Test and tagging doesn’t often get long-form attention in mainstream trade media. It’s usually mentioned in passing – a compliance requirement, a line item, or something businesses “just have to do.”
That’s why it was interesting to see a recent trade press article follow a real operator working in the space, looking at how running a test and tag business day to day actually functions.
Test & Tag Beyond the Certificate
The article features Jarrod from The Local Guys, who built a test and tag franchise alongside his broader trade work. It touches on his pathway into the industry through Test & Tag Training, then looks beyond the test and tag certificate - focusing on what it takes to stay compliant, work efficiently on site, and then have the right support in place as the business grows.
What stood out wasn’t the certification itself, but how testing and tagging actually plays out on site. It’s treated as part of the workflow, not an afterthought or a box-ticking exercise. That’s something we see regularly when people take the time to understand the work properly rather than rushing through it.
Why This Matters
Stories like this are a good reminder that test and tag sits at the intersection of safety, compliance, and running a viable business.
When done properly, it protects workers, reduces risk for clients, and creates a reliable service offering that businesses can build around.
It’s also a reflection of a broader shift we’re seeing in the industry. As worksites get busier, labour pressure increases, and the skills shortage continues - there’s less tolerance for shortcuts. Clients are more aware, audits are tighter, and expectations around electrical safety continue to rise.
Seeing test and tag discussed in this way — grounded in real work, real businesses, and real outcomes — helps lift the conversation beyond minimum compliance and into how it actually functions in the field.
For anyone operating in the space, or considering adding test and tag as part of their service offering, it’s a useful perspective on how the work fits into the bigger picture. This article originally appeared in the Tradie Magazine and is now available online. It's well worth a read for anyone working in, or considering entering, the test and tag industry.
