allows for the qualifications/courses to be delivered using a blended approach (a combination of electronic distance-based and face-to-face classroom-based instruction). If this approach is taken, the centre must ensure: 

• where first aid training comprises blended learning, it is as effective as exclusively face-to-face learning 

• a minimum of two-thirds of the training time is spent on face-to-face learning 
• the general practical elements of the training course are delivered and assessed face-to-face 

What related qualifications can you progress to? 

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following: 

• further education: 

• • health and wellbeing qualifications 

• • emergency care qualifications 

Funding for our qualifications 

Find out more about funding for this and other qualifications on our funding page. 

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