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In his second article, Stephen Plant, Business Development Manager of NET explains how the new AM2 assessment has been changed.
Two weeks ago, NET launched the new AM2 Assessment of Occupational Competence (AOC). We knew that updating what has been the benchmark of occupational competence in the industry for the last quarter of a century was never going to be an easy task. It was vital that we preserved the value of the assessment, while changing it to accurately reflect current working practices. The end result came following a two year consultation period with industry, during which the proposed changes were discussed, scrutinised and agreed.
The new AM2 is competence, rather than systems, based and is comprised of four sections; three practical and one theoretical. The first three sections cover the interpretation of specifications, drawings and diagrams; installation and termination of identified wiring systems; safe isolation; risk assessment; inspection, testing and certification; as well as diagnosis and correction of electrical faults. The fourth and final part is a 60 minute multi-choice question. The assessment is taken at one of NET’s 41 approved AM2 assessment centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Successful completion of the AM2 demonstrates that a candidate has the level of competence expected of them by the industry.
With the launch of the new AM2, NET has produced a candidate self-assessment checklist, which can be downloaded from NET’s new website www.netservices.org.uk. Candidates are encouraged to complete this checklist and produce an action plan if there are areas in which they feel they lack the required competence. Only when they are confident they have the appropriate experience and knowledge in each area are they ready to undertake the assessment. An information sheet detailing how the assessment process works is also available online. This guidance aims to ensure that candidates and their employers are well informed.
As part of the review, NET has installed a new marking and administration system. To ensure that the high standards demanded by the industry are upheld, all 41 AM2 licensed centres will operate using the same assessment rig and be subject to annual quality assurance visits. Centres will be examined by NET staff and bi-annually by an external verifier, to ensure there is consistency across all centres and to guarantee that the national standard is being upheld.
We are confident that the changes to the AM2 will be of benefit to the industry. Candidates and employers are now better supported and, crucially, the assessment remains the measure of occupational competence that it has been in our industry since 1985.