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About us

Our story

Following many years in the first aid industry we decided that first aid can be done better. In 2018 we obtained our registration as an NZQA Private Training Establishment (PTE) and we are also a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 under the Education and Training Act 2020. We take our obligations and compliance requirements seriously and you can trust us to things right.

As Practical Training Solutions we have trained over 35,000 learners. Of those who have previously trained with another provider, 88% said that our course was better than their previous course. We are enormously proud of this and all the positive feedback we receive daily. However, we don’t let that stop us continuously working on improving our training, administration, and support for learners and organisers.

We are passionate about equipping people with practical first aid skills through engaging, memorable, and relevant training. We offer NZQA unit standard-based, specialist, and tailored courses, all focussing on real-world scenarios, ensuring every learner leaves with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to act effectively in first aid emergency situations. With our range of course types, flexible course delivery styles, public and private training options, we combine flexibility with robust, practical teaching.

Affiliations and memberships

As an NZQA Private Training Establishment our courses, trainers, delivery sites, and student pastoral care procedures are regulated and quality assured.

Our unit standard based courses and assessment processes are regularly moderated, giving you assurance that our training and assessment meets best practice education standards.

We understand that WorkSafe compliance is of upmost importance for you. Our courses meet all relevant compliance requirements and we are happy to assist you in conducting a WorkSafe first aid needs assessment for your business.

We are a proud For-Purpose organisation supporter and part of the SociaLink Business Heroes Directory. We support these businesses through our Not-for-profit sector discount.

We are a member of the Association of Emergency Care Training Providers (AECTP) and support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of first aid training throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are proud to employ Fire and Emergency volunteers.

Where to find and how to contact us

Map of NZ

We offer first aid training throughout New Zealand. Our national centre and Private Training Establishment office are based in Hamilton but we have centres throughout the country providing you with local support and services.

To contact your local centre, just click here or on the Find your local centre button on the top of your screen.

To contact our national centre and Private Training Establishment office you can email us at [email protected] or call us on 07 856 1194.

What our clients say

Excellent training. First time I’ve actually felt like I could walk away and confidently say I am a first aider. I was greeted with a smile , I was offered a drink which made me feel valued. During the training everything was explained to me in a way I could understand. I am pleased with my experience here and hope our company continues to use your service.
LeighLearner
Very good course, engaging, fun and time efficient!
JorjaLearner
I must say it was an excellent experience! The concepts covered were incredibly informative and presented in a way that was much better than I anticipated. The facilities were top-notch, providing a comfortable and conducive learning environment. Our teacher was not only friendly but also very knowledgeable, making the learning process enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend this class to anyone interested in learning first aid.
GivenjotLearner
A great company to do my Workplace First Aid Course through. Amazing trainers, and a great premises to work within and access. The trainer put my nerves at ease, and was so supportive during my practical first aid session. What I learnt was both relevant and useful for my workplace, as well outside of work hours too. I would highly recommend them for anyone wanting to do a first aid course that was both comprehensive and of high quality. Thank you Practical Training Solutions!
AmyLearner
Thank you for a great first aid course! Enthusiastic and energetic trainer who has lots of knowledge and is passionate about what he's teaching. Highly recommend A++
ShaniLearner
Very informative, easy to understand. Accommodating and amazing trainer. Keep it up!
AntonetteLearner
I enjoyed working in pairs for the day. The real-world examples, experience, and context are demonstrated throughout. I've left being more knowledgeable and compassionate towards our current medical workers/first responders/volunteer services, etc. Thank you. Highly recommend.
KeatonLearner
Great support offered throughout the first aid course. My second time doing my first aid course through Practical Training Solutions and I will definitely be back. Such a safe and comfortable learning environment. Tino pai Practical Training Solutions!
DanielleLearner
I have attended several Practical Training Solutions training sessions over the years, they cater to all learning styles and needs, they support, encourage each participant to achieve. If you do your home-work, go with an open and focused attitude you will enjoy. Nga mihi
PTLearner
Amazing course! 2nd time doing the first aid with Practical Training Solutions and they never miss!! Their training is awesome and thorough, the staff is so friendly and accommodating. And most importantly the courses are so informative. I always feel so confident after leaving my training with these guys, they have awesome little books which help you out too with all the training you’ve done. Highly recommend this place!!! Thankyou so much PTS
TamsinLearner
Awesome as usual. Meets the standard I'm used to by using Practical Training Solutions. See you in 2 years!
MichelleLearner
The online preparation was well paced and informative, and easily completed. Our trainer was kind and supportive and helped us to feel able to learn and ask questions! Many thanks to Practical Training Solutions for a very good experience. It maintained a good balance of hypotheticals and reality throughout, and was highly applicable.
GemmaLearner
Not your usual First Aid Course. After doing them for 40 years I must say I was less than enthusiastic. Even walking in, it felt different. The day was spent on practical exercises, manikins were connected to tablets to monitor your CPR attempts in real time and give you a percentage score of your effectiveness. The most practical first aid kit ever, and great use of everyday items that most of us have in our house and in our car. Our trainer was compassionate, open minded and had a great sense of humour. If you want to upskill in a modern and most practical way, keep an eye out for this first aid course. Well worth one day of your time!
CaroleLearner
Really enjoyed! Loved that it was more hands on & practical. Trainer was great at leading this programme, great knowledge base and easy to engage. Great programme! Would recommend to others.
JonnelleLearner
I thoroughly enjoyed my first aid training both online and in person. The facilitator was engaging and the tutorials were lively and lots of fun. I recommend Practical Training Solutions to all business groups looking to upskill their staff in first aid.
DionLearner
We have all gained so much, and all left feeling more confident in our abilities to help in an emergency situation. The trainers were supportive and enthusiastic and encouraged us to use the knowledge and skills that we had learnt. Thank you very much.
RusselLearner and Group Organiser
Wonderful first aid trainers. Course was well-paced and suitable for all types of learners. Trainer was fantastic.
RachelLearner
We have used Practical Training Solutions a couple of times for Electrical Competency and First Aid. The tutors were great and made the experience quite enjoyable. I would highly recommend this company, and we will use them again for all our staff refresher training in the future.
MartinLearner and Business Owner
Thoroughly enjoyable. Lovely environment and made felt at ease.
SandiLearner
From the moment I called admin to inquire about available first aid courses through to today’s well paced and informative training session, the team at PTS were responsive, and highly professional. Very good use is made of modern training supports which added to knowledge and understanding of the subject being taught. As someone who spent 30 years in administering Human Resources I could not fault PTS processes or delivery and commend the company to anyone considering retaining a training organisation.
MurrayLearner
I have done many first aid courses and this would have to be the best. Best run, best organised and best delivery.
KellyLearner and School Principal
The course was fun, interactive and easy to understand. The tutor was exceptional in his teaching method.
JeanLearner
An excellent course and an excellent tutor. Practical Training is exactly what we got, tuned perfectly to the needs of the group.
ShaunLearner
Thank you for a well run course. Please pass on my personal thanks to the trainer. His depth of knowledge and practical hands-on course were very much appreciated.
MikeLearner (Electrical Competency Course)
Just a quick message about my first aid course. I found it bloody informative and I just wanted to let you know that I've made up my own first aid grab and go container for emergencies! Thanks heaps!
LearnerCatchment Group
Thanks a billion!! Awesome training and fantastic trainer. Really appreciate the time, it went really quickly. Perfect amount of support, encouragement, and locking in different first aid scenarios that can be seriously daunting. Learned many new things and am more confident than I initially thought I'd be.
JimileenLearner
This course has been an awesome experience! We are expecting a baby soon and were interested in covering some first aid training relating to infants. Throughout the whole process there was amazing communication and clear instructions and processes. The mannequins for CPR compressions are hooked up to a screen that gives feedback on if you're pushing hard enough and keeping good timing - this was so helpful to experience what it needed to be like. We both are now also more confident to apply first aid in our workplaces.
Pip and RickLearners
I attended a refresher course today and was able to put my first aider skills to the test not 20 minutes after walking out of the course. I went to treat myself to a pie at our local bakery and heard a kafuffle behind me. It was an elderly lady acting strangely and her grandkids were acting distressed. I asked was she ok, she shook her head and was clasping her neck… chocking … I explained I had just been to a first aid course and offered to help her, she nodded, so three good thrusts to her back and up came the food that had been lodged in her throat. She took a big gasp and started to cry saying how scared she was when she couldn’t breathe. So thanks guys for the course today great outcome.
BruceLearner

Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021

The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code) sets consistent standards for how education providers in New Zealand support the wellbeing, safety and educational experience of tertiary learners. Practical Training Solutions (PTS) is a signatory to the Code, meaning we are authorised to enrol international learners and are committed to meeting its requirements.

What the Code covers for our learners
For all learners (domestic and international), the Code covers:

  • A learner wellbeing and safety system
  • Learner voice
  • Safe, inclusive, supportive and accessible physical and digital learning environments
  • Learners are safe and well

For international learners, the Code additionally covers:

  • Responding to the distinct wellbeing and safety needs of international tertiary learners
  • Prospective international tertiary learners being well informed
  • Offer, enrolment, contracts, insurance and visa
  • Appropriate orientations, information and advice
  • Safety and appropriate supervision of international tertiary learners

PTS does not provide or arrange accommodation for any learner, so the Code’s accommodation-related outcomes do not apply to us.

Our commitment to the Code
PTS delivers short-duration, NZQA-accredited first aid courses to individuals and organisational groups throughout New Zealand. Every year we carry out a self-review of our performance against the Code, checking that we are meeting its requirements through learner and client feedback, internal audits of our enrolment and safety documentation, and ongoing analysis of what we can do better. This report is published on our website to keep our practice transparent and accountable to our learners, staff and the public.

Our self-review report
You can read our latest self-review report here: PTS Code of Practice Self-Review Report 2025

Giving feedback or raising a concern
We welcome feedback on your learning experience with us. If you have a concern or complaint, please contact us directly in the first instance:

Hilke Giles, Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 856 1194

We will work with you to understand and resolve your concern as quickly as possible.

If your concern isn’t resolved
If you’re not satisfied with how we’ve handled your complaint, you can contact:

More information
More detail on the Code is available on the NZQA website.
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