NET survey gives insights into AM2 readiness
Key findings on candidates’ readiness and preparation for AM2 have emerged following a survey conducted by National Electrotechnical Training (NET).
To better understand why people don’t pass their AM2 first time, NET contacted candidates who failed their first AM2 attempt to ask how prepared they felt, what experience they had in certain areas and how they prepared for the assessment.
Around 1,200 candidates responded to the survey, leading to some emerging themes around the levels of confidence, knowledge and experience, their work environment and the preparation materials used.
1. 54% of candidates did not feel fully prepared
Only 46% of respondents said they felt fully prepared for the assessment and 10% said they were not prepared at all. This is despite the candidate, employer and training provider all signing the AM2 Checklist, a mandatory document in which all three parties sign a declaration stating the candidate has the knowledge and skills required for the assessment and no further training is required.
Of those who were less than fully prepared, fault finding (44%) and inspection and testing (36%) were the most common areas in which candidates felt they were not prepared.
2. Work environment does not allow candidates to get relevant experience
All respondents had sat assessments relating to the Installation/Maintenance Electrician (IME) training route i.e. AM2, AM2S or AM2E. However, only 35% said they mainly undertook industrial and commercial work. 19% stated they only worked on domestic and 25% stated a mix of both but were mainly domestic.
Candidates working primarily on domestic projects are often unable to fully develop the range of skills that are needed on the IME pathway and have limited opportunity to practice in the workplace.
Under half said they felt fully prepared in terms of sufficient knowledge in both inspection and testing and fault finding, with 25% stating they did not have regular opportunities to undertake inspection and testing on site and 26% had no or limited practical experience of fault finding.
3. Many are using unofficial guidance instead of NET official resources
Some candidates (7%) carried out no preparation or revision at all. For the majority who did prepare, the most popular resource by far was unofficial videos from third parties, used by 83% of learners. 50% of learners said they got support from their training provider to prepare. 44% said they used online forums and social media for guidance.
Whilst 65% of candidates did use the free NET official preparation resources, this still leaves over a third of candidates not accessing the pre-assessment manual, apps and detailed guidance from NET.
An open-ended question was asked to explore why they sat the assessment if they did not feel ready. The answers given fall largely into three categories:
- Wanting to understand the technical areas because they were not covered in their day-to-day work.
- Pressure from their training provider or employer to sit the assessment.
- Desire to ‘have a go’, to see what it was about, fully expecting a re-sit.
The survey findings are being used to help inform NET’s ongoing support for candidates. In addition to the materials already available on the NET website, work is underway on a new free NET Prep app, plus an updated Pre-Assessment Manual and specific guidance for training providers on how best they can support learners on their journey to the assessment.
Carolyn Mason, NET Chief Executive, said:
“The AM2 is an Assessment of Competence and so it’s imperative that the learner is demonstrating that competence in the workplace before they take the assessment.
“NET provides comprehensive guidance on what is expected during the assessment, however we rely on the candidate, training provider and employer making a realistic judgement on the candidate’s ability and completing the AM2 Checklist accurately. If it’s clear that lack of experience or knowledge are likely to be issues, this must be addressed during the training programme and before AM2 is applied for, otherwise the candidate is likely to fail the assessment.
“Whilst training or development of the candidate is not within NET’s remit, we will continue to do what we can to produce official AM2 resources to help candidates prepare once they are ready. We urge training providers and employers to please support your learners by only entering them for the AM2 once they are truly ready.”
NET is also now working on a survey of candidates who passed their assessment first time to gain tips and support for others on how they prepared.
