Make First Aid priority as workers come back, urges The Source
Ensuring staff returning to work are protected from the risks posed by COVID-19 is top of every employer’s list.
But in addition to providing the right PPE and hygiene procedures, businesses are urged not to overlook their First Aid provision.
Having trained First Aiders in the workforce is now more important than ever, urges The Source Skills Academy.
“You have a legal duty to administer First Aid if someone is injured or becomes ill on your premises,” says a Source spokesperson.
“The virus puts greater responsibility onto your First Aiders’ shoulders. They not only need fully up-to-date skills, they need to know how to spot signs of COVID-19, what to do and how to protect themselves and others.”
Lockdown saw the suspension of all UK First Aid training, which by its nature has to be hands-on.
This meant qualified First Aiders were unable to get mandatory annual refresher training and new delegates were on hold.
But the Health and Safety Executive extended the re-qualification training period and The Source has now taken the lead in First Aid training, devising a raft of safety precautions to enable classroom courses to resume, and adding vital new aspects.
Tracy Moor, of Sheffield charity Support Dogs, Mondalez International employees Mick O’Michael Waterhouse and John Cutler, plus Nick Allen and Patrick Gill from Beatson Clark, were among the first eight-delegate classes being tutored in a sanitised conference room normally seating 120.
Each learner is given a temperature and wellness check, PPE and has individual use of equipment such as resuscitation dummies. Track and trace systems are also in place.
Tutor Paula Barlow said: “We have also introduced an online theory section so learners now only need to be with us for half a day of practical training.
“Teaching on infections has been updated to address Coronavirus risks.”
Book courses at https://thesourceacademy.co.uk/online-training-0
Helping you to forge a better future
The Source has relaunched its website at www.thesourceacademy.co.uk to ensure companies and jobseekers can forge ahead in the difficult climate caused by the pandemic lockdown.
A dedicated Employer Area features easy-to-access information for companies planning a Covid-secure return to work and needing to hire new people, or upscale their workforce.
Find out about The Source’s COVID-19 online courses, which are fully-funded for SMEs in the Sheffield City Region, and how to find the right apprentice. All available funding and grants are detailed.
A Learner Area has been created to help people looking for a new job after being made redundant during the crisis, education-leavers wanting to jumpstart their career and also the long-term unemployed, who need to build confidence and skills before getting into work.
Act now on apprentices: Source backs Gov call
The Source is already helping local SMEs take on young people after Chancellor Rishi Sunak gave apprenticeships a huge boost in his July Mini Budget.
To give school and college-leavers career opportunities after being hit hard by the Coronavirus crisis, Sunak announced the Government would give companies extra cash handouts to help them take on apprentices.
The initiative gives firms £2,000 for creating new apprenticeship roles for the under 24s.
Companies are also being paid a £1,500 bonus to take on older workers.
For non Levy-paying SMEs, the cash is in addition to existing grants of £1,000 when taking on a 16-18 year old and free apprenticeship training.
Companies can also apply for the new funding for staff or apprentices set on within the last six months.
“The Chancellor said he refused to allow the Corona Class of 2020 to become a lost generation of workers and we welcome his actions,” said Dale Robinson, The Source’s Director of Business Development.
“There are very real fears young people’s earnings could be permanently scarred because of lockdown. Experts are forecasting unemployment doubling for under-25s to just over one million by the end of 2020.
“The Government’s additional cash support for apprenticeships gives businesses confidence to create jobs.”
As a trusted local training organisation, The Source has given hundreds of people careers via apprenticeships and its teams are now matching summer candidates with employers and preparing to provide their tailored, on-the-job training.
Dale added; “Apprentices become highly-productive members of the team and setting them on now means they can play a crucial role in rebuilding workforces, taking on junior tasks which frees up experienced staff as you work through the crisis.
Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages and can give new careers to workers made redundant in the pandemic.
For information, call The Source on 0114 2635717 or email apprenticeships@thesourceacademy.co.uk
Courses now running at The Source, with full COVID-19 safety measures in place, include:
First Aid
Three-day First Aid at Work course – for new and re-qualifying First Aiders. Dates: Aug 4-6 and Sept 1-3. £230. Two-day requalification courses – Aug and Sept (£120).
Health and Safety
IOSH Managing Safely – Four-day course for managers in any sector. Dates: Aug 20-21, 27-28; Sept 22-23, 29-30. £500.
NEBOSH General Certificate – 12-day course providing nationally recognised certification. Dates: weekly from Sept 7 to Nov 23 (test Dec 2).£1,100
Level 1 Health and Safety in the Construction Industry – One day course taught at The Source, via remote delivery or online. Date: Aug 24. £120. Exam £70.
Infection Control
Prevention and Control of Infection – Two-day course taught at The Source, remotely or online. Dates: Sept 4&11, Oct 9&16. £150 (full funding for many SMEs).
Contact training@thesourceacademy.co.uk
