Welcome
Hello and welcome to Electrical Qualifications. This site has been set up to help you demistify the somewhat confusing route to practising as an electrician. It is a useful resource for young people looking for entry into the electrical industry and adults looking for electrical training to retrain or gain qualifications in order to further a career in the electrical industry. The site is not just for potential electricians and the City and Guilds 2330 crowd, information is also available if you are a current practising electrician or an allied trade such as a plumber, gas fitter, contractor or kitchen fitter through the domestic installers qualifications and competent person scheme.
latest news
Changes again to the AM2
Monday 1st of February 2010
The official document has been released by NET regarding the AM2. Much of the information has been previously posted but the rest makes for some interesting reading. As thought, MIMS has gone and in its place is now heat resistant flex, SY cable and data cable (cat 5/6?). Of interest is the planned exam component, and it has been released as:
Assessment of Applied Knowledge Exam
The new exam will be 30 questions with a pass mark of 80% covering applied knowledge on occupational competence. It covers:
- Health and safety
- Hand tools
- BS7671
Building Regulations - Control systems
- Single and three phase motors
- Overload or short circuit protection
- Inspection, test and fault finding
More information can be found here: http://www.net-works.org.uk/am2_new.asp
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Small changes to the AM2 again
Saturday 19th of December 2009
There are some more changes happening as we type, the main one currently is that the multi choice exam will now be a written exam. More news to follow as and when.
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New information on the changes to the AM2
Sunday 29th of November 2009
New information on the changes to the AM2
The new AM2 is now scheduled for April 2010. One of the biggest differences is that no paperwork will be sent in advance as has been the case beforehand. There is sure to be some information, currently believed to be a support pack for employers and providers, but students will get instructions when they arrive at the test centre. This time they will need to be prepared, all the details (for however long they can) will be kept secret.
The marking system is being changed, previously there were lenient critical points and safe isolation for example could see the student get several important safety points incorrect yet still pass. The new system will be a lot tighter, easier to interpret and more focused. The safe isolation for instance will now have to be performed 100% correctly to pass.
Before a student will be allowed to sit the AM2, a mandatory checklist sill be completed to ensure that the student is ready to take the test. The current system has seen students turn up who are not yet ready but have been pushed through by training providers, employers and colleges due to various issues including student funding.
The new test is to last between 2 and 2 and a half days (16.5 hours) and there will be as previously stated 4 distinct sections.
Section A
Fabrication has been removed entirely as it is thought to be a level 2 skill (Eds note: How does it get assessed then? According to the Summit Skills, industry does not recognise a level 2 so how can there be level 2 skills?). There are also increased expectations on the students ability to think about installation design. For example, the correct choice of protective device, the selection of RCD/RCBO for relevant circuits and the correct overload setting within the DOL starter which will be changed frequently so has to be calculated on an individual basis. Below are some of the expectations for the new qualification:
SWA termination
SY (Armourflex) termination
Twin and CPC (2 way lighting circuit)
Wiring in singles
FP200
Compartmental trunking
Tray
DOL starter and motor circuit (starter pre-wired)
External socket (to be RCD protected)
CO2 detector
Thermostat
S Plan heating system
Solar panel
Earthing systems
Section B and C
Inspection, test and fault finding. This time, the expectation is on the student to complete a full set of BS7671 paperwork, an EIC, Schedules of test results and inspections.
Section D
A 30 question multiple choice paper which will relate to the AM2, such as working safely, risk assessments and methodology.
Centre approval
All centres will automatically get approval to change over. There will be an increased quality assurance procedure carried out on these centres.
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City & Guilds 2357 Level 3 (QCF replacement)
Sunday 27th of September 2009
The qualification currently due to replace both the C&G2330 and the C&G2356 when they expire is, at this moment in time, going to be called the C&G2357 and is going to be at level 3. We are currently unaware of what EAL intend to call their qualification although they are currently writing the electrotechnical units so it will be reasonable to expect them to be the first awarding body to release the official finalised units. In contrast, City and Guilds are writing the Plumbing units and will be approving the electrotechnical units only. At this moment in time, there does not look to be a level 2 equivalent, the qualification may well be similar to the EAL version which is a 700+ hour Level 3 qualification only.
The final units have to be signed off by Summit Skills by the end of October but there are currently draft versions, as outlined below, in circulation for scrutiny. There are currently 8 knowledge units which are still in development and subject to change at any point. There will be post implementation reviews of the units after they have been launched slated for sometime in November 2010.
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BS7671 Wiring Regulations 17th Edition now at £45.50 with Amazon and On Site Guide at £13.60
Tuesday 15th of September 2009
For those currently starting college to do the 2330 level 2 or the level 3 or for those getting ready to do the 2382 17th Edition, Amazon are currently offering the best discount on the net we can find. The 17th Edition is £45.50 and located here: IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition : (BS 7671: 2008)
and the On Site Guide at £13.60 can be found here:
IEE On-site Guide; BS 7671 : 2008 IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition
Get them while they are hot we reckon!
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