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What is HEAT training?
HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) is a form of stress exposure training designed to equip individuals with the skills to work in dangerous places as safely as possible.
HEAT programmes require a degree of ‘simulation,’ placing participants in a position of stress to test what they have learned in the classroom. We believe that an immersive learning experience is crucial to HEAT, and for this reason, we do not offer an online version of our HEAT training.
There is no formal, internationally recognised HEAT standard. However, some sectors, notably aid and media, have developed guidelines to assist those purchasing HEAT training in finding appropriate providers and courses.
Most HEAT training is certified for 3 years, after which individuals are advised to attend a short HEAT refresher course.
When first emerging in the late 1990s, HEAT Training was largely delivered by former military personnel and was focused predominantly on conflict related threats. However, over the past 15 years there has been an increase in HEAT courses designed by former aid workers, journalists, and researchers. They have built on the foundations of the original style courses to increase focus on soft skills such as mental health, gender vulnerability, safeguarding, negotiation, and risk psychology.
ILS has been at the forefront of this change, and we are always updating and adapting - to both the world around us and the needs of our client base. We have been delivering our diverse and comprehensive HEAT training since 2010.