How do I qualify as a Manual Handling Trainer?
The qualifications required to teach accredited manual handling awards and become a manual handling instructor have changed over the last couple of years. You can no longer teach accredited manual handling awards with just a manual handling trainer award, as this will not be accepted by any of the UK awarding bodies.
Teaching Qualification
First and foremost if you want to be a trainer you will need to have an entry-level teaching qualification. The PDLSG – Planning and Delivering Learning Sessions to Groups Award or the ETA – Level 3 Award in Education and Training qualification gives the teaching award accepted by all awarding bodies. This course is nationally accredited and by its conclusion will allow the successful candidate to teach any subject they have experience in.
Manual Handling Qualification
Ok, so you now have a teaching qualification either PDLSG or ETA that proves your competence as a trainer. What next is to match it up with some relevant experience. The easiest way to do this is to obtain the Level 3 Health and Safety for Supervisors award or Nebosh, but also you can do a CPD manual handling award. Holding the teaching qualification and current experience will allow you to teach the following courses:
- Manual Handling Training
- Manual Handling Level 2 Award
It is best to also complete at least a half-day manual handling objects course before you attend the manual handling trainer CPD award.
Insurance
Trainers will require public liability insurance to gain an approval from awarding bodies but also to protect them in case a member of the public blames you for causing damage or injury. Also on insurance a trainer is advised to take out professional indemnity insurance in case a member of your class accuses you of making a mistake. Both of these insurances are around £120 to £140 per year.
Equipment
In manual handling you do not really need much specialist equipment, it is more training equipment you require:
- Manual Handling PowerPoint (some companies will give this free on trainer courses, otherwise it can cost up to £90)
- Lifting aids such as spinal model if required
- Projector for PowerPoint presentations
Manual Handling Trainer Courses with Teaching Award
If you do not already have a teaching award such as PDLSG or the Education and Training Award, then you can attend courses with Abertay International Training. Our courses provide everything you need to become a Manual Handling Trainer including the PDLSG teaching award.