Why Choosing Regulated First Aid Training Matters for Your Business
When it comes to first aid training for your team, the options can feel overwhelming. Among the many decisions you’ll face, one stands out as particularly crucial: should you choose regulated or unregulated training? While the latter may seem like the more cost-effective option upfront, the risks it carries could end up costing you far more in the long run. Here’s why regulated first aid training, like that offered by Marches Group, is the smart choice for your business.
What Is Regulated Training?
Regulated first aid training is overseen by an Ofqual-approved awarding body, ensuring that the courses meet nationally recognised standards. Certificates issued for these qualifications display the logos of trusted regulators such as Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, or the SQA, giving you assurance that your team is learning from a curriculum designed and monitored by experts.
By contrast, unregulated training lacks this independent oversight. The responsibility for ensuring the training meets Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards falls squarely on you as the employer. Not only does this add a layer of stress, but it also leaves you vulnerable to potential non-compliance issues.
Key Benefits of Regulated Training
1. Quality Assurance
With regulated training, you don’t have to take anyone’s word for it—the quality is independently verified. Everything, from the course content to the qualifications of the trainers, is assessed and approved by a recognised awarding organisation. This means the material taught is up-to-date, practical, and compliant with industry standards.
In unregulated training, there are no requirements for instructors to hold specific qualifications or demonstrate relevant experience. At Marches Group, we’ve rejected three trainer applications this year alone from individuals actively delivering unregulated training in the area—all of whom lacked the necessary qualifications to teach a regulated course.
2. Reduced Risk for Employers
When you choose regulated training, you’re covered. The awarding body takes responsibility for ensuring the course complies with HSE standards, giving you peace of mind. In contrast, with unregulated training, the onus is on you to verify the content—a risky and time-consuming task that could leave you exposed if standards aren’t met.
3. Trainers with Real-World Experience
At Marches Group, our trainers come from emergency service backgrounds. They’ve been there, done that, and bring their real-world experience into the classroom. This isn’t just another ‘death by PowerPoint’ session—our trainers make the material engaging, practical, and memorable. Unregulated courses often lack this level of expertise, relying on instructors who may not have the depth of knowledge to prepare your team for real emergencies.
4. Compliance Made Easy
With regulated training, you receive a formal certificate from an Ofqual-approved awarding organisation, which is your proof of compliance with HSE standards. These certificates are centrally issued and cannot be altered or misrepresented. By comparison, certificates from unregulated training providers may not hold any official recognition, leaving you with nothing concrete to show inspectors or auditors.
A Guarantee You Can Trust
At Marches Group, we’re so confident in the quality of our training that we offer a Skills & Satisfaction Guarantee. If your team doesn’t leave our course feeling confident and well-prepared, we’ll work with you to make it right. That’s a level of assurance you’ll rarely find with unregulated providers.
Don’t Risk It—Choose Regulated
When it comes to first aid training, cutting corners isn’t worth the risk. Regulated training offers peace of mind, compliance, and quality that unregulated training simply can’t match. With Marches Group, you’re not just meeting the standard—you’re exceeding it.
Contact us today to discuss your training needs and make the switch to training that’s safe, reliable, and fully regulated. Your team deserves the best, and so does your business.
