Train Direct

First aid and safety training for businesses and individuals

Train Direct is a training provider based in Darlington (UK) that delivers courses in first aid, mental health, safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, manual handling, water rescue, prehospital care, food safety, and environmental awareness. The company presents itself as an NHS-approved provider for the Oliver McGowan mandatory training on learning disabilities and autism, which it offers at Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels.

Course catalogue

The catalogue is organised into several subject areas. In first aid, it includes First Aid at Work (FAW), its requalification, Emergency First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid (PFA), and Emergency Paediatric First Aid. In fire safety, it offers Fire Safety, Fire Safety Awareness, practical fire extinguisher training, the NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety, and fire extinguisher maintenance.

In mental health, courses include Supervising Mental Health, First Aid for Mental Health Awareness, Managing Job Stress, and Dementia Essentials. In safeguarding, it delivers L3 Principles of Safeguarding, L1 Awareness of Safeguarding, Safeguarding in Social Care, Residential Safeguarding, and Safeguarding for Managers.

The health and social care area includes the Oliver McGowan mandatory training at Tier 1 (online) and Tier 2 (face-to-face), as well as the Care Certificate, catheter care, enteral (PEG) feeding, supporting medication, and skin integrity. In manual handling, it offers Principles of Manual Handling, Moving and Handling People, M&H in Health and Social Care, Ergonomics, and Preventing MSK Injuries.

For the leisure sector, it delivers NPLQ, its requalification, NRASTC, L3 Personal Training, and L2 Fitness Instructor. In prehospital care, it includes FREC3, FREC3-R, FREC4, SALM, and OHILS. In health and safety, it offers L2 Health & Safety at Work, IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Working Safely, NEBOSH certificates, and behavioural safety training. In food safety, it includes Food Safety, Good Nutrition, Allergen Awareness, HACCP Principles, and Blended Diets. In environmental, it delivers NEBOSH Environmental, IEMA Foundation, and the courses Working Sustainably, Managing Sustainably, and Leading Sustainably.

Delivery methods

The company combines several delivery methods: classroom courses at its UK venues, training at the client's premises, live online learning, blended learning, and eLearning. For onsite training, Train Direct provides the manuals, materials, and certificates for a fixed cost. In the live online format, the trainer delivers the session via Zoom or Teams. In blended learning, the theory is taught remotely and then a face-to-face practical session is arranged.

Network of training venues

The company delivers classroom courses at almost thirty UK venues, easily accessible by car or public transport. Among the locations listed are Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Norwich, Peterborough, Sheffield, Stockton-on-Tees (Teesside), Brighton, Darlington, Exeter, Gloucester, London (Greenwich and Hammersmith), Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Preston, Southampton, York, Bristol, Droitwich Spa, Ipswich, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oxford (Bicester), Reading, and Swindon.

Defibrillator sales and services

In addition to training, Train Direct sells Zoll automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and offers maintenance services, including fire extinguisher maintenance.

Oliver McGowan training and news

The company publishes content on the Oliver McGowan mandatory training, such as the guide to claiming a share of the £11.98 million fund allocated to this training and an explanation of its different tiers. Its news section also covers topics such as the value of specialist first aid training for hockey clubs.

Venues and locations

Main location: 10, Evolution Business Park, Barrington Way, Darlington, DL1 4FA

Birmingham location: M6, Chapel Ln, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 7BG

Cardiff location: Cardiff City Centre, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XD

Edinburgh location: Royal Mile, 300 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA

Glasgow location: Theatreland, 165 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2RL

Liverpool location: Kings Dock Mill, 7 Hurst Street, Liverpool, L1 8DA

Manchester location: The Quays, Manchester, M50 3XW

Norwich location: Cromer Road, Norwich, NR6 6JA

Peterborough location: Orton Northgate, Peterborough, PE2 6HE

Sheffield location: Victoria Station Road, Sheffield, S4 7YE

Teesside - Stockton-on-Tees location: Brunswick St, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1DW

Brighton location: Seafront, 137 Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 2JF

Darlington location: Evolution Business Park, Barrington Way, Darlington, DL1 4FA

Exeter location: Exeter City Centre, Tudor Street, Exeter, EX4 3FL

Gloucester location: Waterwalls Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AB

London - Greenwich location: Bugsby's Way, London, SE10 0GD

Milton Keynes location: Eastlake Park, Tongwell Street, Milton Keynes, MK15 0YA

Nottingham location: Castle Marina Park, Nottingham, NG7 1GX

Preston location: The Ringway, Preston, PR1 3AU

Southampton location: Redbridge Lane, Southampton, SO16 0YP

York location: 53 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PL

Bristol (West) location: A38 Bridgwater, Road, Cowslip Grn, Bristol BS40 5RB

Droitwich Spa location: Worcester Rd, Wychbold, Droitwich WR9 7PA

Ipswich location: Holiday Inn Ipswich, London Road, Ipswich, IP2 0UA

Leeds location: Off Cavendish Street, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1LY

London - Hammersmith location: 120-124 King St, London, W6 0QU

Newcastle location: St. James’ Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4DN

Oxford - Bicester location: Wendelbury Road, Bicester, OX25 2BX

Reading location: M4, Basingstoke Rd, Reading RG2 0SL

Swindon location: Frankland Road, Swindon, SN5 8UD