First Aid Training - Update 10

FIRST AID TRAINING

(Update 10)

It has been just over 2 Years and 3 months since the Chief Inspector withdraw First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3 training from the training environment with the issue of his Notice 682 of 2020.

It is now generally accepted that first aid would be conducted using the unit standards as per the table below.

It is concerning how many training providers still refer to First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3 training and issue certificates using the old terminology.

Unfortunately, things have not been plain sailing since the changeover with many questions still being asked and concerns raised by training providers and members of Saiosh. SHASTAC has been attending to these questions and concerns with the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), various SETAs (such as HWSETA) in the background.

EXPIRY OF UNIT STANDARDS

The above unit standards reached their registration end date on the 30 June 2023; however, they can still be used with the last enrolment date being the 30 June 2024. This has once again brought uncertainty to the Occupational Health & Safety environment.

With legacy qualifications, part qualifications and skills programmes now being registered at QCTO and no longer with the SETAs, Saiosh through SHASTAC has been part of a national panel comprising of QCTO, HWSETA, Mining, Training Providers, and leaders in the industry to re-look at the new first aid training programmes; other training such as SHE Rep, HIRA, Incident Investigation, etc will also be re-looked at. Currently the new first aid courses will be known as:

• First Aid – Basic.
• First Aid – Intermediate.
• First Aid – Advanced.

The challenge currently being faced is that QCTO has a minimum requirement of 8 credits for a skills programme. Saiosh and several professional bodies such as Institute of Working at Heights (IWH) and Association for Skills Development in South Africa (ASDSA) have been actively engaged with the QCTO as we know that industry will not accept the 8 credits for what should be short statutory / regulatory required training as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).

Further to complicate matters is compliance training generally has an expiry date associated with the course to ensure updates and compliance, however QCTO and its QAPs see training conducted in their sphere is “training-for-life”. Much like your matric certificate, although the Grade 12 curriculum has changed over the years – you still have a valid matric certificate without need for renewing it!

The above matters are being discussed and we hope to have further feedback soon.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Training providers will now need to start preparing their registration with the QCTO as a training provider to ensure a smooth transition to the new qualifications, part qualifications and skills programmes that you are eligible to provide. Once the skills programmes for First Aid and other programmes have been issued, the application can be submitted. Further to this remember for First Aid you will also need to update your DoEL approval in terms of GSR 3.4.

It’s important to note that QCTO no longer requires moderators and that facilitators must be subject matter experts along with a recognised Facilitator and Assessor courses.

SHASTAC and long with the Association for Skills Development in South Africa (ASDSA) will be hosting a webinar on the changes and how this affects you or your clients. Details will be released shortly.

CONCLUSUION

I know it seems daunting with changes once again, but I have learnt that once you embrace the change and see the good there is that it is designed to ensure QUALITY TRAINING. Saiosh will continue to play a role in guiding, advising, and lobbing for the best of members and training providers.

Keep safe and remain positive.

Graham Pearson

Chairperson: Saiosh Health and Safety Training Advisory Committee (SHASTAC)

"Saiosh - Keeping You Informed"