North East Access Training
Pasma Training
At North East Access Training (NEAT), PASMA training is delivered from our Birtley centre with a clear focus on how mobile access towers are actually used on site. As a PASMA-approved training provider, we deliver every course in line with the PASMA standard training scheme and current UK regulations. The priority is not just understanding the process but being able to carry it out correctly and safely in practice.
Across construction, maintenance and industrial environments, PASMA certification is often a basic requirement. Many sites will not permit tower use without valid proof of training, so the course serves both a safety and compliance purpose.
What is a PASMA Course?
A PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) course trains individuals to assemble, use, inspect and dismantle mobile access towers in a controlled and safe manner. The course content is based on current legislation, including the Work at Height Regulations and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998), making sure that all methods meet legal expectations.
We focus on the practical realities of tower use, including stability, positioning and load awareness. Attendees are shown where mistakes typically occur and how to avoid them. This approach makes sure that the training is applied correctly once back on site. After completing the course and passing both assessments, a PASMA certificate and photocard are issued.
PASMA Training Courses Available
We deliver PASMA training courses that reflect different working requirements. The PASMA Towers for Users course is the standard one-day course for those who assemble and work on mobile towers. Group sizes are limited to 12 so that each attendee is properly supervised during practical tasks.
The PASMA Combined course includes both Towers for Users and Low-Level training within one day. As this covers a wider range of equipment and methods, we restrict the number to 8 attendees to maintain assessment standards.
The PASMA Low-Level course is delivered as a half-day option for work carried out at lower heights. It focuses on the correct use of low-level access equipment and is limited to 10 attendees per session.
Across all courses, we keep numbers controlled to make sure that everyone can complete the practical parts rather than just listening and absorbing information all day.
PASMA Towers for Users:
Max 12 on a Course – Duration: One Day.
PASMA Combined – Towers for Users and Low Level:
Maximum 8 participants – Duration: 1 Day.
PASMA Low-Level Course:
Maximum 10 participants – Duration: ½ Day.
PASMA Training Course Content
Each course is delivered with a clear structure, combining theory with practical application. We structure every course around a clear division between morning theory in the classroom and afternoon practical work on real towers, so attendees get the chance to build both a proper understanding and a genuine skill.
Morning Theory Session
Morning sessions establish the theoretical foundation. We take attendees through the key health and safety regulations, the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, correct selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), procedures for reporting injuries or near-misses, safe manual handling techniques, and the specific PASMA working at height methods.
This section includes detailed guidance on the 3T (Through the Trap) system for safe platform access and the advanced guard rail arrangements that remove fall risks during erection and alteration. We finish the morning with a theory test to confirm that the material has been fully understood.
Afternoon Practical Work
In the afternoon, we move the focus to hands-on practical application outdoors or in our dedicated training area. Participants inspect every component to identify any defects, build towers step by step using approved sequences, practise shifting assembled towers safely across the site, dismantle them in the correct order, and apply PASMA inspection tags accurately. Once the practical work meets our standards and everything checks out, we take the photographs needed for the PASMA photocard. That card, which includes built-in security features for verification, normally reaches attendees by post within about five days.
PASMA Certificate and Card
On successful completion, we issue a PASMA certificate and photocard. This is widely recognised across UK sites and is often requested during site access checks.
The PASMA card is valid for five years. After this period, refresher training is required to maintain certification. For those looking into how to get a PASMA card, you need to complete an accredited course and pass both assessments.
Who Needs PASMA Scaffold Training
PASMA scaffold course training is required for anyone who assembles, uses, moves, or inspects mobile access towers. This applies to operatives, maintenance teams, engineers, installers, and supervisors.
Employers are responsible for making sure that anyone working at height is competent. We provide training that meets this requirement and offers recognised proof of competence. Attendees should be physically able to carry out the practical tasks and follow instructions during both training and assessment.
PASMA Training Location
Our Birtley training centre in County Durham serves as the main hub for PASMA training and the obvious choice for anyone searching for PASMA training near me in Tyne and Wear or the surrounding counties. Our convenient central location regularly brings attendees to us from Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham city and its surrounding districts.
We provide easy road access and fully equipped facilities that make attendance simple while we continue to meet the standards PASMA demands from all approved training centres. The facility supports both classroom-based learning and practical training in a controlled environment, allowing consistent delivery throughout the year.
PASMA Training Costs
PASMA training costs depend on the course selected and the number of delegates attending. We provide pricing based on the specific requirement, particularly for group bookings or combined courses.
To confirm costs, it is necessary to contact us with the course type and the number of candidates.
Book a PASMA Training Course
We run PASMA training courses throughout the year for both individuals and organisations. All courses are delivered by qualified instructors with practical experience in access equipment and working at height.
Places are limited due to controlled group sizes, so booking in advance is recommended to secure suitable dates.
