HIGH demand for first aid and other safety training has prompted St John Ambulance to open a new training venue in Okehampton. 

The charity's premises on the town's Hameldown Business Park are being pressed into action and courses start later this month. The additional capacity means almost 500 more people could learn how to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved in 2014.

John Cavanagh, regional director of St John Ambulance's commercial training division in the South West said: 'We trained over 2,200 people from businesses and other organisations on our first aid and health and safety courses in Devon, in 2013.

'That's around 180 per month and hundreds more people learn life saving skills through our local youth groups and other activities, which are supported by income from the courses we run.

'But there is much more to be done.

'Our research shows that fewer than one in five people in the South West know basic first aid and 59% of employees want the kind of high quality training we offer.

 'The demand for courses in Devon is very high and our Okehampton venue is perfectly placed close to major cross-county routes to make it accessible to as many people as possible.'

The new training centre is located at Unit 2B/2C, Hameldown Road, Hameldown Business Park, Okehampton. 

Part of the reason for increased demand is the introduction of new regulations for first aid training by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in October.

Mr Cavanagh added: 'Organisations have to carry out a needs assessment in their workplace and be sure that they select an appropriate first aid training provider. 

'These changes are increasing the demand for courses with St John Ambulance, because we are the experts.

'Our training meets the new requirements and 100 independent quality assurers check that every one of our trainers is delivering courses to the required standards, so businesses can be sure they're in safe hands with St John Ambulance,' said Mr Cavanagh.

To book training courses, call 0844 770 4800 or visit http://www.sja.org.uk/training">www.sja.org.uk/training