Matching ability with jobs using AMAS: final report

AMAS (Activity Matching Ability System) was developed 20 years ago by Loughborough University and was designed to help young disabled / disadvantaged people to enter the labour market. It is a tool that assesses the ergonomics aspects of jobs (the activities) and the abilities of an individual. The two sets of information are then matched and the results talked through with the individual to see if a good match has been obtained. Early versions of AMAS had a strong manufacturing focus that did not easily lend itself to a varied and developing labour market. The feedback from Employment Service staff, including Occupational Psychologists and Disability Employment Advisers, who used the early version of AMAS was that it was helpful but needed updating

Can the activity matching ability system contribute to employment assessment? An initial discussion of job performance and a survey of work psychologists views

Employment Assessment (EA) is concerned with enabling individuals to predict their performance in job opportunities. Job performance and its analysis are key concerns for organisational psychology, although progress is required to develop their utility for EA client work. The Activity Matching Ability System (AMAS) assesses job activities and individuals' abilities and may contribute to EA. In order to begin to explore this possibility, and whether other significant factors might improve EA, a survey was run in parallel with a sample of Work Psychologist (WP) interviews (n=238). Interviewee characteristics (age, ethnic background, etc.) and WP estimates of impact of disability and probability of obtaining employment indicated a varied group, younger than other samples. WPs found that AMAS would enhance EA for one fifth of the sample. AMAS could contribute by aiding exploration of physical and cognitive factors, by providing a focus for assessment, by reviewing what individuals can do at work and by helping confidence. They considered EA would be improved by developing assessments of interpersonal skills, team working, job specific skills and aptitudes, and work placements. Cross tabulation of the data indicated that WP views were not significantly associated with any of the factors researched