Course overview
Spend a single focused day in Bournemouth turning electrical safety theory into genuine, job-ready skill. This 195 GBP + VAT course runs from 9am to 4pm, pairing a clear morning of classroom learning with an afternoon of guided, hands-on testing on professional PAT machines — so by the time you leave you’ll be testing portable appliances accurately and with real confidence.
Morning in the Classroom – The Rules That Underpin Safe Testing
- What the Health and Safety Executive expects of anyone inspecting electrical equipment
- A plain-English walkthrough of the current IET Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing
- Where your duties sit under the Electricity at Work Regulations
- How appliance classes differ — and why the test you run changes with each one
- Carrying out a thorough visual inspection, recognising defects, and logging findings properly
Afternoon on the Machines – Testing for Real
- Working directly on professional PAT testing instruments with an instructor alongside you
- Running the right test sequence for each class of appliance you’ll meet on the job
- Catching the faults that visual checks miss and that the meter reveals
- Logging your readings cleanly and knowing what each result is telling you
- Judging sensible re-test intervals for everything from an office to a building site
Throughout the day your progress is checked through practical, ongoing assessment rather than a written exam, and all equipment is provided — tea and coffee are on us, though you’ll want to sort your own lunch. Whether you’re a complete beginner with no electrical background or an experienced tester topping up your knowledge, you’ll finish this Bournemouth course ready to test for real, and we can also arrange group bookings or come to your own Bournemouth premises for on-site training.
Venue
Bearwood Community Centre, King John Ave, Bearwood, Bournemouth, BH11 9TF. Free on-site parking is available.
Getting to the venue
- By train: Branksome is around 3 miles away (SWR Waterloo line) and Bournemouth is the next nearest, so continue by taxi or bus.
- By bus: morebus services run through Bearwood, Wallisdown and Kinson.
- By car: The venue is easiest to reach by car, with free on-site parking and disabled facilities.
Duration
1 Day (9am – 4pm)
Entry Requirements
You don’t need any electrical background to attend.
Our instructors start with the basics and build your skills gradually, making the course suitable for complete beginners and equally useful as a refresher if you tested years ago and want to get back up to speed.
PAT Testing Certification
Pass the practical assessment and you’ll walk away with a Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate — a certificate of competence confirming you’ve been trained and assessed as able to carry out portable appliance testing. There’s no fixed legal expiry on it, though we’d suggest a refresher every few years to stay current with the IET Code of Practice.
One myth is worth putting to bed: you do not need a formal qualification such as City & Guilds 2377 to test portable appliances legally in Bournemouth or anywhere else in the UK.
UK health and safety law names no specific qualification or certificate at all — what it asks is that the person doing the testing is competent. The Health and Safety Executive describes competence as the right combination of training, knowledge and practical experience, which is precisely what this one-day course is built to give you.
Your certificate is straightforward, recognised proof of that competence — ready to put in front of employers, clients, insurers and auditors whenever it’s asked for.
Expert Trainers
Our Bournemouth courses are led by highly experienced PAT testing professionals with extensive practical backgrounds. Their clear, approachable teaching style makes even the more technical elements easy to grasp. With a focus on supportive, straightforward guidance, they ensure both complete beginners and those formalising existing skills feel confident and fully prepared.
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PAT Testing Course Reviews
Who Should Attend?
This course is perfect for:
- Facilities managers and supervisors
- Maintenance professionals seeking new skills
- Health & safety personnel
- Business owners wishing to manage PAT testing internally
- Individuals aiming to set up a PAT testing business
- Office managers looking to reduce outsourcing costs
Book Your Place Today
Our Bournemouth PAT testing courses run throughout the year. Class sizes are kept small to ensure personalised support and a high-quality learning experience. The venue is easily accessible for learners across Dorset and the surrounding areas, with onsite parking available plus complimentary refreshments.
Join thousands of learners who have developed their careers with Skills Training Group – one of the UK’s leading providers of electrical safety training.
Book Online NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior electrical experience?
Not at all. Our Bournemouth PAT testing course is built for complete beginners, so no prior electrical knowledge is needed. The morning theory builds your understanding from the ground up, then the afternoon puts it into practice. Experienced delegates are welcome too, using the day as a refresher on the current IET Code of Practice.
Will I receive a recognised qualification?
On completion you receive a Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate, a certificate of competence. There is no legal requirement to hold a formal qualification such as City and Guilds 2377 to carry out PAT testing. UK health and safety law and the HSE simply require the tester to be competent, and this certificate is recognised evidence of that competence.
Will I gain practical experience?
Yes. The Bournemouth course is genuinely hands-on. After morning theory, you spend the afternoon doing real portable appliance testing using professional PAT testing machines, all provided on the day. You inspect and test appliances yourself, building practical confidence under your trainer's guidance, so you leave ready to carry out PAT testing competently in the workplace.
Can I start a PAT testing business afterwards?
Many Bournemouth delegates join us with exactly that goal. Because no formal qualification is legally required, your Skills Training Group certificate of competence, combined with the practical PAT testing skills you develop on the day, gives you a solid foundation to build on. You will, of course, want to sort out your own PAT tester and suitable insurance before trading.
Is lunch provided?
Lunch is not included, so we recommend bringing your own or popping out during the break. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day to keep you going. The Bournemouth course runs 9am to 4pm, with theory in the morning and hands-on practical PAT testing in the afternoon, so a decent lunch helps you stay sharp.
Can I book multiple places?
Absolutely. Group and multiple-delegate bookings are welcome on our Bournemouth PAT testing course, which is ideal for teams who all need certifying together. We can also deliver on-site training at your own premises on request, which often suits businesses wanting to train several staff without the travel. Just get in touch and we will arrange it.
What should I wear?
There is no formal dress code, so wear comfortable, practical clothing suitable for a hands-on day of PAT testing. The afternoon involves working with appliances and professional testing machines, and all equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring tools or your own tester. Just turn up ready to learn at our Bournemouth course from 9am.
Is there an exam?
No stressful written exam. Assessment on our Bournemouth course is practical and ongoing throughout the day, so your competence is judged as you carry out real portable appliance testing in the afternoon. Your trainer supports you as you go, and on completion you receive your Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate, your certificate of competence.
Do you offer follow-up support?
Yes. We are happy to help with questions after your Bournemouth course, whether about PAT testing or the current IET Code of Practice. We also welcome returning delegates for refresher training, which is good practice every few years, and can arrange on-site group sessions at your own premises on request. Just get in touch whenever you need us.
How long is the certification valid?
Your Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate has no fixed legal expiry date. As good practice, we recommend a refresher every few years to keep your competence current and aligned with the current IET Code of Practice. Many Bournemouth delegates return periodically, especially as testing guidance and workplace requirements evolve over time.