Introduction

1. This paper will be of interest to employer duty holders, first aiders and first aid training providers based in Scotland. It supplements a joint statement by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Readers should refer to that statement for an overview of new training courses for first aiders in the workplace and proposals for approving and monitoring training providers that wish to run these courses.

2. In further developing those proposals outlined in the HSE/ QCA joint statement, HSE needs to ensure training providers that want to run the one day emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course only, can gain approval for this purpose in England, Wales and Scotland. The relevant authority for accrediting qualifications in Scotland is the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). This statement provides an update on recent discussions between HSE and the SQA about the proposals.

Role of the SQA

3. The SQA is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Scottish Government Education and Lifelong Learning Department.  It is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees. The overall aim of the SQA is to manage the qualifications system to ensure students fully contribute to the economy, society and communities of Scotland.

4. In general, any training organisation wishing to offer an accredited qualification/course in Scotland will need to gain approval from an Awarding Body approved by the SQA. The potential benefits of accrediting first aid qualifications for the workplace are outlined in the HSE/ QCA joint statement .

Proposed accreditation of EFAW by the SQA

5. It has been proposed that training providers already approved by HSE to run first aid at work (FAW) courses will be given automatic approval to run the new training courses once they are introduced. New providers that want to deliver the full FAW course will need to obtain approval from HSE. Any provider based in Scotland that wishes to run the EFAW course only (and not the full FAW course) will need to gain approval from an Awarding Body approved by the SQA.

6. In discussion with HSE, the SQA has confirmed that in principle, it could accredit the EFAW qualification. In doing so, it is recognised that the success of such an approach may be influenced by the overall costs to training providers. This has to be balanced against the need for external validation of training to help ensure standards are maintained, promoting public confidence and the competency of first aiders.    

Next steps

7. HSE will include the proposed approval arrangements in draft revised guidance for employers and training providers. The guidance will be subject to consultation and the views of stakeholder groups will be fully considered before finalising the drafts. HSE should then be in a position to announce a date for introducing the new training courses.