Staffordshire businesses are being urged to take a stand against knife crime with the support of a pioneering training initiative.
Black Onyx Academy, the specialist training arm of top-tier security provider Black Onyx Concepts, is delivering the Save a Life Today (S.A.L.T.) workshop, designed to equip local businesses with essential skills to respond to emergencies and prevent violence.
Now certified by Highfield, the S.A.L.T. course is thought to be the UK’s first knife crime training of its kind to receive formal accreditation.
Since launching in April, the Academy has delivered three free, one-day workshops at Commerce House, equipping more than 100 local businesses with vital skills in emergency first aid, conflict management, and situational awareness.
Stef Northfield, Strategic Partnerships Lead at Black Onyx, said: “Knife crime is by no means going away fast.”
“We read and hear reports all of the time about incidents which have taken place and we are determined to reach as many people as we possibly can with the S.A.L.T. initiative, therefore working with other businesses and helping to educate them via our workshops is key to our ultimate aim in preventing these things from happening and save lives.”
Free places are now available for the next S.A.L.T. course, taking place on Tuesday 4 November from 8:30am, here.
The six-hour S.A.L.T. workshop, certified at Level 2 by Highfield, provides participants with life-saving skills including first aid and catastrophic bleed control, as well as strategies to reduce tension, prevent violence, and identify potential threats. Certificates are awarded to participants who successfully complete the course.
Chris Plant, Interim CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Black Onyx Academy and the S.A.L.T. initiative, which is making a real and lasting difference in our community.
“Knife crime affects everyone, and it’s vital that businesses unite to be part of the solution. These workshops equip people with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in critical situations.”
Black Onyx Academy plans to expand the S.A.L.T. programme into schools and youth organisations.
Stef added: “We are keen to branch out into more schools and community centres in the next six months and connect with businesses interested in sponsoring the delivery of accredited training to educational establishments and youth groups,
“All of our training is provided by our expert S.A.L.T. team and we wanted to build on the impact of the sessions we have already delivered this year, which is why we applied for accreditation at Level 2.”
Several free S.A.L.T. workshops will continue at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce in the coming months.
The next one will be taking place on Tuesday 4 November, starting from 8:30am. For more details please visit the online registration for S.A.L.T here
