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Electrical

Electricians love working with their hands, solving problems, and pulling things apart. If this sounds like a great way to spend your working day, you could have a bright future as an electrician.

Find out more about what electricians do, and where your career can take you.

Why become an electrician?

Start your career with no student loan

Earn a wage from day one, and finish your apprenticeship without a massive loan hanging over your head!

Work that suits your lifestyle

Work outdoors instead of being stuck in the same office all day. As your career grows, you’ll have more freedom and flexibility in your schedule to fit in more time for the things that matter, such as family, hobbies, and interests.

A variety of experiences

No two days are the same! You’ll get the chance to work on a wide range of jobs throughout your career.

What do electricians do?

You could be in Christchurch helping with the rebuild, wiring multi-million dollar houses in Auckland, or spending the summer at Scott Base in Antarctica. The options are endless – wherever there is a light bulb, an electrician is in demand.

You could be working inside, outside, on top of a skyscraper, or in places you never thought existed. You could be building or repairing people’s homes, businesses, factories, and even power stations.

On any given day you could be:

  • Sorting out the electrics on a super yacht
  • Working with wind turbines or solar panels
  • Wiring up a sky scraper
  • Doing repairs at a powerstation
  • Helping nan with a broken electrical socket
  • Doing maintenance at a bakery

Electrical specialities

In the electrical industry there are two fields, or specialties, you can work in: Domestic/Commercial or Industrial.

Domestic/Commercial electricians

Domestic/Commercial electricians will spend most of their time designing the electrical work, wiring up buildings, and doing electrical maintenance. This could be helping people with their homes or working on completely new construction sites.

Industrial electricians

Industrial electricians are usually found in manufacturing plants or factories working with specialist equipment like motors and robotics.

When you sign up for your apprenticeship, you can choose between either of these specialties. Your apprenticeship is tailored to be more specific to the one you choose. If your supervisor does work that covers both specialties, no problem – you can sign up to do it all.

Where can I go?

Once you complete your apprenticeship and get a practising licence, you’ll be able to work independently anywhere in New Zealand. You’ll even be able to supervise others, passing on your knowledge and skills to apprentices. As your experience grows, you’ll have the opportunity to move up to higher-level roles such as project manager or supervisor.

Many electricians go on to start their own business, increasing both their freedom and income. Others move into roles in the wider industry, such as consulting or teaching. Your electrical qualification is also recognised in other countries, so you can take your trade around the world.

Apprenticeship

All electricians start at the beginning – with an apprenticeship. During your apprenticeship you’ll learn the skills you need to become a fully qualified electrician.

Find out more about how your apprenticeship is structured, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

Upcoming intakes

Intakes are now open for the below courses. If you are interested in signing up, please click the enquire button below to email the relevant EarnLearn Regional Manager.

Location
Delivery mode
Year(s)
Start date
Enquire
Whangārei (NorthTec) Weekly one-day course* Year 1, 2 & 3 June 2023 Email Brad
North Shore Night class* Year 1 Mid-April 2023 Email Brad
Manukau (MIT) Night class* Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Brad
Manukau (MIT) Fortnightly one-day course* Year 1 July 2023 Email Brad
Mt Albert (Unitec) Fortnightly one-day course* Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Brad
Hamilton (Wintec) Night class + block course Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Justin
New Plymouth (WITT) Night class + one-week block course Year 1 July 2023 Email Justin
Tauranga/Rotorua (Toi Ohomai) Night class + block course Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Justin
Napier (EIT) Night class + block course Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Justin
Palmerston North (UCOL) Night class + one-week block course Year 1 June 2023 Email Justin
Wellington (Weltec) Night class + block course Year 1, 2 & 3 July 2023 Email Justin
Christchurch (Ara) Night class + one-week block course Year 1, Year 3 July 2023 Email Stan
Christchurch (SIT) Night class + three-day block course Year 1, Year 3 July 2023 Email Stan
Timaru (Ara) Fortnightly one-day course Year 1, Year 3 July 2023 Email Stan
Dunedin (Otago Polytechnic) Night class + two-week block course Year 1, Year 3 July 2023 Email Stan
Invercargill (SIT) Fortnightly one-day course* Year 1, Year 3 June 2023 Email Stan

 * no block course required

 ** currently online due to temporary EIT campus closure

How to get started

Find an employer

The first step of the process is to find an employer. If you’re already working in the electrical industry you can approach your employer. If you are looking to begin your electrical journey, you can contact prospective employers directly.

Choose a training provider

In the meantime, have a look around for a training provider that suits you. This is where you’ll do your off-job learning. You’ll need to let your Te Pūkenga Account Manager know which provider you want to go with when you sign up.

Sign up

Once you and your employer are ready to get started, you should give us a call on 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT). There’s a couple of forms you’ll need to fill out together, so we’ll send these to you. Once we’ve received and processed your documents, an Account Manager will get in touch with you or your employer. They’ll run through an induction so you can kick off your training on the right foot.

Additional Courses

Please note: Te Pūkenga makes every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate and up-to-date. However the information given, including fees information and the availability and structure of courses, are regularly reviewed and no warranty or representation is given about the ongoing accuracy of such information. All fees may change without notice. Te Pūkenga does not accept liability for any losses or damage that happen directly or indirectly from you relying on the information on this website.

If you’re interested in joining the electrotechnology industry, doing a New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) is the first step in your journey. This qualification gives you the foundations of electrotechnology and depending on which strand you choose, on completion you’ll be able to either:

  • install and maintain networks and systems OR
  • service and repair a diverse range of end-user appliances and equipment

The New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) will take approximately 9 months to complete full time, or 12 – 18 months part time.

To enter this programme you will need to hold NCEA Level 1:

  • 10 credits in Mathematics; and
  • 10 credits in English; and
  • 14 credits in General Science or Physics
  • Or equivalent qualifications or experience.

The current price of this course is $3,600 (price includes GST) for NZ citizens and permanent residents.

Keen to get into the Electronic Security industry? Then the New Zealand Certificate in Electronic Security (Level 4) is a must. With this qualification you’ll be able to design and install electronic security solutions for customers. The programme has two optional strands: Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (Endorsed), and Electrical Installer.

To register your interest and to receive updates, email info@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

If you’re looking to get ahead in the electrical or electronic service industry this course will enable you to work independently as a technician undertaking complex work, as well as supervise electrical workers.

You will also be eligible to be registered and licensed as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) (EAS endorsed) or as an Electrical Service Technical (EST).

This programme is currently under development and will be available in the second half of 2019.

However, you can begin your journey today by enrolling in the New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) which forms the first part of the programme.

The duration of the course and pricing will be finalised at the launch of the programme.

To register your interest and to receive updates, email info@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

Looking to build a career in the electronic engineering industry? This course will give you the skills to become a specialised electronic technician. You’ll be able to apply skills and knowledge to complex analysis, configuration, and repair of systems and circuits to a component level within their specialist field.

You will be able to supervise electronic workers and will also be eligible to be registered and licensed as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) (EAS endorsed) or as an Electrical Service Technician (EST) (depending on options selected).

This programme is currently under development. However, you can begin your journey today by enrolling in the New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) which forms the first part of the programme.

The duration of the course and pricing will be finalised at the launch of the programme.

To register your interest and to receive updates, email info@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

Interested in the communication technology service industry? This qualification will give you the ability to install, maintain and repair cabling, equipment and devices for specialist distribution systems and services in residential or commercial; fixed, mobile or re-locatable end-user premises. You’ll be able to operate independently as a technician at an advanced level for installations across a broad range of situations. This qualification includes four strands that allows you to specialise further.

You’ll also be eligible to be registered and licensed as an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (endorsed to disconnect and connect) (EAS endorsed) or as an Electrical Service Technical (EST) and will be able to supervise electrical workers.

This programme is currently under development.

To get started today, you can enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) now, as this forms the first part of the programme.

The duration of the course and pricing will be finalised at the launch of the programme.

To register your interest and to receive updates, email info@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

Like the idea of working in the electrical industry and prefer to work in one location? Switchgear fitting could be for you.

Switchgear fitters design and build electrical equipment called switchboards, which are used in factories and plants around the country. These switchboards are used to take a big supply of electricity and split it up into smaller, more useable streams.

Some switchgear fitters choose to do the ‘installer strand’ when completing their qualification, which lets them install the switchboards on job sites. This means they could be traveling around New Zealand visiting manufacturing plants or other industrial buildings.

The New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Switchgear Fitting) (Level 4) will take approximately three and a half years to complete.

To enter this programme we recommend you hold:

  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and Physics, OR
  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and General Science, OR
  • have equivalent qualifications or relevant experience
You will need to be employed by a switchboard builder that agrees to train you as an apprentice before you sign up.

The current price of this course is $42 (including GST) per week until you finish your qualification.

Expensive, complex equipment needs specialists to look after maintenance and repair, and that’s where motor rewinders come in. You’ll be trained to repair and maintain equipment used in a variety of places, like superyachts to hotels and other commercial buildings. If you choose to do the optional Electrical Service Technician strand you’ll be able to apply to the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) for registration once you’ve finished, which gives you a wider career path.

The new Apprenticeship for Motor Rewinding, which leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) is now available.

There are two programme options available, which include both on-job and theory learning components. These are:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) (Level 4) – duration 19 months
  • New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) (Level 4), with optional strand in Electrical Service Technician (EST) – duration 23 months

To enter this apprenticeship we recommend you hold:

  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and Physics, OR
  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and General Science, OR
  • have equivalent qualifications or relevant experience

You will need to be employed by a motor rewinder (or other business that undertakes motor rewinding work) that agrees to train you as an apprentice before you sign up.

The current price of this course is $42 (including GST) per week until you finish your qualification.

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