About the Qualification

At the completion of your apprenticeship and after sitting the final EWRB exam, you will be awarded the following qualification from the NZQF framework

Qualification Title: New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical, and Electricity Supply.
Qualification Number: 4204
Qualification Status: Current
Version Number: 1
Version Status: Approved
Qualification Type: Certificate | Level 4 | Credits : 250
NZSCED: 031301 Engineering and Related Technologies>Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology>Electrical Engineering
Qualification Developer: Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council
Next Review: 31/12/2025
Quality Assurance Body: New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Next Planned Consistency Review: 2025
Strategic Purpose Statement: The purpose of this qualification is to provide the electrical industry with commercially competent registered electricians who are able to work independently to install, test, commission, and maintain electrical installations and equipment safely; and in accordance with the Electricity Act 1992.

The qualification includes strands to recognise the differences between electricians who work in domestic, commercial and industrial sectors and electricians who work in the electricity supply sector.

The qualification encompasses the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) electrical theory and regulations examination requirements for registration as an electrician. 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.

Graduates will not be able to practice as an electrician until they have met all EWRB registration and licensing requirements.

Graduate Profile: Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Apply knowledge of electrical theory, systems, equipment, machines, and electrical protection in an electrical environment.

Work safely; identify and control hazards; and manage risks in an electrical environment.

Comply with electrical and relevant non-electrical legislation governing the work of electricians.

Develop knowledge of areas where specialist knowledge is required to carry out installation and maintenance of electrical equipment.

Work as a commercially competent registered electrician and communicate with stakeholders on electrical matters.

Graduates of the General Electrical strand will also be able to:

Install, commission, and maintain electrical systems, equipment, and machines within electrical environments.

Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical systems and equipment within electrical environments.

Graduates of the Electricity Supply strand will also be able to:

Install, commission, and maintain electrical services associated with distribution networks, power stations, and substations.

Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical services associated with distribution networks, power stations, and substations.

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, or who have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory [Ref: 2387].

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], the New Zealand Certificate in Process Control and Automation (Level 5) with strands in Process Control, and Process Automation [Ref: 2253], or the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) [Ref: 2612].

Employment/Cultural/Community Pathway: Once registered and licensed, graduates can work as an electrician in a sector(s) of their choice and can supervise other electrical workers up to and including their licence class.
Qualification Specifications: This qualification may be awarded by any Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) with an approved programme of study or industry training. Candidates must pass the EWRB theory and regulations examinations to be awarded this qualification by the TEO to meet EWRB licensing and registration requirements. Details are available from the EWRB at http://www.ewrb.govt.nz.

Evidence requirements for assuring consistency

Evidence may come from:

  • Analysis of survey results from graduates and employers to show that the Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPOs) have been met;
  • Attestations from employers that graduates have met the qualification requirements;
  • Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Minimum standard of achievement and standards for grade endorsements is: Achieved.
Other requirements for the qualification (including regulatory body or legislative requirements): The National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 2) [Ref: 0973] with Mathematics and English subjects; or equivalent knowledge and skills is a prerequisite for entry into programmes leading to this qualification.
General conditions for programme: Programmes must meet EWRB requirements for registration, licensing, Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC), limits of work, supervision, safe working practices, core competencies, common assessment tasks, practical experience and training in the work of an Electrician in New Zealand.

Commercially competent means an individual understands the risks and limitations of work environments; and uses their skills, knowledge, and behaviour to safely perform tasks within industry-accepted quality, expectations and timeframes.

Common assessment tasks refer to assessments undertaken in a supervised environment including EWRB examinations that forms part of the licensing requirements.

Specialist knowledge is required in special electrical situations. Examples of these situations may include but are not limited to: marinas and recreational boats; transportable structures and vehicles including their site supplies (e.g. caravans and caravan parks); high-risk prescribed electrical work according to the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.

 

Credits

Outcome Description Indicative Credits
1 Apply knowledge of electrical theory, systems, equipment, machines, and electrical protection in an electrical environment. 85
2 Work safely; identify and control hazards; and manage risks in an electrical environment. 25
3 Comply with electrical and relevant non-electrical legislation governing the work of electricians. 20
4 Develop knowledge of areas where specialist knowledge is required to carry out installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. 15
5 Work as a commercially competent registered electrician and communicate with stakeholders on electrical matters. 15
Elective Strand – General Electrical
6 Install, commission, and maintain electrical systems, equipment, and machines within electrical environments. 60
7 Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical systems and equipment within electrical environments. 30
Elective Strand – Electricity Supply
8 Install, commission, and maintain electrical services associated with distribution networks, power stations, and substations. 60
9 Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical services associated with distribution networks, power stations, and substations. 30

 

Replacement information

This qualification replaced the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4) (2388).

Version Information

The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is 31 December 2024.

The last date for assessment to take place is 31 December 2027, when it will be discontinued.

It is recommended that candidates enrolled in programmes leading to the replaced New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4) (2388) who are unable to complete by 31 December 2027 transfer their existing achievement to this qualification.

It is the intention of the qualification developer that no existing trainee should be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may appeal to:

Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council
PO Box 445
Wellington 6140

Phone: 04 909 0174
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.waihanga.nz

Republication Information

This qualification was republished in May 2023 to reflect the amended last dates of entry and assessment of the replaced qualification. Please refer to Qualifications and Assessment Standards Approvals for further information.

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