Originally launched in 2013 as the PAT Testing Network, then rebranded in 2018, PATTA was started to help connect PAT testers around the UK.

Prior to the PTN’s launch in 2013, a bunch of PAT testers had already connected through social media, and friendships had been formed. We’d met up and had informal events, we’d chatted about our work and the wrongs in the industry and we wanted to do something about it. That’s where the PAT Testing Network came from; we were the formation of a group of people who got to know each other at a time when there was no other ways for PAT testers to connect.

When we wanted the PTN to be able to do more such as represent the industry when discussions were happening that affected it, we weren’t being taken seriously, so we had to evolve. We found that the PTN was looked upon as being no more than a ‘drinking’ network that met in pubs (granted our meet ups did tend to be that), and online keyboard warriors! So we needed to step up. Chats with some ‘powers’ in the electrical industry, health and safety and government etc led to us formalising our group as a trade association. This made a huge difference. Doors that otherwise were closed to us, were now not only opening, but inviting us in. A simple name change made a huge difference.

We wanted PATTA to continue the good work of the PTN, and it does.. we still meet up, we still connect through our Facebook group, but we do a bit more now – we have regular formal meetings, more social events, training courses and we have our PAT testers network – Find a PAT tester – where you can find other PAT testers in your area to connect with.

When PATTA was formed, we had about 30-50 active members, now the association has over 150 members, so we know what we are doing is working.

PATTA, albeit an association was established by and is owned by partners Tim James and Richard Ayre, with the company registered as Limited by Guarantee company. This means we can’t take a dividend. Some expenses are reimbursed, but most of PATTA’s income is reinvested back into the association. We are assisted in our running of the association by a voluntary members’ group. Anyone can apply to join this group, assuming you have a particular skill to offer.

Contrary to popular belief, PATTA is not and does not intend to be an industry regulator or certification body (like the NICEIC or NAPIT is to electricians) but is acting as a standards bearer for our industry.

However, it is our aim to lead people to apply high standards in their business, to help eradicate the industry of ‘cowboy’ traders, and to self-regulate, so that the industry is seen by it’s buyers as a reputable industry carrying out an important service.

We do this by representing our industry, by sharing best practices to educate our peers, and connecting our members.

Doing all this takes time, patience and money and we can’t do it on our own. We need you and your help. By joining PATTA and paying a small fee you help us by covering some of the costs of our labour, but it is a long road with plenty of work to be done, so if you can offer more than that please do get in touch.

We hope that by working together we can show all our clients that high standards far outweigh the cheapest prices.

Since we began, we have had meetings in Parliament, with Government departments, British Standards, manufacturers, training bodies, the IET, Electrical Safety First, and we were heavily involved in the writing of the latest Code of Practice.

If you check out page 9 of the IET Code of Practice, 5^th Edition, for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, you will see that we are referenced as a Co-Operating Organisation. Our Standards Director, Tim James, was heavily involved in the writing of various parts of the publication, and sat at the table of every meeting.

When you see people on social media incorrectly quoting the COP, and we step in to try to educate them, it’s laughable that they continue to argue that we’re wrong – we helped write it, we know it’s intentions! There’s a couple of really interesting videos on this site, from a talk we put on for our members. It was led by who some people consider the godfather of the industry, Mr Jim Wallace, formerly of Seaward and now representing Gambica; Jim explained to us the background to the Code of Practice.

Whilst we were working on the new (COP) publication, we were not allowed to talk about it, we couldn’t tell our members we were doing it – this is what our work is often about – top secret. When it’s in the public domain we can tell you we were involved, but often you may not see it, but we are busy. We are busy, but we can’t always tell you, so when you are wondering what we are doing, rest assured, we are doing something.

Much of our work is proactive, and some is responsive. We use social media as a platform to educate; if a subject proves to be particularly juicy we may take it and create an article, Vlog or Podcast, with the intention of helping fellow PAT Testers to learn.

In recent years we have noticed a marked improvement in the way new customers perceive what we as PAT testers do, and there is now more understanding in the importance of standards. No longer do most customers look for the cheapest price, now, the majority know that to get quality they need to pay a bit more.

We do however ask our members to help us – when going for a job, don’t go in cheap to win it, educate your client on the importance of high standards and safety, and win that job based on that. We have members charging rates at the top end of the scale, who win a lot of new work and retain clients for many years. You too can do that.

Through improvements in education and knowledge customers now know the importance of PAT in health and safety.

As a member you can display the PATTA logo on your stationery, clothing, website, anywhere you like. The PATTA logo shows your clients that quality and standards are important to you.

Tim James

Richard Ayre

Lee Turtle

Chris Moore

Liam Reed

Ben Morrison

Steve Matthews