Train Aid Switches To Ofqual Certification

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 5, 2013 - Train Aid is to fall in line with new legislation, and will become an Ofqual recognised training provider from April 2013. This will only affect the company’s emergency first aid at work courses, which run throughout the UK. The new concept will replace the out-dated HSE approval scheme, which has been favoured by a new government report. The idea is that it will refresh the market place and give the business and public sectors greater flexibility.

More information at http://www.train-aid.co.uk/blog

High standards have been maintained on courses through the HSE approval mechanism. This ensured that companies adhered to the expected standard when delivering their training through a process of external moderation. However the actual process was quite costly and further limited the consumer’s ability to select a reasonably priced course.  The recent Lord Lofsted report was initiated by the government, and concluded that the HSE approval system should be removed for the benefit of all.

More about the report @ http://www.train-aid.co.uk/courses-page/first-aid-at-work...

What this means is that from April 2013 any business or individual can choose a training provider from anywhere in the marketplace. This will have the effect of opening up the marketplace and will potentially lower prices. Organisations from this date will simply need to select a suitable training company that can provide a course from an experienced & qualified instructor.

Many training providers are concerned that standards could actually end up falling within the industry. The problem lies in the fact that theoretically anyone can now provide first aid at work courses and claim the content to be reputable. The only way to prove that a training course meets the expected standard will be to register it through Ofqual. It looks like it will replicate and replace the old HSE approval scheme. Bill Casserley from http://www.train-aid.co.uk was on hand to provide his view point:

“Everyone within the industry was understandably concerned when the review was published from Lord Loftsed. However after having some time to deliberate over the findings I think it all makes sense. The most important people within the industry are the consumers who are purchasing the courses. This new system gives them more flexibility and will ultimately save them more money”.