On-Site vs Public First Aid Courses: Which Is Right for Your Team?
Updated 28 September 2026 · 3 min read · Amber Training
Reviewed for accuracy by a qualified Amber Training first aid trainer.
For a team, on-site first aid training is usually cheaper, faster and more relevant; for one or two people, a public course often makes more sense. On-site training is priced per session for up to 12 staff, so the cost per person falls with every extra delegate, nobody travels, and scenarios reflect your actual workplace. Public courses are priced per person, which suits individuals and urgent one-off certificates. The qualification is the same either way, provided it is a regulated EFAW or FAW award.
Side by side
| On-site (in-house) | Public course | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | One price per session, up to 12 staff | Per person, often plus VAT |
| Where | Your premises | A training venue |
| Travel | None | Each delegate travels, often a full day away |
| Dates | Arranged around your team | Fixed calendar dates |
| Scenarios | Tailored to your workplace and risks | General |
| Group size | Your team together | Mixed with strangers |
| Best for | Teams of three or more | One or two people, or urgent cover |
The maths
Public courses in London are priced per person. Take an illustrative public EFAW price of £100 plus VAT, so £120 per person, and compare it with our on-site EFAW session at £550 total, no VAT to add:
| Delegates | Public (at £120 each) | On-site (£550 session) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | £240 | £550 |
| 4 | £480 | £550 |
| 5 | £600 | £550 |
| 8 | £960 | £550 |
| 12 | £1,440 | £550 |
On these figures, on-site is cheaper from the fifth person. Check the actual per-person price and whether VAT is added when you compare real quotes; see the VAT trap in our provider guide.
The table leaves out the bigger cost for most employers: time. A public course in central London can mean each delegate losing an hour or two of travel on top of the course day. On-site, that time stays in the business.
Beyond cost
Relevance. On site, the trainer can use your kitchen, warehouse floor or stairwell in scenarios, so first aiders practise the injuries they are likely to face. A restaurant team practising burns and knife cuts learns more than a mixed class practising generic injuries.
Confidence. Training alongside colleagues builds a team that knows who does what in an emergency. At a public course, your first aider trains with strangers and comes back alone.
Scheduling. On site, we work to your dates, early starts included, and three-day FAW courses can be planned around your working week.
When a public course is the better call
Be honest about your situation. A public course is the right choice when:
- You need one or two people trained, and the numbers do not reach the break-even point
- Someone needs a certificate urgently and a public date comes sooner
- A new starter needs to join an already-trained team
What on-site needs from you
A room with space for people to kneel and move, chairs, and ideally a table. We bring the manikins, training defibrillators, dressings and all course materials. See how to organise training without disrupting the workday.
Book on-site training for your team
We deliver Emergency First Aid at Work (one day, £550 per session) and First Aid at Work (three days, £1,500 per session) at your premises anywhere in London, for up to 12 staff, with no minimum group size, no VAT to add and nothing to pay to book. Request a free quote and we will confirm within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is on-site first aid training cheaper than a public course?
For groups, usually yes. On-site training is normally priced per session for up to 12 people, while public courses are priced per person. As an example, at £550 per on-site EFAW session against a public course at £120 per person including VAT, on-site becomes cheaper from the fifth delegate, before counting travel time.
When is a public first aid course the better choice?
When you only need one or two people trained, when they need a certificate before an on-site date can be arranged, or when a single new starter needs to join an existing team of first aiders.
Is on-site first aid training the same qualification?
It should be. A regulated EFAW or FAW qualification is the same whether it is delivered at your premises or at a training venue. Check the provider issues the regulated certificate, not an in-house attendance certificate.
What do we need to provide for on-site training?
A room with space for delegates to kneel and move on the floor, chairs and ideally a table. The trainer brings manikins, training defibrillators, dressings and all course materials.
Book first aid training in London
Amber Training delivers accredited EFAW and FAW courses across London and Enfield, with on-site group training available.