How First Aid Training Can Improve Your Employability

Whilst it may be impossible to achieve a role within a certain field without having the relevant qualifications, it’s also not easy to get the job even if you do have the qualification and experience! Every job that’s advertised will have tens, if not hundreds, of applicants and making sure you stand out from everyone else who applies is key. Whilst there are likely plenty of factors that will affect the employer’s decision to hire, such as degree mark, prior experience and personality during the interview, additional, useful qualifications will help you take a step above.

One of the simplest, yet useful, qualifications you can get is first aid training. Carrying out a first aid course and receiving proper training and skills in being able to help people who are injured or unwell is incredibly valuable, especially to employers. Obviously, beyond the employability bonuses, a first aid course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to potentially save someone’s life, an incredible feat that is like no other.

Every single employer is obligated by law to have at least one qualified first aider on the premises. If you already have first aid training then the employer will be able to save money and time on sending another employee on a first aid course to get the necessary skills. If you have (unfortunately) had to use your first aid skills to help someone or potentially save their life in a previous position, this will impress employers even more. Helping people in a medical emergency is a test of your ability to stay calm and focused under pressure - a highly valuable skill that can transfer across into the field of work as well as if there happens to be an accident at your new workplace.

On top of first aid training, you can also carry out an industrial safety training course. If you’re planning on working in a high risk environment, such as a factory with heavy machinery or a smeltery or steelworks where you and other employees will be working at elevated temperatures, this training is an incredibly valuable asset. Industrial safety training can provide you with the skills and knowledge to work safely in these environments, as well as react appropriately if there is an incident in the workplace. Due to the heavy machinery, heat and other dangerous factors at play, one person getting injured can frequently turn into multiple accidents due to other workers not respecting the equipment or power sources. An industrial safety training course is often required for roles such as foreman where other employees are your responsibility, meaning you will be in good stead for promotion with this qualification.

Having a qualification in first aid also shows potential employers that you’re a go-getter who has sought extra credentials out, whether during a time of unemployment or whilst working previously. This attitude is a testament to your ability to work hard and go the extra mile, which is an incredibly valuable attribute that is difficult to learn from any university, college or school. It also indicates that you’re focused on improving yourself and chose to improve your skill set when you decided you were unhappy with it.

In a time where the job market is very competitive and hundreds of people may be applying for one role, it’s important to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Extra qualifications and life experiences are one of the most impressive things you can have on your CV to attract job offers, so make sure that you take advantage of these assets to leverage the best impression and job you can get.