Courses in Rigging are under development and will be available sometime in 2024. Please contact us with any interest – 0800 EARN IT or via our contact form.

Rigging

Why become a rigger?

What do riggers do?

Riggers can be seen in large building sites across New Zealand, using complex rigging systems to transport large items into place. It’s a highly skilled job that plays a vital role in making sure buildings and structures are constructed safely and smoothly.

Riggers are responsible for safely setting up and controlling the movement of loads, which are usually suspended, over distance. You will operate a variety of hoisting devices and rigging equipment. It’s a great career choice if you enjoy working at heights.

On any given day you could be:

Preparing and operating an elevated work platform (EWP)
Assessing and preparing the worksite
Using and maintaining rigging hand tools
Setting up and taking down height safety systems
Developing plans to keep people safe when working at height

By the numbers

Length of training

Training to become a rigger takes approximately 3-5 years

Earnings

Annual average earnings in the rigging sector were $61,400 in 2015

This was $5,400 higher than average annual earnings in New Zealand ($56,000)

Source: Careers.govt.nz

Job outlook

The nationwide construction boom means there is a high demand for skilled riggers.

Around 200 new people are needed in the rigging sector by 2020. This equates to 45 people needing to fill construction rigger jobs each year

Source: Infometrics

Industry training

As a rigging trainee, you’ll be working, learning, and earning money at the same time. You’ll work closely with experienced people at your company to learn everything you need to become a qualified rigger.

On-job learning

This is the practical learning side of your training. Someone at your company will teach you the tasks you’ll carry out in your day-to-day work, and you will be assessed on how well you can do these tasks.

Off-job learning

This is the theory learning side of your training, where you’ll be studying different topics throughout your training to support the skills you learn on the job.

Where can I go?

To become a fully qualified rigger, you will first need to find employment with a rigging company that will train you up. You will gain nationally recognised training in rigging. After you get your Level 3 certificate, you can do further study and get qualified to Level 5. This will allow you to do more advanced, specialised rigging jobs, opening up your career opportunities. As you become more experienced, you’ll be able to progress to higher-level roles, such as foreperson or supervisor.

Available Courses

There are some great qualifications that are available in Rigging. Click on the titles below to read more about these qualifications.

New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 3) General - Basic

If you have less than two years’ work experience in rigging* and are interested in a career in rigging, you can do the New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 3). This is the first step on the rigging pathway and covers the basics of rigging.

As a graduate of this programme, you will gain the skills to work as a specialist rigger in various industries. You will be able to prepare and complete rigging work under limited supervision. This includes the ability to safely set up and control the movement of loads over distance (usually suspended), to operate a variety of hoisting devices and rigging equipment, and to work safely at heights.

To enrol in this course, you will need to:

be employed and engaged with work related to Rigging; and
hold a current comprehensive workplace first-aid certificate.
The New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 3) takes approximately a year to complete and is done through block courses, on-the-job learning, and verification.

For more information or to enrol, please contact either:

Tai Poutini Polytechnic on 0800 800 411, or visit www.tpp.ac.nz

Te Pūkenga on 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT) or email at info@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

*if you an experienced rigger, you may want to consider achieving this qualification through the recognition of prior learning. Click here for more information.

New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 4) Intermediate

If you would like to grow your basic rigging skills to an intermediate level, you can do the New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 4). This is the second step in the rigging pathway.

As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to plan, prepare, complete, and lead a team through rigging activities.

Currently, this programme is only available through Recognition of Current Competency. If you are an experienced rigger with at least three years of rigging experience, you may want to check if you meet the eligibility criteria to have your prior learning recognised. Click here for more information.

New Zealand Certificate in Rigging (Level 5) (Advanced)

If you would like to grow your intermediate skills to an advanced level, you can do the New Zealand certificate in Rigging (Level 5). This qualification is the third step in the New Zealand load-lifting rigging qualification pathway.

As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to plan, prepare documentation and control complex rigging tasks.

Currently, this programme is only available through Recognition of Current Competency. If you are an experienced rigger with at least five years of work experience, you may want to check if you meet the eligibility criteria to have your prior learning recognised. Click here for more information.