On-Site vs. Off-Site First Aid Training – What’s Best for Your Team?

When arranging First Aid training for your organisation, one of the first decisions you’ll face is where the training should take place. Should your team attend an off-site venue, or should the instructor come to you and deliver the course on-site?

At Essex First Aid & Wellbeing (EFAW), we offer both options — and each has its own advantages. In this blog, we break down the pros and cons of each approach to help you decide what works best for your team, your budget, and your schedule.

What Is On-Site Training?

On-site First Aid training means we come to your place of work, bringing everything needed — from manikins and mats to visual presentations and assessment tools. Courses are run in your familiar environment, with your team learning together.

What Is Off-Site Training?

Off-site training takes place at our designated venue in Elmstead Market, where attendees join other learners in a structured, distraction-free environment. These public courses are ideal for individuals or small teams.

Benefits of On-Site Training

1. Convenience for Staff

Your team doesn’t need to travel. Training takes place on familiar ground, minimising disruption to the working day.

2. Tailored to Your Environment

The trainer can adapt scenarios and content based on your actual workspace, equipment, and risks. For example, a warehouse, school, or office all face different emergency scenarios — on-site training reflects this.

3. Cost-Effective for Groups

On-site training is often more economical when training multiple staff. You pay per group rather than per head, saving on travel and individual bookings.

4. Boosts Team Cohesion

Training together fosters teamwork, communication, and a collective sense of responsibility for safety.

5. Flexible Scheduling

You choose the day and time that works best — including early mornings, evenings, or weekends if needed.

Benefits of Off-Site Training

1. Fewer Distractions

Being away from the workplace allows learners to fully focus. No emails, phone calls, or day-to-day interruptions.

2. Opportunity for Networking

Participants meet others from different industries, sharing insights and experiences that enrich the learning environment.

3. Ideal for Individuals or Small Teams

If you only need to train one or two employees, sending them to an off-site course can be simpler and more cost-effective than arranging on-site delivery.

4. Purpose-Built Environment

Our Elmstead Market venue is designed for learning: comfortable, well-equipped, and with nearby amenities for breaks. It provides an ideal setting for practical First Aid scenarios.

When On-Site Training Is the Right Choice

• You have 5 or more staff needing the same course

• You want to customise the training to your work environment

• Staff would struggle to attend a venue due to transport or time constraints

• You want to reduce travel costs and time away from work

• Your team benefits from learning together and building shared knowledge

When Off-Site Training Works Best

• You only have 1–3 people needing training

• You want staff to learn in a quiet, neutral setting

• Your workplace has limited space or is undergoing renovations

• Staff enjoy interacting with learners from other businesses

• You’re looking to book last minute and join an open course already scheduled