Engineering and Related Technologies » Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology » Electrical Engineering 

Education Pathways 

This qualification provides one of two entry options to the electrical industry and is intended for candidates who have an electrical apprenticeship agreement.  

This qualification can build on the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3) [Ref: 2387], which is not a pre-requisite for this qualification. Credits gained from the lower level qualification will contribute to this qualification. 
 
On completion of this qualification graduates may progress to higher level qualifications within the electrical industry such as the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 5) [Ref: 2384], or the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering [Ref: 112950]. Graduates may also progress to degree level programmes. 
 
Electricity supply electricians who have graduated from this qualification may also progress to the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Power Technician) (Level 5) with an optional strand in Generation and Sustainable Energy [Ref: 1260] or its replacement. 

Entry Requirements  

Candidates must have achieved the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 2) or equivalent qualifications before starting the qualification. 

Etco may be able to help you transition into an apprenticeship without the Level 2 subjects – we are happy to discuss this with you. 

All TEOs offering this qualification (either arranging training or delivering programmes) must engage with all the arrangements for managing consistency as stated below. The process will be funded by TEOs offering programmes leading to the qualification, to cover actual and reasonable evaluation related costs.  

To meet the requirements of the qualification outcomes the requirements of the specified Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met. Details of the Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration are available from the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) website. Candidates will be required to complete a final common assessment to be undertaken in an invigilated environment. The final common assessment task will include any examination that forms part of the licensing requirements of the EWRB. Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council will notify TEOs annually of the timing and methodology of the common assessment after consultation with the EWRB.  

TEOs are to seek feedback from the Electrotechnology industry regarding their graduates meeting the qualification graduate profile outcomes. This will occur through:  

• Regular monitoring of trainee progression within either the TEO or the workplace including liaising with employers, teaching staff, training supervisors, and industry managers about the value of the training, graduates, and qualification, to the business. - Feedback from major employers' associations, such as Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (ECANZ), Electro-Technical Association (ETA), Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand (SEANZ), Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) and the Electricity Networks Association (ENA) to ensure their members involved in the Electrotechnology industry are satisfied with the qualification graduates.  

• Regular cross-industry meetings (Industry Advisory Groups) where the changing training needs of the industry can be discussed in light of technology changes, workplace practices, and graduate capabilities.  

• Independent surveys of graduates and employers to determine if the graduates are appropriate for the workplace.  

• Monitoring of results of common assessment task. - 

Providing an alignment matrix of programme outcomes or unit standards against the qualification outcomes.  

All feedback and results will be presented and made available when a managing consistency event is conducted.  

The purpose of this managing consistency event is to:  

• review evidence associated with achievement of qualification outcomes  

• identify issues or opportunities associated with outcome achievement.  

Following the event a report to TEOs on their programme consistency with qualification outcomes and any recommendations for maintaining currency of industry context will be provided.  

It is also anticipated that where unit standards have been used throughout a programme of learning, moderation of assessment will occur in accordance with CMR  0003. 

Programmes leading to the award of this qualification must incorporate the applicable minimum standards for registration as an electrician along with the requirements of the Supervision Procedures for Trainees as published by the EWRB. Candidates who are working towards this qualification must hold a TLC issued by the EWRB. Details of both the Supervision Procedures for Trainees and the TLC are available from the EWRB website at:http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/.  

The common assessment task described under Evidence requirements for assuring consistency will include any examination that forms part of the licensing requirements of the EWRB. Therefore, graduates may use this New Zealand Certificate as evidence of having met the minimum applicable standards when applying to the EWRB for registration under the Electricity Act 1992.  

TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must maintain currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation, regulations, government departments, and Australia/New Zealand Standards. Programmes must reflect industry best practice, including commercial competence, and currency with regard to legislation and regulations. Programmes must be of sufficient duration to allow the graduate to attain commercial competence, which will normally require approximately 7000 hours workplace experience.  

Programmes will include:  

• Broad operational knowledge of the electrical industry  

• Safety requirements and regulations relating to the electrical industry  

• Applied knowledge to install, maintain, and repair electrical equipment in the context of the chosen speciality.  

Candidates must hold a current First Aid certificate before they can be awarded this qualification. For detailed information on these and recommended unit standards visit www.skills.org.nz/resources-for-training-providers/.  

Credit gained for an outcome or a standard may be used only once to meet the requirements of this qualification.  

Definition  

• Commercial competence - the application of practical activities that must be satisfactorily demonstrated within a timeframe within which a competent person at this level could reasonably be expected to perform the task, and reliably achieve the accepted industry practice outcomes with regard to quality, safety, and commercial viability under the required range of workplace conditions. 

Outcome 

Indicative Credits 

Conditions 

1. Install, commission, and maintain electrical systems and equipment, including electrical protection 

130 credits 

To meet the requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met:  

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 50, 51, 53, 55. 

2 Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical systems and equipment 

28 credits 

To meet the requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met:  

26, 30, 54. 

3 Monitor and maintain safe working; procedures, practices, and environment, and identify and control hazards in the workplace 

12 credits 

To meet the requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met:  

2, 10, 31, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48. 

4 Apply electrical and relevant non-electrical legislation governing the work of electricians 

22 credits 

To meet the requirements of this outcome the requirements of the relevant capabilities of the section entitled Areas of additional coverage located in the Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met. Details of these capabilities are available from the EWRB website at: www.ewrb.govt.nz. Also, the following unit standards are mandatory to meet the EWRB Electrical Licensing requirements:  

• 1702 

• 21766 

• 27352  

There are additional optional unit standards covering relevant non-electrical legislation:  

• 15860 

5 Install and maintain electrical machines and control systems 

32 credits 

To meet the requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met:  

12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 52. 

6 Install and maintain electrical equipment in special electrical situations 

15 credits 

To meet the minimum requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met:  

25, 28, 29, and the relevant capabilities of the section entitled Areas of additional coverage located in the Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met.  

Details of these capabilities are available from the EWRB website at: www.ewrb.govt.nz. 

7 Work ethically and professionally within the electrical industry, as a commercially competent registered electrician, including maintaining current competency and communicating with stakeholders on electrical and related matters 

11 credits 

To meet the minimum requirements of this outcome the requirements of the following EWRB Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration must be met: 49.