Former electrical apprentice and AM2 Certificate holder, Chris Young, will be proving himself among the top electricians in the world at WorldSkills in October.
Most young people have a dream of representing their country at a top-flight competition, but only a select few manage it. Former electrical apprentice Chris Young performs so highly at his skill, he will be flying the flag for the UK at this year’s WorldSkills, the world's largest, international skills competition.
Chris works for Somerset-based Rogers Restorations Electrical and its sister company Sunlit Solar. The 21-year-old took his apprenticeship between 2006 and 2009 and is ready and raring to go; encouraged by prior success at demonstrating his skill under pressure during his AM2, the practical competence assessment taken at the end of an apprentice’s training. Chris excelled at the assessment bays to pass the AM2 and qualify as a full scope electrician, and will be hoping to display the same great shape on a larger scale when he faces the WorldSkills competition rigs.
Chris will take on the best in the world at the ExCel in London between 5-8 October as he competes for his country in the Electrical Installation category of the vocational and skilled trades event. It involves tackling three challenges – fault finding, domestic and commercial installation using conventional technology, and an industrial installation with a control circuit.
Chris explains how he has been preparing for such a high-profile contest. “While I was progressing through my training and the AM2 assessment, I was also involved in competitions. The AM2 has been great – not only has passing it meant I was certified as competent, but it tests all the skills that are involved in the competitions, so it’s prepared me in more ways than one.”
The AM2 was recently updated by NET following a two-year consultation between the industry and key stakeholders, ensuring it remains a true reflection of the competencies required by those entering the electrical industry. As the responsibility for administering the AM2 rests with NET licensed assessment centres, which are independent from the training process, the AM2 is a truly impartial assessment. It all adds up to a great foundation for competing against the very best in the world, and suggests that any AM2 candidate who can demonstrate the required skills with ease, who has the right ambition, could hold the potential to be a world champion.
In the run-up to WorldSkills, Chris has been going through extensive practice sessions to ensure he can compete with the very best from the 50 plus countries taking part in the challenge. Helping him has been the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) Education and Training Manager, David Thomas, and Gloucester-based AM2 assessment and training centre Clarkson Evans. “At Clarkson Evans, I’ve been trained in a range of skills from fault finding on general distribution, to complex motor wiring and fault diagnosis. Meanwhile, with David I’ve been doing one-on-one training. This has built on the firm foundation gained from my apprenticeship, which has covered every area to WorldSkills standards. I’ve been lucky to have an exceptional team to help me prepare for the main event,” he says.
Chris is now eager and ready, armed with excellent training and the confidence gained from knowing he has been assessed to the highest standards within the electrical industry. “Competing at WorldSkills means everything to me,” he says. “I have trained for the last three years to get to the stage I am now. To win would be the most indescribable thing I have ever done. Personally and professionally, it will open a whole new world for me.”
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