A £1.65m overhaul of an existing Northampton College building has created the region’s only electrotechnical testing centre – giving students the chance to be assessed locally and removing the need to travel further afield.
The state-of-the-art AM2/AM2S Assessment Centre was made possible partly thanks to £350,000 funding from SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund and will give students and apprentices from across the county the opportunity to take vital assessments to prove they are ready for the world of work.
Previously, students would have had to travel to either Peterborough or Birmingham to complete the three-day industry recognised trade test, incurring a wave of unwanted costs.
AM2 assessor and co-ordinator Chris Wiltshire said: “This project involved the refurbishment of an existing building next to our pioneering Advanced Construction and Engineering Centre. It has seen us set up and equip an independent Test and Training Centre, focusing on the specific needs of local employers in the construction sector.
“The development includes an Assessment Centre (Electrical) alongside existing training rooms, providing the specialist and independent facilities required for Electrical Apprentices to undertake their End Point Assessments for the new Apprenticeship Standards in Northamptonshire.
“The Assessment Centre allows people to gain the necessary qualification to be eligible to obtain their CSCS cards, now required by all staff wishing to access and work on construction sites.”
The AM2/AM2S Assessments are controlled by National Electrotechnical Training (NET), in conjunction with the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and Summitskills.
It is the electrotechnical industry standard assessment for occupational competence typically taken by individuals enrolled on an electrotechnical apprenticeship programme, of which the AM2/AM2S assessments is a mandatory requirement.
It is designed for individuals who wish to practice either as an electrician or as a maintenance electrician and aims to provide evidence of a level of competence expected by the industry in the following key occupational areas:
- The interpretation of specifications, drawings and diagrams.
- Risk assessments and health and safety.
- Planning and preparing to install, terminate and connect identified wiring systems.
- Safe isolation.
- Installing, terminating and connecting identified wiring systems.
- Inspection, testing and certification.
For more information about undertaking assessments at the new centre contact Chris Wiltshire on 07712 675478 or email chris.wiltshire@northamptoncollege.ac.uk
