To become an electrician you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4).
The Electrical Training Company (ETCO) and Te Pūkenga oversee electrical apprenticeships.
If you need NCEA credits to meet the academic criteria for the Level 4 certificate, ETCO offers a foundation programme.
You also need to be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board.
Most employers also prefer you to:
- have a driver's licence
- have access to a car to get to worksites
- pass a drug test.
High-voltage power training
Grid Skills (part of Transpower) trains people to work with high-voltage power, for example, in substations.
This training takes up to two years and can be done by apprentices or qualified electricians.