Apprentices are put to the 16th Edition test

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 11, 2002

Robin 16th Edition testers were used in earnest for testing and fault finding in the UK finals of the electrotechnical Modern Apprenticeship competition (eMAc).

Robin 16th Edition testers were used in earnest for testing and fault finding in the UK finals of the electrotechnical Modern Apprenticeship competition (eMAc).

Established by the electrical industry as a showcase for its brightest young talent, eMAc brought 10 of the best apprentices from regional heats to SkillCity 2002 at Salford Quays in Manchester.

Stephen Wilson, of GG Wilson Electrical Services, based in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, was presented with a Robin 1610 digital multifunction tester and a cash prize when the judges named him winner and top young Modern Apprentice electrician 2002.

Two runners up also received Robin installation testers.

The final took place over the space of three working days.

Apprentices made use of industry-leading equipment supplied by Robin, as they had done in the regional heats held across the UK.

Following a presentation on the Wednesday morning, each contestant had to check the materials supplied against the design specifications, then set about building and testing their own installations in fixed working periods up to 5pm on the Friday.

The tests were designed to demonstrate the abilities and skills gained during their time in the Modern Apprenticeship programme.

The competition test piece included circuits for a ring main, lighting and a motor control circuit, all supplied with power via a consumer unit.

All the wiring was contained in plastic conduit and trunking, installed according to the drawings supplied.

Each competitor had to carry out separate inspection and fault-finding tests in fixed time slots during the working day.

Robin KMP 3010DL insulation/continuity testers were used throughout for testing and fault finding in the special tests, and for the apprentices' installations.

The 3010DL is an easy-to-use tester featuring a time-saving continuous operation facility and the ability to safely discharge capacitive circuits following testing.

Manufactured in a built-in carrying case, it is also supplied with Snap-Lok test leads.

eMAc has the objective of promoting Modern Apprenticeships to new entrants across the UK and the career opportunities that are available within the electrical industry.

All Modern Apprentices are employed by companies and receive a wage while undertaking the programme.

On completion they will be recognised by the industry as an electrician and will have gained an NVQ or SVQ at level 3 "Installing and commissioning electrotechnical systems", Key/Core Skills qualifications, and Industry Practical Assessment (AM2 or FICA).

SkillCity is the name of the National Skills Show, a partnership between the Prince's Trust and UK Skills.

It was designed to attract thousands of young people to gain "hands-on" experience of over 50 different skills and to see the massive range of career opportunities open to them.