News
NET issues AM2 checklist reminder
NATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL TRAINING (NET) has issued a reminder to all electrical employers and training providers that the Candidate Self Assessment Checklist for the AM2 Assessment is now a mandatory requirement for all AM2 candidate bookings. Since 9 April, any candidate taking their
fi nal practical assessment needs to provide their assessor with the signed Candidate Self Assessment Checklist. This acts as proof that both their employer and training provider have reviewed their knowledge and competencies against the checklist document, to verify that all parties feel that the individual is fi t and ready to undertake the assessment.
Stephen Plant, NET business development
director, said: ‘We want to ensure employers and training providers are aware of this requirement, which was announced at
the end of last year. All candidates coming through the apprenticeship or NVQ training system must provide a signed checklist, and AM2 assessors have been advised not to assess any trainee attending without this documentation.’
The checklist covers almost 50 different aspects of the electrical installation Level 3 qualifi cation, including safe isolation and risk assessment, inspection and testing, fault diagnosis and application and knowledge. Plant added: ‘This simple exercise means that the candidate, training provider and employer have all refl ected on whether the time is right for the fi nal assessment. It is a tool to identify if there are any knowledge and competence defi ciencies before the assessment rather than after.’ The checklist is available from
www.netservices.org.uk
JIB strikes ECS card deal with National Skills Academy
ECS CARDHOLDERS WHO train with the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies can now have their cards endorsed with their renewables skills, following a partnership agreement between the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and the National Skills Academy. Under the arrangement,
gold card holders will be able to show their card to prove they have the base electrical competence to undertake up-skilling in technologies such as solar photovoltaics. Once the course has been successfully completed, their card can be endorsed with the new qualifi cations and the Skills Academy logo. Steve Brawley, chief executive of the JIB, said: ‘Gaining the right skills in environmental technologies
12 ECA Today May 2012
is absolutely vital if electrical contractors are to take full advantage of the low carbon market.’
He added: ‘There is no room for sub-standard workmanship in this fast- growing area, so we are delighted to be joining forces with the National Skills Academy in order to promote competence and encourage ECS card holders to gain industry-recognised skills in renewables.’
‘We know that ECS gold card holders are already fully competent and can upskill in environmental technologies very quickly in order to seize new business opportunities,’ said Cathryn Hickey, executive director of the National Skills Academy. ‘Clients and consumers who see the Skills Academy logo on the ECS gold card can be assured that this represents both quality and skills in the cardholder.’
Cathryn Hickey and Steve Brawley
In brief
A new Introduction to Power Factor Correction Guide has been produced by the BCMA and the ECA, providing fundamental principles and key selection criteria when considering the installation of power factor correction equipment. To view the publications and for more information, contact BCMA via
www.beama.org.uk or call 020 7793 3000.
A myriad of hurdles must yet be overcome before a charging infrastructure can be established to truly support the widespread uptake of electric vehicles in Europe, according to a new report by IMS Research. It forecasts that there will be an installed base of 12.5 million public and private charging stations across Europe by 2019, with 23 per cent in Germany and 17 per cent in the UK.
Cablofi l is helping to provide world-class facilities in the Aston area of Birmingham as part of the £270m MyPlace scheme. MITIE’s team in Tamworth has carried out the electrical installation at MyPlace Aston for Birmingham City Council, using Cablofi l steel wire tray as the cable management system for all the lighting, small power, data and extra low voltage cabling for the alarm and access systems.
The government has released new-look energy performance certifi cates that it says will provide prospective homeowners ‘better and clearer advice on making their new homes more eco-friendly’.
Emperor cable cleats from Ellis will be installed in the fi rst fi ve of the Ministry of Defence’s new generation of Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines after BAE Systems confi rmed a repeat specifi cation for the fi fth boat in the fl eet.
Legrand has published a new Swifts cable ladder guide aimed
at ensuring contractors and specifi ers are able to make the most informed choice every time they need to order and install a ladder. The 144-page publication features all relevant product information, including a recently added ceiling support system, plus in-depth technical advice on the product, its installation and best specifi cation practice. To order a copy visit
www.legrand.co.uk
A new poll commissioned by the Epwin Group and conducted at Ecobuild has revealed that small construction companies, building product manufacturers and suppliers do not understand and have failed to get to grips with the workings of the Green Deal. When asked to rank their 'preparedness' on a sliding scale of one to fi ve, one being least prepared, 84 per cent of businesses employing 50 people or fewer admitted to a low level of readiness ahead of the scheme's launch in October.
Seaward Solar has expanded its range of specialist test equipment for solar PV installation work with a new kit that provides the complete solution to MCS electrical testing needs. The MCS Test Kit enables all installers to meet the electrical test requirements of MCS and BS EN 62446.
A new guide, providing an overview of how various environmental technologies work and their suitability for different applications, has been published by the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies. Introduction to Environmental Technology Systems acts as resource material for those studying the Level 3 QCF Award in the Fundamental Principles of Environmental Technology Systems, available through the Skills Academy, but it can also be purchased as a standalone document.
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