After AM2: What Happens Next?

The AM2 runs over roughly two and a half days at a NET-approved centre. NET sends the result after the assessment. If you pass, you have the practical assessment the Gold Card needs, and on the apprenticeship standard the AM2S is the practical part of your end-point assessment, which under plan v1.2 also includes an online knowledge test and your employer’s behaviours declaration, each graded pass or fail. If you fail a part, you only redo that part. Keep the certificate safe: the ECS, the JIB and any scheme will ask for it.

Apply for the ECS Gold Card (Installation Electrician) once you have your Level 3 qualification certificate and the AM2. You need a pass in the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental assessment from the last 2 years (£47.50 + VAT), proof of identity and the application fee. The card lasts 3 years, so note the expiry date.

If your employer follows JIB terms, you can now be graded Electrician, paid at least £18.38 an hour from January 2026 (National, transport provided). Approved Electrician (£20.08) needs further qualifications, such as the C&G 2391 inspection and testing qualification, and post-qualification experience. Technician (£22.70) needs a Level 4 qualification and years as an Approved Electrician. Ask your employer or the JIB how to apply for grading.

You have three realistic options: (1) Stay at your current firm at the new pay rate. Typical for the first 2-3 years post-AM2 — gives you site experience, supervised work, and benefits. (2) Move to a different firm at a higher rate. Worth doing if your current employer won’t increase your pay to JIB levels. (3) Go self-employed. Best after 5+ years of post-AM2 experience. See our Employee vs Self-Employed guide for the detailed decision framework.

You only need a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA and others) if you will take on and certify your own domestic work. Membership lets you self-certify notifiable work under Part P; without it, each notifiable job goes to building control. Schemes assess your work and paperwork before accepting you, so many newly qualified electricians wait until they have run jobs of their own.

Months 1-3: ECS Gold Card application + JIB grading + first jobs at the new rate. Months 4-6: settle into your new role; build a personal portfolio of work for any future scheme application or self-employed move. Months 7-9: identify gaps (specialist qualifications: 2391 Inspection & Testing, EV charger installer, solar PV installer, etc.). Months 10-12: decide your 3-year career direction — site supervisor, estimator, specialist contractor, self-employed.

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