First aid training is provided in places such as schools, vocational institutions and the Finnish Defence Forces. In addition, private individuals may, of their own initiative, apply for first aid courses organised by several NGOs. In order to maintain first aid preparedness at the workplace, the employer may organise first aid training for its staff in alternative ways:

1. If the employer has access to a qualified first aid instructor through occupational health care, they may serve as a course instructor.
2. The employer may order a course from a first aid training provider whose instructor will organise the course. The course programme is focused on the target group.

When selecting people to take part in first-aid training, it is recommended that attention be paid to the personal characteristics of candidates, their willing ness to take part in training and their distribution at different workstations, on different shifts and in different personnel groups.

A person’s first aid skills can also be determined at the time of recruitment.

The employer or occupational health care must keep records of employees who have received first aid training. The records must show the share of staff who have training, the training received (e.g. basic first aid course, advanced first aid course, special courses) and the time of the training.

The general objective is for at least five percent of employees to have received first aid training and refresher training. Accidents can occur in both large and small workplaces. Small workplaces and groups working in permanent or long-term jobs outside fixed workplaces must also have persons with first aid skills. A list of people with first aid skills must be on view at the workplace.

In sectors that are susceptible to accidents such as industry, storage, construction, forestry and agriculture, fishing, loading and unloading of vessels and transport work, the following recommendations apply:

• at least one person with first aid training at each work site or shift where less than 10 employees are working
• at least one first-aid skilled person for each group of 25 or less persons or five percent of the total personnel strength at a work site or on a shift with 10 or more employees.

The minimum requirement may be basic first aid course and a refresher course conducted once every three years.

The risk of accidents may be special due to work-related risk of drowning, corrosive and toxic substances, and the risk of fire, explosion or electric accidents. In the case of a particular risk of accidents, it may be justified to train at least one first-aid skilled person for each group of five persons, work area or shift. It is recommended that the training is at least basic first aid course, which focuses on the specific workplace's hazards, and refresher courses are recommended on average every one and a half years.

It is recommended that all electrical sector professionals involved in electrical work, including supervisors, as well as persons who have been trained to assist in these tasks, have first aid training, which includes at least training in breathing and compression CPR  through practical exercises as well as first aid for burns.

Under the Health Insurance Act, Kela will compensate employers for necessary and reasonable costs incurred in maintaining first aid preparedness. The first aid and health care expert group nominated by Finnish Red Cross defines the recommended content for the training for first aid trainers and the training requirements for first aid trainers. Any party meeting the training requirements may provide first aid training nationwide.

If first aid training complies with the recommendations of the expert group, the workplace can receive support from Kela for the costs of the training. Employers should ask about the possibility for compensation in advance from occupational health care and Kela.