Is a PA Testing qualification useful for an electrician to have?

[Shane Mullan]

It can be a challenge to find work as an electrician's mate/labourer without having any experience but I have noticed a lot of job advertisements for PA Testers. These job ads usually state experience isn't necessary and you just need to PA Testing qualification (which is a 2 day course).

I wonder whether doing a PAT course would be a good way to get a foot in the industry. And whether the qualification would then still be useful once in the industry?

 

[Pete999]

As long as company's insist on the ISITEE qualification then yes it would be useful, but you don't need the qualification you just need to be competent.
I did it because my firm sent me, I wouldn't pay good money of my own to take the course. You will of course need the CoP for ISITEE.

 

[Shane Mullan]

As long as company's insist on the ISITEE qualification then yes it would be useful, but you don't need the qualification you just need to be competent.
I did it because my firm sent me, I wouldn't pay good money of my own to take the course. You will of course need the CoP for ISITEE.

Luckily enough, I managed to get the CoP at a second hand book shop. In terms of getting myself into the electrical industry, if I can achieve this by paying some money (£200/300) to get my foot in the industry then I consider it worth it. However it would be a waste of time if I still can't get an electrical mate/ labourer job after having PA Testing experience (unless as you say the company may insist on the ISITEE)

 

[Pete999]

As long as company's insist on the ISITEE qualification then yes it would be useful, but you don't need the qualification you just need to be competent.
I did it because my firm sent me, I wouldn't pay good money of my own to take the course. You will of course need the CoP for ISITEE.

Luckily enough, I managed to get the CoP at a second hand book shop. In terms of getting myself into the electrical industry, if I can achieve this by paying some money (£200/300) to get my foot in the industry then I consider it worth it. However it would be a waste of time if I still can't get an electrical mate/ labourer job after having PA Testing experience (unless as you say the company may insist on the ISITEE)

Personally I reckon if you have the CoP then you could pass the exam without doing the course, providing you study the book conscientiously,

 

[Loki]

a quick search for pat testing video full came up with this

38mins dean snooks

 

[Shane Mullan]

View attachment 39700
a quick search for pat testing video full came up with this

38mins dean snooks

Nice one, I'll check this out when I get home

 

[uksrevivor]

Hi Shane
The C&G 2377 will give you some basic ohms law theory tuition, in most cases most PAT testing companies are just that PAT testing only but you may find some that also do electrical work as well and this might be a foot in the door route if you clearly state at the interview that you want to become a qualified electrician. You will find that PAT testing has very little in common with the work electricians carry out and most testing companies will only be interested in getting you to bang out as many tests as you can to earn them money. There is no harm in having this as a qualification to add to your portfolio but from personnel experience after 6 months of PAT testing and only PAT testing it drove me insane lol and it didnt help me get a foot in any door.