Which IPAF course to do?

NewSpark29 · Jan 7, 2020

Hi Guys,

I have just started my journey as an electrician. I have recently finished my level 3 diploma and I am currently about to take the 18th Edition. I also have an ECS card and some experience working on site.

I am now looking to find work as an electrician's mate. A lot of the job adverts are looking for someone who has an IPAF licence, as there are many different categories such as; 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b I am unsure which one will be best to do? I was also wondering if anyone knew a good place to do the IPAF course in Birmingham? I have searched for places and there seems to be so many different ones, I am unsure which will offer me the best training and the training that I need.

Thanks guys and hopefully someone can help me

Sintra · Jan 7, 2020

I would go for 3a & 3b as these would be the most common on sites.

NewSpark29 · Jan 7, 2020

Sintra said:
I would go for 3a & 3b as these would be the most common on sites.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, do you think 1a and 1b will be needed then or those 2 (3a and 3b) will be fine?

Anthony S · Jan 7, 2020

You want 3a & 3b that will cover you but if you have no experience of using them don't expect the course to be easy to pass. I know people who have failed the theory and that's it the course is over don't even go on to using the MEWPS you need to resit and if you passed the theory you only have to touch a cone and you fail.

davesparks · Jan 7, 2020

What do all these categories mean?

Anthony S · Jan 7, 2020

Mobile Vertical and Mobile Boom

NewSpark29 · Jan 7, 2020

Anthony S said:
You want 3a & 3b that will cover you but if you have no experience of using them don't expect the course to be easy to pass. I know people who have failed the theory and that's it the course is over don't even go on to using the MEWPS you need to resit and if you passed the theory you only have to touch a cone and you fail.

Thanks for letting me know that, I will try to learn what i can before the course starts. Do you know what kind of stuff comes up on the theory?

Anthony S · Jan 7, 2020

NewSpark29 said:
Thanks for letting me know that, I will try to learn what i can before the course starts. Do you know what kind of stuff comes up on the theory?

Most of it is common sense and you can make as many notes as you want and your given paperwork as well, you just need to listen understand and take it all in.
It is projected on a screen and linked to ipaf in real time so they know whats being shown and therefore know what stages its at etc
Multi choice exam at the end.

NewSpark29 · Jan 7, 2020

Anthony S said:
Most of it is common sense and you can make as many notes as you want and your given paperwork as well, you just need to listen understand and take it all in.
It is projected on a screen and linked to ipaf in real time so they know whats being shown and therefore know what stages its at etc
Multi choice exam at the end.

Cool, sounds straight forward enough. I guess I just have to worry about the practical part.