To assist your research in becoming a first aid instructor, we have compiled our recommended approach:

Step 1 – Instructor Qualification

Whether you intend to work for a training provider or deliver your own first aid courses, a recognised trainer qualification is essential. 

Our Level 3 Award in Education and Training is a nationally recognised instructor qualification and is the ideal starting point to becoming a first aid trainer.

This trainer qualification is not specific to first aid, so it also allows you to train other subjects. It is also the minimum level of qualification required to work for a college or independent training provider.

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is available as a self-study distance learning option or as a remote, tutor-led online course. Check our regular online course schedule here.

Step 2 – Assessor Qualification (if required)

If you are intending to deliver an accredited first aid course, some awarding organisations will require you to have an assessor qualification.

The Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA) is ideal for this, and can be purchased as a package with the Level 3 instructor qualification. Typically, an assessor qualification is not required if you plan to develop and deliver your own courses, in-house. It does however, add additional credibility to your CV regardless.

Step 3 – First Aid Qualification and Competence

As our instructor and assessor courses have no expiry date, it makes sense to obtain these first. Alongside your instructor or assessor qualification, you need to demonstrate competency in First Aid.

This is usually acheived by attending a 3 day First Aid at Work course as a minimum. Plus, you may wish to consider adding Paediatric First Aid (usually 1 day) for additional knowledge. Typically, this would be sufficient to then deliver the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) 1 day course, or the three day First Aid at Work (FAW) course.

It is good practice to continue your training to a higher level of specialised first aid such as First Response Emergency Care (FREC).

ATC Training do not provide First Aid courses directly as we focus on trainer and assessor development. We recommend First Aid and Safety Training if you are in the North East, or a national provider such as St. John Ambulance, or British Red Cross.

Step 4 – Create or Buy Course Content

Now you are qualified, you may wish to create your own course, or you can buy ready made training materials(e.g. Highfield or Proqual).

Step 5 – Become a Recognised Centre (optional)

If you want to deliver accredited first aid courses with certificates issued by an awarding organisation, you will need to set up your training company as a regulated centre. Choose from hundreds of awarding organisations and complete the registration process. 

Note: Our recommended steps do not include other actions such as gaining adequate insurance etc. You should complete wider research to suit your specific situation.