First Aid at Work Course | Blended Learning

First Aid at Work: Blended Learning

All the rigour of a full FAW qualification, designed around how modern organisations actually work.

The First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification is the standard for higher-hazard workplaces, larger teams, and any environment where the breadth of possible emergencies demands comprehensive preparation. Blended learning delivers that same qualification with 6 hours of structured online pre-learning followed by an intensive 2-day practical classroom course. Delegates can complete the theory in their own time, then arrive in the classroom already prepared for the practical work.

This is not a reduced version of FAW. The qualification is identical. The syllabus is identical. The assessment standard is identical. What changes is where the theory learning happens, which makes a meaningful difference for organisations managing shift patterns, large teams, or delegates travelling from a distance.

Both certification options are available: CGT-issued certificate (included in the course fee) or QNUK Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation certificate (an additional £12.50 per delegate). Both are fully valid for employer compliance purposes under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

How the Course Works

Online pre-learning (approximately 6 hours, self-paced)

Completed before attending the classroom days, and compatible with all devices. Delegates can stop, restart, and review material at any time. The online phase covers the theory underpinning every subject on the FAW syllabus: anatomy, physiology, legislation, assessment frameworks and condition recognition. As a result, classroom time is spent entirely on practical skill development, scenario work and assessment.

Classroom days (2 days, 9am to 5pm each day)

All practical work, scenario-based learning and formal assessment. Delegates demonstrate the full range of FAW practical skills across both days, including floor-level CPR, tourniquet application, fracture management, shock, spinal awareness, and the management of major medical conditions.

A note on timing: the online pre-learning must be completed before attending the classroom days. We will share access details once your booking is confirmed.

What You Will Learn

The full FAW syllabus, identical to the 3-day face-to-face course:

EFAW content:

• Health and safety legislation relating to first aid
• Role and responsibilities of a first aider
• Scene management and incident assessment
• Recovery position, CPR and AED use
• Choking, bleeding, wounds, shock, seizures, minor injuries and burns

Additional FAW content:

• Fractures, including suspected spinal injuries
• Chest injuries, including pneumothorax, haemothorax and rib fractures
• Eye and abdominal injuries
• Head injuries and levels of consciousness
• Major medical conditions, including angina, heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies and poisoning
• Multi-casualty management and triage principles
• Catastrophic haemorrhage control, including tourniquet application

Course Details

Requalification

FAW certificates are valid for three years. For requalification before expiry, see our 2-day FAW Requalification course. Prefer the 3-day classroom format? View the fully face-to-face FAW course.

First Aid at Work Course Certificate:

There are two options available for this course. Ultimately there is no difference in the validity of either, but some people prefer to choose one other the other. You will see the same presentation, be assessed on the same practical skills & to the same degree, but sit different multiple choice exam papers at the end of the course.

• Certified by Chris Garland Training:
  • This is the default option.
  • PDF format certificates are issued as standard, but paper certificates can be requested as well.
  • Your certificate is valid for 3 years.
• Certified by the Ofqual Regulated Awarding Organisation:
  • If you’d prefer this option, please select this option when making your booking above.
  • PDF format certificates are issued as standard, but paper certificates can be requested as well.
  • Your certificate is valid for 3 years.

First Aid at Work Course duration:

• The HSE state that for the course to be valid, your course must be a minimum of 18 hours in duration. This includes the time allowed for the assessments and exam, but does not include for any coffee breaks.
• You’ll undertake an online course that lasts around 6 hours. This is undertaken before the face to face course and you must pass the assessment at the end of the online before attending the face to face course.
• The face to face classroom based course lasts for a minimum of 12 hours (ie 2 days).
• Generally we run these courses from 9.30am until 5pm.

First Aid at Work Course Test:

• Whether certified by Chris Garland Training or the Ofqual Regulated Awarding Organisation that we use, the assessments are the basically the same. Each candidate undertakes a multiple-choice question paper & practical assessment.
• Blended learning:
  • As you progress through the online course you will have to undertake short multiple choice assessments. At the end of the online course you will be issued with a course certificate. This certificate must be brought with you when you attend the classroom element of your course.
• Multiple-Choice Question paper:
  • You need to score a minimum of 70% correct answers to achieve a pass.
• Practical observation:
  • You’ll need to demonstrate giving first aid as you would in an emergency situation, such as providing CPR on the floor. You need to score 100% to achieve a pass.

Pre-requisites:

• You’ll need to be able to demonstrate first aid procedures as you would in a real activity environment. This includes providing CPR to a casualty who is on the floor. So you must be physically capable of doing this to pass the course.
• We recommend that you have a reasonable understanding of English & maths (e.g. GCSE grade C/Level 2) before undertaking this course. This is not mandatory – please contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs.
• The course is suitable for anyone over 16 looking to undertake the responsibilities associated with being a nominated first aider. The course can also be undertaken by candidates between 14 & 16 years old, but they shouldn’t be relied upon by employers to be a sole, nominated first aider.

First Aid at Work Course Candidates:

• All classroom courses have a minimum and maximum number of candidates that we can take on a course.
  • Minimum: We need a minimum of 4 candidates on an open/scheduled course for the course to run. Click here for more details.
  • Maximum: We are limited by the Health & Safety Executive, and (where applicable) by the Awarding Organisation, to a maximum of 12 candidates per instructor.
• Should you have more than 12 candidates to be trained, please contact us to discuss your training needs.

Geographical coverage:

• This first aid at work course is available to candidates throughout the UK & abroad.
• We can deliver it in other countries, but the protocols that we teach meet the current UK practice, protocols & guidance.

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.
• If you have chosen the blended learning option, you’ll need to attend our training centre to complete the face to face element of the course. Where a private booking has been made for multiple candidates using the blended learning option, please contact us to discuss holding the practical element of the course at your venue.
• Why not arrange to have a private face to face course run at your workplace? Simply fill in our quote builder tool 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.

Private courses:

• To arrange a private First Aid at Work Course for yourself or your colleagues, please fill in our Quote Builder tool.