Our industry leading IPAF courses provide delegates with the knowledge and practical skills to safely operate powered access equipment.
This IPAF Operator course with practical training session and assessment covers two powered access products - Mobile Vertical (3a) + Mobile Boom (3b).
This attracts a CITB Short Course Duration Grant at Tier 2, with a value of £140. Please see the Grants and Funding tab for further information.
IPAF ePAL
HSS has been awarded an EcoVadis Gold rating, reaffirming our group commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.
HSS Training are working hard to protect the environment whilst providing quality services to our customers. HSS are aware that the unnecessary printing of paper certificates may negatively impact your environmental aspirations and as well as our own.
For this reason all IPAF certifications are now digital as standard through IPAF Digital PAL Card Licence Application (ePAL); the cost of which is included within your course fee.
However, if it is imperative that you have a paper certificate this can be arranged at the additional cost of £40+VAT in order to cover the necessary costs for processing, printing and postage.
Theory
- Introduction and pre-course theory test
- MEWP regulations and guidance
- Machine types and use
- Structural parts
- Familiarisation and pre-use inspection
- Safe operating methods and hazards
- Written theory test
Practical
- Practical training
- Practical assessment
Note:
You must have a good understanding of spoken and written English. Please contact us if you have any concerns in this area on 0345 605 0006.
Those who operate, supervise or manage the use of powered access equipment including scissor lifts (3a) and self-propelled boom lifts (3b).
Those who need to use only one category of powered access equipment should attend the Single Category course - Mobile Vertical (3a) / Mobile Boom (3b).
As a company that is committed to providing high quality
services to all our clients, we will always aim to make reasonable adjustments
ensuring all individuals receive the required help they need.
Click here to learn more
Delegates successfully completing the course will receive an IPAF Certificate and Powered Access Licence (PAL) Card valid for 5 years.
IPAF ePAL
CITB Short Course Duration Grant
As of the 1st April 2023, the levy grants for CITB have been updated. For more information on the changes please click here.
Information for Employers
HSS Training is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) with CITB, allowing our customers to claim grants for completing training on our registered courses. The CITB levy and grants scheme has been introduced to ensure the UK construction industry has the skilled workforce that it needs; providing grants for employers to train their workers. This helps to maintain health & safety standards on construction sites, keeping the right skills available for the industry to grow. In turn this will allow projects to be completed on time and within budget, in a safe and sustainable manner.
How much is the Grant?
The grant rates are split into three tiers, determined by the duration and content of the course.
•Tier 1 = £60
•Tier 2 = £140
•Tier 3 = £240
| Course Name | Grant Tier | Value |
| IPAF (Dual) Mobile Vertical (3a) + (3b) Mobile Boom - Operator | Tier 2 | £140 |
| IPAF Harness Use and Inspection | Tier 1 | £60 |
| PASMA Mobile Access Towers for Users | Tier 2 | £140 |
| Ladder and Stepladder User - Ladder Association | Tier 1 | £60 |
| Ladder and Stepladder Inspection - Ladder Association | Tier 1 | £60 |
| Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) | Tier 3 | £240 |
| Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS) | Tier 3 - 50% | £120 |
| Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) | Tier 2 | £140 |
| Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SSSTS) | Tier 2 - 50% | £70 |
| Site Safety Plus - Health & Safety Awareness | Tier 1 | £60 |
Please refer to the Approved Course List on CITB’s website for the full course directory. Grants are paid once for each individual per course, with the exception of a renewal or refresher course.
Which courses are covered?
As a CITB accredited ATO, HSS Training has 20+ courses registered under the CITB Short Course Duration Grant. Short duration courses last from 3 hours to 29 days, focusing on the core construction skills needed across the industry.
The full list of approved courses is available on CITB’s Construction Training Directory.
• Assured Products - courses delivered to an agreed industry standard
• Recognised Products - an approved standard by a relevant awarding body that is widely accepted by the industry i.e. IPAF, PASMA, Ladder Association
• CITB - relating to the Site Safety Plus courses
How do I claim?
Q. What do I need to do as the employer?
A. Simply book your employee onto their required course (our full open schedule is available on the HSS Training website) and provide us with the following details: Delegate name, DOB, Address, NI Number and the Employer CITB Levy Number.
Q. How do I make a claim?
A. We will do everything for you. Because HSS Training is an ATO with CITB, following your employees successful completion of their course we will update the construction Training Register and you will automatically receive the payment.
Q. How will I receive the payment?
A. Grants can only be paid back via bank transfer, so ensure that CITB hold your current bank details - you can do this through their secure online Bacs Direct Credit Authorisation Form.
Who can claim?
Any Employer can claim who has registered with CITB and meets their general grants scheme eligibility requirements. Short Duration grants are available to all directly employed Pay As You Earn (PAYE) staff and sub-contractors.
Note – grants are not paid to individual employees.
Eligibility Requirements
Employers are able to claim grants if they have sent a Levy Return to CITB by 30th November each year (where applicable).
Please refer to CITB’s website for more information on how Levy Returns are calculated for a company.
IPAF Dual Course FAQs
My site has told me I need IPAF training. What does this mean?
What’s the difference between 3a and 3b machines?
- 3a – Mobile Vertical (Scissor Lifts): This category covers self-propelled vertical platforms, such as scissor lifts, which move straight up and down. These machines are commonly used indoors or on stable ground where vertical access is needed. They can be driven while elevated, and some models are fitted with tracks, wheels, or stabilisers depending on the surface and machine type.
- 3b – Mobile Boom (Cherry Pickers): This category includes self-propelled boom lifts that provide both vertical and horizontal reach, ideal for accessing hard-to-reach areas or working around obstacles.
How long does the IPAF Dual course take?
What’s included in the course fee?
Do I need a harness for IPAF training?
Eligibility
Do I need prior experience?
What are the entry requirements?
- Minimum Age: Delegates must be at least 16 years old, parental or guardian consent may be required for delegates under the age of 18. Additionally, employers may set higher minimum age limits depending on their workplace policies.
- Language proficiency: A good understanding of spoken and written English.
- Health requirements: You should be in good physical health and fitness and have no serious issues related to vision, hearing, heart conditions or a severe fear of heights/vertigo.
Delivery & Locations
Can this course be delivered at my site or workplace?
Before You Attend
Do I need to bring anything with me?
- Valid photo ID (passport, driving license, CSCS card)
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Full body safety harness with adjustable lanyard
Can HSS Training make reasonable adjustments if I have special requirements?
- IPAF test papers in 30+ languages (Operator courses only)
- Support for learners with reading, writing, or other learning needs.
Can I bring a translator to my course?
Our industry leading IPAF courses provide delegates with the knowledge and practical skills to safely operate powered access equipment.
This IPAF Operator course with practical training session and assessment covers two powered access products - Mobile Vertical (3a) + Mobile Boom (3b).
This attracts a CITB Short Course Duration Grant at Tier 2, with a value of £140. Please see the Grants and Funding tab for further information.
IPAF ePAL
HSS has been awarded an EcoVadis Gold rating, reaffirming our group commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.
HSS Training are working hard to protect the environment whilst providing quality services to our customers. HSS are aware that the unnecessary printing of paper certificates may negatively impact your environmental aspirations and as well as our own.
For this reason all IPAF certifications are now digital as standard through IPAF Digital PAL Card Licence Application (ePAL); the cost of which is included within your course fee.
However, if it is imperative that you have a paper certificate this can be arranged at the additional cost of £40+VAT in order to cover the necessary costs for processing, printing and postage.
Theory
- Introduction and pre-course theory test
- MEWP regulations and guidance
- Machine types and use
- Structural parts
- Familiarisation and pre-use inspection
- Safe operating methods and hazards
- Written theory test
Practical
- Practical training
- Practical assessment
Note:
You must have a good understanding of spoken and written English. Please contact us if you have any concerns in this area on 0345 605 0006.
IPAF Dual Course FAQs
My site has told me I need IPAF training. What does this mean?
What’s the difference between 3a and 3b machines?
- 3a – Mobile Vertical (Scissor Lifts): This category covers self-propelled vertical platforms, such as scissor lifts, which move straight up and down. These machines are commonly used indoors or on stable ground where vertical access is needed. They can be driven while elevated, and some models are fitted with tracks, wheels, or stabilisers depending on the surface and machine type.
- 3b – Mobile Boom (Cherry Pickers): This category includes self-propelled boom lifts that provide both vertical and horizontal reach, ideal for accessing hard-to-reach areas or working around obstacles.
How long does the IPAF Dual course take?
What’s included in the course fee?
Do I need a harness for IPAF training?
Eligibility
Do I need prior experience?
What are the entry requirements?
- Minimum Age: Delegates must be at least 16 years old, parental or guardian consent may be required for delegates under the age of 18. Additionally, employers may set higher minimum age limits depending on their workplace policies.
- Language proficiency: A good understanding of spoken and written English.
- Health requirements: You should be in good physical health and fitness and have no serious issues related to vision, hearing, heart conditions or a severe fear of heights/vertigo.
Delivery & Locations
Can this course be delivered at my site or workplace?
Before You Attend
Do I need to bring anything with me?
- Valid photo ID (passport, driving license, CSCS card)
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Full body safety harness with adjustable lanyard
Can HSS Training make reasonable adjustments if I have special requirements?
- IPAF test papers in 30+ languages (Operator courses only)
- Support for learners with reading, writing, or other learning needs.
Can I bring a translator to my course?
Those who operate, supervise or manage the use of powered access equipment including scissor lifts (3a) and self-propelled boom lifts (3b).
Those who need to use only one category of powered access equipment should attend the Single Category course - Mobile Vertical (3a) / Mobile Boom (3b).
As a company that is committed to providing high quality
services to all our clients, we will always aim to make reasonable adjustments
ensuring all individuals receive the required help they need.
Click here to learn more
Delegates successfully completing the course will receive an IPAF Certificate and Powered Access Licence (PAL) Card valid for 5 years.
IPAF ePAL
CITB Short Course Duration Grant
As of the 1st April 2023, the levy grants for CITB have been updated. For more information on the changes please click here.
Information for Employers
HSS Training is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) with CITB, allowing our customers to claim grants for completing training on our registered courses. The CITB levy and grants scheme has been introduced to ensure the UK construction industry has the skilled workforce that it needs; providing grants for employers to train their workers. This helps to maintain health & safety standards on construction sites, keeping the right skills available for the industry to grow. In turn this will allow projects to be completed on time and within budget, in a safe and sustainable manner.
How much is the Grant?
The grant rates are split into three tiers, determined by the duration and content of the course.
•Tier 1 = £60
•Tier 2 = £140
•Tier 3 = £240
| Course Name | Grant Tier | Value |
| IPAF (Dual) Mobile Vertical (3a) + (3b) Mobile Boom - Operator | Tier 2 | £140 |
| IPAF Harness Use and Inspection | Tier 1 | £60 |
| PASMA Mobile Access Towers for Users | Tier 2 | £140 |
| Ladder and Stepladder User - Ladder Association | Tier 1 | £60 |
| Ladder and Stepladder Inspection - Ladder Association | Tier 1 | £60 |
| Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) | Tier 3 | £240 |
| Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS) | Tier 3 - 50% | £120 |
| Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) | Tier 2 | £140 |
| Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SSSTS) | Tier 2 - 50% | £70 |
| Site Safety Plus - Health & Safety Awareness | Tier 1 | £60 |
Please refer to the Approved Course List on CITB’s website for the full course directory. Grants are paid once for each individual per course, with the exception of a renewal or refresher course.
Which courses are covered?
As a CITB accredited ATO, HSS Training has 20+ courses registered under the CITB Short Course Duration Grant. Short duration courses last from 3 hours to 29 days, focusing on the core construction skills needed across the industry.
The full list of approved courses is available on CITB’s Construction Training Directory.
• Assured Products - courses delivered to an agreed industry standard
• Recognised Products - an approved standard by a relevant awarding body that is widely accepted by the industry i.e. IPAF, PASMA, Ladder Association
• CITB - relating to the Site Safety Plus courses
How do I claim?
Q. What do I need to do as the employer?
A. Simply book your employee onto their required course (our full open schedule is available on the HSS Training website) and provide us with the following details: Delegate name, DOB, Address, NI Number and the Employer CITB Levy Number.
Q. How do I make a claim?
A. We will do everything for you. Because HSS Training is an ATO with CITB, following your employees successful completion of their course we will update the construction Training Register and you will automatically receive the payment.
Q. How will I receive the payment?
A. Grants can only be paid back via bank transfer, so ensure that CITB hold your current bank details - you can do this through their secure online Bacs Direct Credit Authorisation Form.
Who can claim?
Any Employer can claim who has registered with CITB and meets their general grants scheme eligibility requirements. Short Duration grants are available to all directly employed Pay As You Earn (PAYE) staff and sub-contractors.
Note – grants are not paid to individual employees.
Eligibility Requirements
Employers are able to claim grants if they have sent a Levy Return to CITB by 30th November each year (where applicable).
Please refer to CITB’s website for more information on how Levy Returns are calculated for a company.
Want to train at your premises?
This course can be delivered as a dedicated course at your premises / site.
Find out More
