AM2 testing centre benefits from Scolmore’s specialist products

07-03-2022

Picture shows:  Vicky Frisby, apprentice with Beau Associates

Beau Associates is a leading, independent training provider specialising in the delivery of electrical qualifications for electricians and electrical apprentices. The company was formed by local further education professionals to deliver electrical training based in Ashton-Under-Lyne.   The team have been responsible for training numerous electricians in the North West over the last 20 years, many of whom have gone on to form their own companies and are now employing their own apprentices.

When Beau Associates opened its new AM2 test centre on the Ashton-Under-Lyne site, the company was keen to ensure that it was kitted out with all the resources necessary to enable the attending candidates to achieve the required AM2 standard. Scolmore Group has long been associated with the Beau Associates and didn’t hesitate to get on board with supplying lighting and wiring accessories products that are used during the AM2 exams.

Achievement Measurement 2 is a practical performance skill test administered by the National Electrotechnical Training (NET). It is designed for individuals who wish to work as electricians or as maintenance electricians. By taking the AM2 exam, electricians are demonstrating that they have a level of competence expected by the industry in the following key occupational areas:

• The interpretation of specifications, drawings and diagrams
• Health and safety incorporating risk assessments
• Safe isolation
• Planning and preparing to install, terminate and connect identified wiring systems
• Inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations
• Fault diagnosis and fault correction
• The understanding and application of industry recognised procedures, working practices and the requirements of statutory and non-statutory regulations.

Candidates are required to work on:

• Lighting and power circuits
• A three-phase distribution board and sub-circuit
• A central heating/sustainable energy system
• A safety services circuit and device
• A data cabling system.

Products from Scolmore’s wiring accessories ranges have been supplied, including a variety of switches and sockets from the Click Essentials Metal Clad and Click Mode moulded white ranges. From the Ovia lighting division, a number of EVO energy-saving LED bulkheads have also been provided.

The AM2 candidates will benefit from the products when it comes to their assessment over the course of three days. The equipment and devices will be utilised when the apprentices second fix the electrical installation within their bay exercise. Having new, compliant accessories will help the apprentice complete the installation to the high standard as expected by NET.

Consumer Units from Scolmore’s recently launched Elucian range have also been supplied for use in the Apprentice Workshop, where the students carry out all their key learning and training modules. Having the resources from Scolmore has helped to prepare the apprentices for real work activities with quality products that are robust enough to practice with.

Carol Iveson, Director at Beau Associates, said: “We have benefitted from a strong relationship with Scolmore and they have supplied us with a range of top quality accessories which have stood the test of time.  Our association with Scolmore was formed through our involvement with the Electrical Apprentice of the Year and has continued over the years and throughout the COVID outbreak. Scolmore was still able to support us during COVID and provided resources to enable us to complete our AM2 Centre. We were able to open on time and provide a service to a backlog of apprentices waiting for AM2 tests.

“We are very grateful for the support that we have been given by Scolmore.  As a private organisation we do not benefit from additional funding from Government for our apprentices. We will always put our learners first by providing the very best resources, facilities, and training that we can – we thank Scolmore for helping us to achieve this.”