Blended Training Courses

Why Phoenix STS sets blended learning timeframes

Blended learning combines online theory with face-to-face practical training. It works well for employers because learners can complete background theory before the practical session, while the in-person element can focus on skills, equipment, technique and assessment.

Irish legislation and HSA guidance require employers to provide adequate and appropriate training. For practical skills such as manual handling, people handling, CPR, AED use and first aid, that means the learner must be able to demonstrate competence, not simply complete an online module.

There is no single universal legal deadline in Irish legislation that says every online theory module must be followed by a practical session within the same number of days. Phoenix STS therefore applies clear provider timeframes, informed by HSE, PHECC, HSA and QQI expectations, so online learning is fresh when practical skills are taught and assessed.

Manual handling and people handling

Phoenix STS delivers manual handling and people handling in blended format where appropriate. The learner completes an online theory module first, followed by a face-to-face practical skills session. In healthcare, this is particularly important because people handling depends on local equipment, the care setting, the person being assisted and the staff member's practical technique.

Phoenix STS adopts the HSE manual handling and people handling approach that the theory module must be completed within a maximum of 6 weeks of the practical training date. This keeps the theory current and supports a better practical assessment.

• Online theory deadline: completed within 6 weeks before the practical training date.

• Evidence required: the learner must provide a printout, PDF or screenshot of the theory-module certificate on the day.

• If evidence is not available: the learner cannot attend the practical element because Phoenix STS cannot verify that the theory requirement has been met.

• Refresher interval: normally no greater than three years, or sooner where there are major changes in tasks, equipment, systems of work or risk assessment.

Relevant Phoenix STS pages: Manual Handling Course, People Moving and Handling Course.

First Aid Response, AED and CPR

Occupational first aid in Ireland is governed by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council First Aid Response Education and Training Standard. The HSA recognises FAR as the appropriate workplace first aid standard. PHECC allows FAR to be delivered in blended format where the full learning outcomes, skills practice and assessment requirements are met.

The PHECC standard sets course duration, competence and assessment requirements and a two-year certification period, with a 30-day grace window for recertification after expiry. It does not set one national online-to-practical deadline for every initial blended course.

Phoenix STS therefore applies provider timeframes based on current sector practice. Some recognised blended programmes use defined online and classroom splits and must be completed as one integrated programme. Some providers require e-learning to be completed within 30 days of login, while others allow up to 60 days for all sections of a blended FAR course to be completed.

• Online theory deadline: completed within 30 days of receiving login details.

• Practical assessment deadline: the learner must attend and successfully complete the scheduled face-to-face practical and assessment session within 60 days of completing the online module, and within the overall course window confirmed at booking.

• Certification rule: certification is issued only when online theory and in-person practical skills assessment are both completed within the required timeframe.

• Purpose: the rules keep knowledge current when the learner performs and is assessed on practical skills such as CPR and AED use.

Relevant Phoenix STS pages: PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) Course, First Aid Onsite Courses.

Blended learning timeframe summary

Use the summary below when planning learner access, practical sessions and certification records.

Manual handling

Online theory: complete within 6 weeks before the practical date. Practical assessment: attend the scheduled face-to-face skills session and provide evidence of theory completion. Refresher: normally no greater than three years, or sooner where work, equipment or risk changes.

People handling

Online theory: complete within 6 weeks before the practical date. Practical assessment: attend the scheduled face-to-face people handling session with evidence of theory completion. Refresher: normally no greater than three years, or sooner where resident needs, equipment, systems of work or risk assessments change.

First Aid Response

Online theory: complete within 30 days of receiving login details. Practical assessment: complete the scheduled practical and assessment session within 60 days of completing the online module and within the overall course window confirmed at booking. Certification period: in line with PHECC requirements.

AED and CPR

Online theory: complete within 30 days of receiving login details where a blended route is used. Practical assessment: complete the face-to-face skills session within 60 days of online completion and within the booking window. Refresher: in line with the applicable course or certifying body requirements.

Quality assurance and learner governance

QQI statutory quality assurance guidance for blended and online programmes expects providers to have clear, documented arrangements for sequencing learning and assessment, assessing skills-based outcomes properly, and informing learners in advance about deadlines and completion windows.

Phoenix STS treats blended-learning timeframes as part of its quality-assurance framework. The 6-week manual handling and people handling window, and the 30-day and 60-day FAR/AED rules, are provider standards informed by HSE, PHECC, HSA and QQI expectations. They are not separate statutory deadlines, but they are the Phoenix STS rules for certification.

If a learner does not complete the online or practical element within the required timeframe, the learner may need to restart or re-book the course. Phoenix STS cannot certify practical competence where the required parts are missing, incomplete or too far apart in time.

How employers should use these timeframes

Employers should schedule online access and practical training together. The practical date should not be treated as a separate event arranged long after the online module has been completed. For healthcare employers, the site administrator should check learner progress before the practical session and confirm that each learner has the correct completion evidence.

• Issue online access only when the practical date is known or likely to be confirmed.

• Tell learners the completion deadline before they start the online module.

• Check completion records before the practical training date.

• Remind learners to bring a certificate screenshot, PDF or printout where required.

• Keep online, practical and certificate records together in the training matrix.

These rules protect learners, employers and service users by making sure skills are practised and assessed while the theory is still current.

Related Phoenix STS training pages

Online Courses - browse online learning and awareness courses.

Healthcare Onsite Courses - practical healthcare training, including people handling and fire safety.

Health and Safety Onsite Courses - onsite practical health and safety training.

First Aid Onsite Courses - practical first aid, AED, CPR and FAR routes.

Client administrator responsibility

Where a client appoints an administrator to manage learner access, that administrator is responsible for checking that each learner has completed the relevant online training programme before the learner presents for the face-to-face practical element.

Learners must be able to show the relevant online completion certificate, printout, PDF or screenshot before the practical session starts. If the online programme has not been completed, or the learner is not in possession of the required completion evidence before the practical element begins, Phoenix STS may be unable to validate that learner for the practical element or issue certification for the blended programme.

This responsibility sits with the customer where they control learner administration and course access. Phoenix STS will still carry out any checks that are required by a regulator, awarding body, recognised institution, approved training institution or course-specific rule, including checks on identity, previous qualification, certification or eligibility where those checks are required.