Our Training Locations
What is IPAF Operator Training?
IPAF stands for International Powered Access Federation and is the organisation that promotes the safe and responsible use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) such as Cherry Pickers and Scissor Lifts.
IPAF training will teach you the skills and knowledge that you need to safely and securely operate MEWPs and pass your desired IPAF test. Completing the MEWP training will show employers that you have received a high standard of training and have the correct certification to ensure you are compliant with rules and regulations.
We offer IPAF training in Southampton and our Worthing depots, as well as giving you the opportunity to complete your training at your own sites, using your own equipment.
For more information on how to complete training on your site, using your equipment contact our team on 02392 123555.
You may also be interested in our PASMA training courses. Our PASMA training courses will provide you with the skills and knowledge to safely assemble, dismantle and relocate Mobile Access Towers.

IPAF Training Course Information
Below we cover in a little more detail what each IPAF Course will typically include. If you would like to discuss your specific requirements to check if what your considering is the right course for you, then why not contact our friendly advisors who will help guide you towards the right course for your requirements!
IPAF Training Certification
Those delegates who pass our IPAF training will be issued with an IPAF accredited certification and PAL card, which is valid for up to 5-years. Once your certification has expired, you will need to complete a refresher course in order to gain/maintain your certification.
IPAF Course Capacity
Depending on which course you choose, training will last up to one day. We keep the classes small (4-10) people to ensure all attendees get the attention and training they require. We want all clients to be confident with the safe handling and understanding of the machinery. All courses will have written and practical testing and our centres receive regular updates to keep our learning current.
If this wasn’t quite what you were looking for, you may be interested in our PASMA training courses.
There are some courses which may require you to have taken another one beforehand. This is recommended for those who already have some certification, such as our IPAF 3a Mobile Vertical Demonstrator Training and IPAF 3b Mobile Boom Demonstrator Training. We would suggest checking the specific course page for this before contacting our team for booking and enquiries.
IPAF Training Course Duration
The length of your training course will depend upon which of our IPAF courses you choose to complete. The length of our IPAF courses varies between 0.5-1 day to complete, with our combined IPAF and PASMA courses both taking 2-days to complete.
We offer IPAF courses at our Southampton training centre and our Worthing depot. Additionally, IPAF can be completed at your site, using your equipment.
IPAF PAL Card
PAL stands for Powered Access License. It demonstrates that the holder has been trained fully and can operate platforms confidently and safely. If you successfully complete a training course at 2 Start the International Powered Access Federation will issue you a PAL card.
If you need to work at height, training is important so machines can be used effectively and safely whilst complying with legal requirements. In addition, the trainee will gain a new skill. IPAF training ensures that within a company the right safety measures and accident prevention has been put into place.
All our IPAF courses are created by industry experts to give platform workers everything they need to confidently operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs.) They will include everything needed for operators so it will conform to ISO 18878 ‘Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training.’
Smart PAL Card
The smart PAL card has been created for modern and convenient use. It's machine-readable to ensure only trained professionals are able to use the machines. The card has a chip on it which contains information such as which machines the owner is trained on. Besides this, no other personal information is stored on the card, in line with the data protection legislation. Using a smart PAL card ensures site safety for everyone so the machines can only be used correctly. It also prevents any fraudulent activity from occurring as it tracks exactly who uses the machine and when.
How Long is IPAF Valid For?
Once you have successfully passed your IPAF course, you will be issued a PAL card which is an official certification that is valid for up to 5 years after you’ve completed your course.
Once your PAL card expires you will need to complete another IPAF course.
Who Needs IPAF Training?
IPAF courses are required by anyone who wishes to use a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). It is a legal requirement that anyone who works at height has to have completed some sort of professional IPAF training.
Read our article that explains the different MEWP categories.
If you successfully complete one of our IPAF courses, you will be awarded a PAL (Powered Access Licence) card. This is an internationally recognised certification and will show anyone, such as employers or health and safety officers that you have the correct training to be working at heights.
IPAF Course Availability
We have a wide range of IPAF courses already available for you to choose from, although, we are working hard to continuously add new dates to ensure you have a wider selection of training dates to choose from.
IPAF Training at 2 Start
Here at 2 Start Training, we offer a variety of IPAF training courses, all of which are taught by highly experienced and IPAF-certified instructors. All students will obtain IPAF certification for the course they have completed in the form of an ePAL or PAL card. Our courses are designed to teach our students all the skills and abilities that they need to safely and securely operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). The courses we provide include:
Off-site IPAF Training
Here at 2 Start Training, we are giving our students the opportunity to complete their IPAF operator training on their own sites, using their own equipment. This will benefit workers by allowing them to practice and train on the same exact equipment that they will be using day in, day out.
Completing training at our customer’s sites allows us to cover a wider area and help more students complete their IPAF training and gain their certification.
Requirements to complete IPAF training on your site
Before any IPAF training can be completed on your site using your equipment, there are some requirements that you must meet. These requirements are in place to ensure that you have an appropriate and safe training environment for IPAF training to be carried out.
Some of the requirements that you need to meet include:
- A training room that is suitable for the number of delegates completing the course.
- Sufficient amount of practical training room so assessments and testing can be carried out.
- Delegates will be required to wear PPE as per the company’s internal risk assessment.
For more information on how training can be completed at our site and to see the full list of requirements click the link below.

Where can we train?
Not only are we able to complete off-site IPAF training in Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading & Worthing, we also cover a large proportion of the South. The areas we cover are shown in the image on the right.

IPAF Training Prices
Your IPAF course cost will depend upon which of our IPAF training courses you choose to complete, as the cost will vary depending on the type of course you require and the desired machinery you want to use.
Our IPAF Instructors
All of our off-site IPAF training courses are taught by industry professionals who are extremely experienced and qualified. If you complete one of our IPAF courses, our instructors will be dedicated to ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge needed to safely operate your desired MEWP and to gain your IPAF certification.
Why Train with 2 Start?
Call our advisors 02392 123 555
Speak with our experienced advisors Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm