Can IPAF and PASMA training be delivered on-site?

Question Answer

Yes. IPAF and PASMA training can be delivered at your yard or project. The employer provides the MEWP or tower and a safe operating area; MPTT brings the IPAF- or PASMA-approved instructor and all course materials. On-site delivery removes operative travel and downtime and is typically cheaper for groups of three or more.

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Key facts

Both IPAF and PASMA permit accredited on-site delivery by approved instructors.
The employer provides: a representative MEWP (for IPAF) or a complete tower kit (for PASMA), a safe operating area, and operative PPE.
MPTT provides: the IPAF- or PASMA-approved instructor, the theory test materials, the assessment paperwork, the card application process and the temporary certificate on the day.
Three or more operatives on the same course is the typical break-even point versus centre-based delivery.
On-site delivery applies to both new training and renewals.
Combined IPAF + PASMA blocks (e.g. Towers for Users + 3A + 3B + Harness Awareness) are commonly delivered on-site over 3–3.5 consecutive days.

How on-site IPAF and PASMA training works

An IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructor from MPTT visits your yard or live project on the agreed date. The visit covers both the theory content (delivered in your meeting room, mess room, training cabin or any reasonable indoor space) and the practical assessment (delivered on the equipment in your operating area). Most on-site visits cover three or more operatives on the same course or a combined block. Results are issued on the day; the IPAF or PASMA central card application follows the same timeline as centre-based training. Temporary certificates are issued on the day so operatives can return to work immediately.

What the employer needs to provide for IPAF

A representative MEWP for each category being trained. A scissor lift for 3A; a boom lift for 3B; a static boom for 1B. The MEWP must be in safe working order and certified for use (current LOLER thorough examination).
A safe operating area. Enough space to demonstrate the practical-test tasks (raising, lowering, slewing, driving with platform elevated where category applies) without exposing the operator to live-site hazards.
Indoor space for the theory session. A meeting room, mess room or training cabin with enough seating for the group.
Operative PPE. Safety boots, hi-vis, hard hat. Harnesses if the course includes Harness Awareness (we provide where the employer does not).
Photo ID per operative.
A weather contingency for outdoor MEWP work. Practical assessment needs to be safe to run. Plan a backup date for severe weather where applicable.

What the employer needs to provide for PASMA

A complete mobile tower kit matched to the course (standard tower for Towers for Users; stair-frame tower for Towers for Stairs; low-level access products for Combined Low Level Access).
A safe erection area. Flat, firm ground, indoor or outdoor, with enough space to erect, alter and dismantle the tower at the height required by the course.
Indoor space for the theory session. Same as IPAF.
Operative PPE. Safety boots, hi-vis, hard hat, gloves.
Photo ID per operative.

If the employer does not have suitable equipment, MPTT can sometimes arrange a hire-and-deliver of a training tower or MEWP for the duration of the course. Send us the postcode and we will quote that into the on-site option.

What MPTT provides

MPTT brings the IPAF- or PASMA-approved instructor, all training materials, the theory assessment papers, the practical assessment paperwork, the IPAF or PASMA registration process, the post-course card application, and the temporary certificates issued on the day. Where multiple courses are run as a block (e.g. PASMA Towers for Users + IPAF 3A + 3B + Harness Awareness across 3 days), the instructor team is scoped to deliver each course in sequence without gaps. We also handle the CITB Levy claim documentation for Levy-registered employers.

Group bookings and cost

The per-operative cost of on-site IPAF and PASMA falls quickly as group size rises. The travel and instructor-day costs are fixed; spreading them across three or more operatives on the same course typically beats centre-based per-operative pricing comfortably. For larger fleets, MPTT can schedule a multi-day on-site programme covering several courses (3A, 3B, Harness Awareness, Towers for Users, Towers for Stairs) at a single attendance, which further reduces operational disruption. Send us the courses, the operative count and the postcode and we will quote on-site against centre-based.

When centre-based delivery is the better choice

On-site is not always the right answer. Centre-based delivery at MPTT’s Cannock facility is the better choice when:

You have one or two operatives only and travel costs would dominate the on-site quote.
The employer does not have a suitable representative MEWP or tower kit.
The site does not have a safe operating area large enough for the practical assessment.
The season makes outdoor MEWP practical assessment impractical and there is no indoor alternative.

We will recommend centre-based or on-site honestly based on the specifics. If centre-based is better value or more reliable for your booking, we will say so.

Combined IPAF + PASMA on-site blocks

For employers running mixed access fleets, the most efficient on-site programme is a combined IPAF + PASMA block. Common patterns:

2 days: PASMA Towers for Users (day 1) + IPAF 3A (day 2). Most operatives leave with both baseline cards.
2.5 days: Towers for Users + IPAF 3A + 3B combined. Adds boom competence.
3 days: Towers for Users + IPAF 3A + 3B + Harness Awareness. Full access toolbox.
3.5 days: Add Towers for Stairs for stairwell-heavy sites.

Booking the block on-site means one instructor visit covering every operative and every card. Tell us the courses, the operative count and the postcode, and we will scope the block.

Quick answers to related questions

Is on-site IPAF and PASMA cheaper than centre-based?

For groups of three or more operatives, typically yes. The instructor-day and travel costs spread across the group, and the employer saves operative travel and lost site time. For one or two operatives, centre-based delivery is often cheaper.

What does my site need to have for on-site PASMA?

A complete tower kit matched to the course, a safe erection area with flat firm ground, indoor space for the theory session, operative PPE and photo ID per operative.

Can renewals be done on-site?

Yes. IPAF PAL Card and PASMA card renewals are commonly delivered on-site, particularly for fleet renewals where moving operatives to a centre for a one-day course is expensive. Same instructor model, same approved syllabus.

Last updated: 2026-05-21. Reviewed by the MPTT work-at-height training team, IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructors.

Need IPAF or PASMA at Your Yard or Project?

Midland Plant Training & Testing delivers IPAF and PASMA training on-site across England via IPAF- and PASMA-approved instructors. Send us the courses, the number of operatives and the postcode. We will quote on-site against centre-based and recommend whichever is the better value for your booking. Combined IPAF + PASMA blocks scheduled across 2–3.5 consecutive days. CITB Levy claim documentation handled.

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