Electrical Apprenticeships in NZ (Part 2): Company Contract Only

Weighing up your options when starting an electrical apprenticeship is important. This is just one route you can take to doing an Electrical Apprenticeship. 

If you haven’t read the basics yet, check out Electrical Apprenticeships in NZ: The Basics (Start Here).

Disclaimer:This is from my own experience only, please seek official advice from an apprenticeship body.

Step 1: Can you afford to be an Apprentice for the next Four Years?

It takes four years to train as an Electrician. You’ll be attending school for a minimum of three years, and then it’s national exams after that – which most people fail on their first attempt. You’ll need to really consider if you can afford to start an apprenticeship. Yes, you can drop out at anytime, but unlike pre-trade, you won’t be testing the waters until you jump in.

Step 2: Finding a Company Contract & On-Job Learning

You’ll have to find a company who will take you on as an apprentice for the next four years. You’ll be in full control of negotiating your contract and pay. Things that you’ll be responsible for include:

• Securing an Apprenticeship Contract: Make sure that you’re specifically offered a contract, otherwise you can’t register for an Apprentice Licence with EWRB.
• Getting a Trainee Limited Certificate: This is an EWRB licence that lets you practise electrical legally in NZ, under supervision. You cannot get this if you do not have an apprenticeship contract. You have to apply for it on your own.
• Pay: Make sure that you know the difference between minimum and training wage.
• Holiday and sick leave: Some companies will try and lowball you. You are entitled to accumulating holiday pay as an employee of a company.
• Ensuring that you’ll be working with a registered Tradesperson: Not just a Trade Assistant (unqualified worker) or a senior apprentice.
• Making sure that your on-job paper work is signed off: You’ll have enough work exposer to get your paperwork signed off during the next four years.

For help on trying to find a job and what to look for, check out my article, Applying for Apprenticeships: Step-by-Step.

Yes, you can change companies and supervisors if you no longer want to work for them. This does not restart your apprenticeship. You just need to re-sign your EWRB Supervisor Declaration Form for your licence.

Step 3: Finding a Training Provider Contract (ETCO/Skills/Te Pukenga) & Off-Job Learning.

You’ll have to sign on with a Training Provider to ensure that your night school and off-job learning is completed. Usually companies have a preferred night school provider (most being Skills/ETCO) but you can go out and choose. 

You will have to:

• Attend Yearly Block Courses: This a course that lasts for a week. Some employers will pay you to go, some will require you to take holiday pay.
• Pay weekly fees to your education provider for all four years: Yes even if you finish night school, they are still marking your on-jobs. So finish as fast as you can.
• Attend Night School for Three Years: Class is either once a week at night, or once every fortnight during the day. Your employer decides when you attend.

I averaged out my night school fees to be around $3,500 NZD per year. I was signed on with Skills (later merged with ETCO). Yes, it’s expensive, but much cheaper than the combined $35,000 NZD for my two four-year conjoint Bachelor Degrees.

In my case, I would not owe money if I chose quit my apprenticeship. (If you don’t pay your due fees then yes, you owe them money) Payments are usually done on a weekly basis. The amount is subject to yearly change. Please contact your co-ordinator for advice.

No, usually you cannot change providers once you start. Many organisations will not recognise your prior experience. If you’re lucky, you may get to do extra classes to cross credit to another program. Usually you may start all over again. Please contact your co-ordinator for advice.

Intakes are generally twice a year, and yes, they may forget to enrol you. Generally this is around February and June. So please keep up-to-date with your paperwork, and communicate with your assigned Training Co-ordinator. Make that phone call.

I almost missed the first night class intake in my first year. The admin person forgot to enrol me. Yes. They forgot. I had to call them multiple times. Please keep on top of your paperwork. 

You’re at the end…

A lot of apprentices I know personally who have taken this route have been able to take full control over their apprenticeship. Handling contracts may be scary, but there is a lot of information out there to help you navigate your way around employment.