Why Keeping Your Training Up to Date Isn’t Optional, It’s a requirement.

In many industries, especially those involving public safety, security, or emergency care, training is not a “once and done” achievement. It’s an ongoing responsibility. Whether you're a first aider, SIA licence holder, or work in a frontline role that demands quick thinking and technical skill, keeping your knowledge and abilities sharp is critical.

Beyond simply ticking the box for recertification, there’s a deeper principle at play, something that defines genuine professionalism: Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Let’s break down why keeping your training up to date matters, and why it should be a habit, not a hassle.

Skill Fade Is Real, And Dangerous.

First, we need to acknowledge skill fade. This is the natural decline in a person’s ability to perform a skill over time if they don’t use or practice it regularly. It’s not a personal flaw, it’s human nature.

Ask yourself: When was the last time you administered CPR? Dealt with an aggressive individual? Delivered a primary survey confidently? If it’s been over a year, how confident are you, truly, in your muscle memory and decision-making under pressure?

This is why refresher training, drills, and CPD matter. The more we repeat, revise, and reflect, the more likely we are to act correctly and decisively in real-life scenarios.

First Aid: More Than a Legal Obligation.

A First Aid qualification typically lasts three years, but the practical skill set required, such as CPR, choking response, AED use, and wound management, can deteriorate in as little as six months without practice.

That’s why it’s strongly recommended that first aiders undertake annual refreshers.

Furthermore, guidelines change.

The Resuscitation Council may update compression techniques, AED usage instructions, or choking protocols. If you haven’t refreshed since 2021, are you sure you’re following current best practice?

Lives depend on your readiness. Annual updates help you stay prepared, not just certified.

SIA Licensing: Stay Ahead, Stay Legal.

Security professionals know that an SIA licence must be renewed every three years. But many underestimate the importance of staying in step with updated training content and legal expectations.

For instance, recent changes have included:

• Mandatory terror threat awareness modules

• Updated physical intervention techniques

• Mental health awareness and safeguarding training

These are based on real-world risks and industry developments. If your last training didn’t include these areas, you may be missing critical tools to do your job effectively — or even lawfully.

CPD: The Mark of a Professional.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is the gold standard for maintaining and improving professional competence. It’s about taking personal ownership of your growth, not because you’re told to, but because you want to be better.

CPD means:

• Attending workshops, webinars, or refresher courses

• Engaging in peer learning or professional discussion

• Keeping a reflective log or personal development plan

• Reading industry publications or guidance updates

• Practising high-risk or technical tasks regularly

By investing in CPD, you’re staying relevant, resilient, and responsible. In high-risk sectors, that’s not just admirable, it’s essential.

Laws and Legislation Change, So Must We.

The legal environment is constantly evolving. From Health and Safety regulations to PACE 1984 powers, from data protection laws to counter-terrorism frameworks, staying current isn’t optional, it’s a legal necessity.

Recent legislative examples include:

• Proposed Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty): tightening security obligations at public venues

• Changes to use of force and arrest procedures

• Evolving GDPR and surveillance law affecting bodycams and data handling

If you’re not being trained on these, you’re potentially acting on outdated information, which could put you, your employer, and the public at risk.

The Bottom Line.

Your training isn’t just about getting a certificate. It’s about:

• Combatting skill fade and maintaining confidence

• Staying compliant with evolving laws and industry standards

• Upholding professionalism through Continuous Professional Development

• Protecting lives, yours, your team’s, and the public’s

The best professionals never stop learning. They recognise that the job, the risks, and the world keep changing, and they rise to meet it.

So, when it’s time to renew your First Aid or SIA licence, or when you’re invited to CPD, don’t put it off. See it for what it is: a vital part of your role.

A commitment to staying sharp, safe, and ready.

Because being qualified once isn't enough.

You must stay qualified, for every day that someone relies on you.

To find out more about our refresher and top up training, first annual re-validation or continious professional development get in touch with us either through our website or via whats app, someone is always on hand to answer a message.