First Aid at Work (FAW) — Face-to-Face Course
For higher-hazard workplaces, larger teams, and anyone who needs to be ready for the full range of emergencies.
The First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification covers everything in EFAW, and considerably more. It is the appropriate qualification for higher-hazard workplaces, such as engineering, manufacturing, food processing, construction, warehousing and care. It also suits workplaces with larger workforces, and any environment where the range of potential injuries goes beyond what a one-day course can cover.
Three days is a significant investment of time. It is also the minimum the HSE specifies for a full First Aid at Work qualification, because the subject demands it. Delegates who complete this course leave with both the knowledge and the practical confidence to manage a much broader range of medical emergencies competently, not just adequately.
Available formats:
- Fully face to face: 3 days in the classroom, certified by CGT or Ofqual-regulated QNUK
- Blended learning: 6 hours online pre-learning plus 12 hours in the classroom, certified by CGT or QNUK
Both formats deliver the same qualification. View the blended learning option.
What You Will Learn
The FAW course builds on the full EFAW syllabus and adds:
- Fractures, including suspected spinal injuries
- Chest injuries, such as pneumothorax, haemothorax and rib fractures
- Eye injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Head injuries and levels of consciousness
- Medical conditions in greater depth, including angina, heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies and poisoning
- Managing multiple casualties
- Prioritisation and triage principles
- Using and maintaining a first aid kit for a higher-hazard workplace
- Extended scenario-based practical work across all subject areas
Course Details
| Duration | 3 consecutive days, 9am to 5pm each day (approximately 18 guided learning hours, plus breaks) |
| Format | Face to face, or blended learning (6 hours online plus 12 hours classroom) |
| Group size | Minimum 6, maximum 12 per instructor (an HSE requirement) |
| Certificate | Valid for 3 years. Choose CGT certification (included) or QNUK Ofqual-regulated (an extra £12.50 per person) |
| Assessment | Multiple-choice paper (70% pass mark) plus comprehensive practical observation (100% pass required) |
| Language | English. Reasonable adjustments are available; please contact us before booking |
| Venue | Knutsford training centre, or at your premises nationwide |
| Prerequisites | You will need to be physically able to perform CPR on the floor. GCSE Level 2 literacy is recommended. Recommended age 16+ |
Requalification
FAW certificates are valid for three years. Requalification must take place before expiry. A lapsed first aider is not legally compliant. Our 2-day FAW Requalification course is available for those requalifying within 30 days of expiry. Beyond 30 days, the full 3-day course is required.
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Book a scheduled place | Request a private quote | Call us: 01565 746555
Course Times and Duration:
- The HSE state that for the course to be a valid first aid at work course, it must be a minimum of 18 hours in duration.
- Please note: If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for any day of the course, you will be turned away and will forfeit your place on the course and any monies paid.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
| Arrive: | • 8.45am | • 8.45am | • 8.45am |
| Start: | • 9am | • 9am | • 9am |
| End: | • 5pm | • 5pm | • 5pm |
| Breaks: | • Approx 1 hour through the day | • Approx 1 hour through the day | • Approx 1 hour through the day |
| Learning hours: | • 7 hours Approx. | • 7 hours Approx. | • 7 hours Approx. |
| Notes: | • The arrival time allows time to get seated and fill in the course paperwork, etc. • If you are running late, please call us to let us know (01565 746555). • If you arrive more than 15 minutes after the start time, you will be turned away and will forfeit your place on the course and any monies paid. | ||
Venue:
- Scheduled courses run at our training centre in Knutsford, Cheshire. Visit our Joining Instructions page to read about what you will need to bring/wear, etc.
- Why not arrange to have a private face to face course run at your workplace? Simply fill in our quote request form to request a quotation.
Joining instructions:
- Visit this page to read the course joining instructions.
- Where your course is not being run at our main training centre, you’ll also receive an email with additional joining instructions including the venue address.
Language
- All training and assessment is undertaken in English.
- If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to undertake this course, please discuss these with us before making your booking.
Test:
- Your practical assessment is where you demonstrate giving first aid as you would in an emergency situation. This will include providing CPR to a training manikin on the floor.
- You will also undertake a multiple-choice question paper.
- If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to undertake your assessments, please discuss these with us before making your booking.
| Certificate issued by: | Practical assessment: | Multiple-Choice Question paper: |
| Chris Garland Training | To pass: 100% correct | To pass: 70% correct |
| Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation | To pass: 100% correct | To pass: 70% correct |
Certificate:
- There are two options available for the First aid at work course, with one costing slightly more than the other. Ultimately there is no difference in the validity of either, but some people prefer to choose one over the other. You will see the same presentation, be assessed on the same practical skills & to the same degree.
Pre-requisites for First Aid at Work Course :
| Who could attend: | • The course is aimed at those over 16 who are looking to undertake the responsibilities associated with being a nominated first aider. • The course can be undertaken by candidates between 14 & 16 years old, but they shouldn’t be relied upon to be the sole, nominated first aider. |
| Education: | • We recommend that you have a minimum of GCSE English & Maths at grade D/Level 1 (or equivalent) before undertaking this course. • This is not mandatory – please contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs (e.g Dyslexia). |
| Prior knowledge: | • You don't need to have any prior knowledge of the subject, but if you do, that's great. We cover everything that you need to know as part of the training course. |
| Physical ability: | • You must be physically able to demonstrate first aid procedures as they would occur in a real life. • As part of your assessment you will be required to provide CPR to a casualty (manikin) who is on the floor. |
Candidates:
| General: | • All classroom courses have a minimum and maximum number of candidates that we can take on a course. |
| Minimum: 6 candidates | • We need a minimum of 6 candidates for the course to run. • Where fewer than 6 are booked on to the course, we will cancel the course 48 hours before it is due to start. • In this unlikely case, we will contact you to discuss transferring your booking to another date or to issue a refund. |
| Maximum: 12 candidates | • For most courses we are limited by the Health & Safety Executive, and (where applicable) by the Awarding Organisation, to a maximum of 12 candidates per instructor. • If you have more than 12 candidates to undertake this training, you may prefer to arrange several private bookings. Click here to contact us and discuss your requirements. |
Geographical coverage:
- While we can deliver this course in other countries, the protocols that we teach meet the current UK practice, protocols & guidance.
Private courses:
- To arrange a private course for yourself or your colleagues, please fill in our Quote request form.







ChrisGarland –
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ChrisGarland –
Recent reviews collected directly after the course:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “I think it’s been amazing training. I’ve gained lots of new knowledge and feel much more confident. Thank you!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Good knowledgable course.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “A brilliant course, run by a brilliant instructor. Very glad I chose to do it!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “I thought the course was very informative and interesting. Chris was a good instructor ans was extremely knowledgable & passionate, which made the course fun and engaging.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “A very productive course. I learnt a lot!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “The course was very interesting and was able to give me the confidence to act, respond & be a first aider. I really enjoyed it as it was packed with information including the practical skills. 10/10”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Very informative & thorough. Although lots of information to take in, I found Chris very helpful.”
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “A very informative course, delivered by a very knowledgable person.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Chris was very thorough in his training. He took it at a pace which wasn’t rushed & allowed time for questions. Great value for money. Couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. He has built my confidence in my ability as a first aider. The reference book was good for revision & to refresh. I’d definitely recommend. Chris is a great instructor.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Interesting, engaging and absolutely full of information. We hope never to need but I’m very glad I now do.”
ChrisGarland –
Recent reviews collected directly after the course:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Very informative. This was the first time a first aid course has been enjoyable and easy to follow and understand!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Informative and enjoyable”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Friendly & reassuring”
ChrisGarland –
Recent reviews collected directly after the course:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “An excellent course, really well put together and well worth doing. The help me in the future.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “An excellent trainer who was really good at explaining signs & symptoms of medical conditions. It’s the most useful training for work and in everyday life.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – “Excellent tutor, very reassuring. If I need first aid in the future, he would be the person.”
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Nicola Mapes –
Chris is an excellent trainer with many years experience, lots of stories and information to keep you engaged throughout the course.
Adele Cook –
If any of you are thinking of doing, or putting staff onto, a First Aid course, I can thoroughly recommend Chris Garland Training.
Having just completed a three day First Aid at Work course after letting my previous cert lapse, the course was, although (rightfully) challenging, a pleasure to undertake. A brilliant balance of professional knowledge & a humorous understanding approach.
Jayne Hayward –
Great training experience. Engaging and extremely interesting.
Chris Garland –
Thank you Jayne! It was great to see you again.