Course overview
Run by Skills Training Group in South London, this one-day workshop blends the regulatory background with genuine hands-on testing, so by the time you leave you understand not just the rules but how to apply them on the equipment in front of you. It is built for newcomers with no electrical background as much as for experienced testers wanting a refresher, and everything you need on the day — including the professional PAT machines — is supplied.
Morning Session – The Rules Behind PAT Testing in South London
We start in the classroom, working through the knowledge that underpins safe and defensible testing:
- What employers must do to meet their Health & Safety obligations
- The Electricity at Work Regulations, translated into plain everyday practice
- Working to the current IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing
- The appliance classes and the testing approach each one calls for
- Why a thorough visual inspection often catches more than the meter
- Spotting the faults that turn up most often in day-to-day equipment
- Keeping clear records and labelling appliances properly
- Setting sensible retest intervals using a risk-based judgement
By the lunch break you’ll know where the legal line sits, what good practice looks like beyond it, and how to evidence your compliance should anyone ever ask. Tea and coffee are provided through the morning; please sort your own lunch as it isn’t included.
Afternoon Session – Testing for Real on the Machines
After lunch the focus shifts entirely to doing the job yourself under our supervision. You’ll:
- Get hands-on with professional PAT testing machines
- Work through a varied selection of electrical appliances
- Read and make sense of the results in front of you
- Fill in the inspection records and apply labels the right way
- Recognise exactly what separates a pass from a fail
- Decide on the correct next steps when an item fails
Because the assessment is practical and runs alongside the training rather than ending in a written exam, you build real competence as you go and walk out ready to test with confidence in a working South London setting.
Course Duration
9:00am – 4:00pm (1 Day)
Entry Requirements
No previous electrical experience is required.
You do not need to be a qualified electrician. UK law requires PAT testing to be completed by a competent person — not someone holding a formal electrical qualification. This course is specifically designed to provide that competence in a clear, structured and accessible way.
Beginners are fully supported throughout.
PAT Testing Certification
Pass the practical assessment and you’ll leave our South London course 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.
One myth is worth putting to bed straight away: you do not need a formal qualification such as City & Guilds 2377 to test portable appliances legally.
UK health and safety law names no particular qualification or certificate at all — what it asks for is simply 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, and that, in line with the current IET Code of Practice, is precisely what this one-day course delivers.
Your certificate then stands as clear, recognised evidence of that competence whenever employers, clients, insurers or auditors need to see it. Group and multiple-delegate bookings are available, and we can also run the course on-site at your own South London premises.
South London PAT Training Venue – Coulsdon (CR5)
Our South London course takes place at:
St. Aidan’s Church Hall
Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
CR5 3BQ
This well-positioned venue offers a comfortable and professional training environment. It is easily accessible for delegates travelling from Croydon, Purley, Sutton, Caterham, Banstead and surrounding South London and Surrey areas.
The spacious hall setting allows for both classroom instruction and hands-on appliance testing in a practical learning environment.
Getting to the Coulsdon Venue
Rail Access
Coulsdon South and Coulsdon Town railway stations are nearby, offering convenient links to Central London and surrounding areas.
Bus Routes
Local bus services run along Chipstead Valley Road and connect to nearby towns including Croydon and Purley.
Parking
On-street parking is available in surrounding roads, subject to local restrictions. Please check signage on arrival and allow extra time if driving.
Expert Trainers
Our instructors bring real-world experience in electrical safety and compliance. Technical content is delivered in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way, with practical demonstrations followed by guided hands-on practice.
You will receive continuous support throughout the day to ensure you leave confident and capable.
Excellent
PAT Testing Course Reviews
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for:
- Facilities and building managers
- Maintenance staff
- Landlords and letting agents
- Health & Safety officers
- Caretakers and school site teams
- Office managers reducing outsourcing costs
- Business owners managing compliance internally
- Individuals planning to launch a PAT testing service
No prior experience or qualifications are necessary.
Book Online Now
Secure Your Place
We run regular PAT Testing courses at our South London venue throughout the year. To ensure quality training, class sizes are kept small so every delegate receives individual guidance and practical experience.
Thousands trust Skills Training Group for compliant, practical and confidence-building training.
Book Online NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need electrical experience?
Not at all. Our South London (Coulsdon) PAT testing course is built for complete beginners, so you can arrive with no electrical knowledge whatsoever. The morning theory starts from the ground up before you move on to hands-on portable appliance testing in the afternoon. It is equally useful as a refresher if you have tested before.
Is there practical training included?
Yes, and it is a big part of the day. After the morning theory in Coulsdon, your afternoon is spent doing real, hands-on PAT testing on professional PAT testing machines. You will inspect appliances and run actual tests yourself, so you leave genuinely confident in portable appliance testing rather than just having read about it.
Is the certificate recognised?
Yes. On completion you receive a Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate, a recognised certificate of competence. There is no legal requirement to hold a formal qualification like City and Guilds 2377; UK health and safety law and the HSE simply require the tester to be competent. This course, aligned with the IET Code of Practice, is accepted evidence of that competence.
Can this course help me start a PAT testing business?
Absolutely. Plenty of delegates at our South London (Coulsdon) course are launching their own portable appliance testing service. You will gain the practical competence and a Skills Training Group certificate that customers recognise. There is no legal need for a formal qualification, just demonstrable competence, so this one-day course is a solid foundation for going self-employed.
Is there an assessment?
There is no nerve-wracking written exam to sit. Instead, your trainer assesses you practically and continuously through the day in Coulsdon, checking your technique as you work through real PAT testing on the machines. This easy-going approach suits nervous beginners and seasoned testers alike, and you leave the day sure you can do the job properly.
What equipment will I use?
All PAT testing equipment is provided here in South London (Coulsdon). During the practical afternoon you will work on professional PAT testing machines, the same type used out in the field for portable appliance testing. Working on proper kit, rather than a demonstration, means you build real competence and feel ready to start testing immediately after the course.
Do I need to bring my own PAT tester?
No. Everything you need is supplied at our Coulsdon venue, including professional PAT testing machines for the hands-on afternoon. You do not need to bring any tools or your own tester. Just turn up ready to learn, and you will get plenty of practical time on the equipment to build genuine competence in portable appliance testing.
What should I wear?
There is no dress code in South London (Coulsdon), so just wear something you are comfortable in. You are sat down for the morning theory and on your feet for the hands-on PAT testing in the afternoon, so easy, practical clothing works best. You will not need any protective gear, and all the testing equipment is provided for you.
How long does the certificate last?
Your Skills Training Group PAT Testing Certificate has no fixed legal expiry date. That said, we recommend a refresher every few years as good practice, since the IET Code of Practice is periodically updated. Keeping your knowledge current helps you stay competent and confident, which is exactly what UK health and safety law expects of anyone carrying out PAT testing.
Can I attend if English is not my first language?
Yes, absolutely. Our South London (Coulsdon) course is hands-on and informal, with most of the day spent working on the machines rather than wading through paperwork. Because the assessment is practical rather than a written exam, the format tends to suit people whatever their first language. If you would like to chat it through first, just get in touch.
Can multiple employees attend from the same company?
Yes, group and multiple-delegate bookings are very welcome at our Coulsdon course. Training several staff together is a cost-effective way to build in-house PAT testing competence. We can also deliver on-site training at your own premises on request, which is ideal if you would rather we came to you. Just contact us to arrange a group booking.
Is support available after the course?
Yes. We do not just wave you off after the day in South London (Coulsdon). If a question about portable appliance testing or the IET Code of Practice comes up once you start testing, our team is happy to help. Many delegates stay in touch, and a refresher course is always available down the line when you want one.