Nearly 30,000 Central Otago workers have completed Workplace First Aid Training since the Dunedin company expanded into the district in 2013.

The private company, led by founder Phil Hudson, won the Excellence in Service award at the Business South Awards last weekend.

Established in 2004, Workplace First Aid Training now completes most of its work in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. 

Phil said in the early years he drove through into the district to deliver every course himself, “and those trips built the foundation for everything the business has become.”

Many long-standing clients have become genuine friends. Phil said some businesses didn’t just ring to book a course. They were also checking if he was bringing cheese so they could supply crackers and chutney. “I absolutely love that,” he said.

The company now employs an instructor in Central Otago, with support from Dunedin, to make training more accessible.

Workplace First Aid Training has been a finalist in the Excellence in Service category twice before.

“They say third time’s a charm — and I’m holding onto that,” Phil said.

Looking ahead, the company is developing new training options to support its clients locally and across the country. 

It works with nearly 10,000 organisations nationwide and plans to expand further. New initiatives include a mental health training course and an upgraded e-learning platform.