AECTP First Aid Trainer Course

This new course certifies you with the first aid subject matter, regulatory, and adult education knowledge, and core practical skills required for the effective delivery and assessment of first aid training in New Zealand. Developed by the AECTP, you can trust it to focus on the relevant knowledge and core skills needed by those delivering NZQA unit standard-based first aid training.

Upon completion of the AECTP First Aid Trainer course, you will:

• possess the core knowledge required to deliver quality first aid training aligned to NZQA unit standards, ANZCOR guidelines, and, for topics without ANZCOR guidelines, Ministry of Health Te Whatu Ora.
• be able to competently perform the core practical skills required to assess unit standard-based first aid training, including CPR (infant, child, adult), AED use, and infant choking management.
• understand and be able to apply adult education principles for training and assessment, support learner well-being, and create inclusive learning environments.
• understand the regulatory context of NZQA unit standard-based first aid training and implement the requirements associated with NZQA unit standards, the Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice, Privacy Act 2010, and the First Aid as a Life Skill document.

In terms of first aid knowledge and skills, this course has been designed to achieve a level equivalent to or higher than the New Zealand Resuscitation Council (NZRC) Emergency Care Instructor Certificate Level 2 (ECI 2). In terms of the regulatory context and foundational adult education principles, this course addresses the previous lack of relevant professional development options for first aid trainers engaged in unit standard-based first aid training. This course content will be updated to reflect the transition to skill standards and micro-credentials as they are implemented.

Course structure and assessments

The AECTP First Aid Trainer course has two components: 

1. Online knowledge assessment; and
2. Practical skill assessment (in person)

Online assessment

The online assessment has three parts:

• Part 1 assesses your knowledge of first aid topics covered by NZQA unit standards 6402, 6401, and 6400. Questions test your knowledge of the relevant ANZCOR guidelines, where available, or knowledge provided by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora where no ANZCOR guidelines are available.
• Part 2 assesses your knowledge of regulatory requirements for NZQA unit standard-based first aid training relevant to your role as a first aid trainer. It covers compliance requirements related to NZQA unit standards, the First Aid as a Life Skill document, the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, and the Privacy Act, and tests your understanding of how to implement these in your course delivery.
• Part 3 assesses your understanding of and ability to apply relevant adult education principles in your first aid training to optimise the effectiveness of your course delivery. It also assesses your ability to create inclusive learning environments and support learners. To develop your knowledge on this part, we have created an information document that describes relevant educational approaches, theories, and tools, and how they can be used in first aid training and assessment.

You need to answer a total of 86 questions, selected randomly from a large question bank. The passing score for the online assessment is 90%. Once you have submitted all answers, you will be provided with feedback on all questions and directed to source information to review and develop your knowledge. If you don’t get a passing score, you can repeat the online assessment again (up to three attempts in total).

Practical assessment

The practical assessment covers the following skills:

• Manage a choking infant
• Provide basic life support to an adult
• Provide basic life support to a child
• Provide basic life support to an infant
• Extended use of an AED

You must pass all practical assessments. Note that the practical assessment session is solely to assess your skills. It is not a skill development or training session, so you will be expected to practice the skills beforehand.

Practical assessments are conducted during our annual conference and by evidence collectors throughout New Zealand on arrangement. Evidence collectors are experienced first aid trainers employed by our member PTEs and registered with the AECTP. When you enrol in this course, we will contact you to make arrangements for your practical assessment.

Course fee

AECTP First Aid Trainer course: $150 (incl. GST)

This includes:

• Online assessment
• Practical assessment at AECTP conference or by evidence collector

Upon successful completion the attendee will receive the AECTP First Aid Trainer certificate.

AECTP Online assessment only: $100 (incl. GST)

This includes:

• Online assessment

Upon successful completion the attendee will receive the AECTP First Aid Trainer Online Assessment certificate. Note that the online assessment on its own does not achieve equivalency to the New Zealand Resuscitation Council (NZRC) Emergency Care Instructor Certificate Level 2 (ECI 2).

Enrolment

Click on the button below to access the enrolment form.

We will contact you to confirm arrangements for your practical assessment before confirming your enrolment.  If we are not able to find an evidence collector in your area you can choose to cancel your enrolment or just complete the online assessment.

We will issue an invoice to the contact you provide. Once we have received payment, you will receive an email with access to the online assessment.

Certificate

To obtain the AECTP First Aid Trainer certificate, you need to complete the online assessment and practical assessment within 3 months. Once we the AECTP Board has received evidence of your successful online and practical assessments, we will issue you with a certificate. The certificate is valid for one year. To renew your certificate, you will need to complete the full course again.