National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 2)

Recent engineering graduate Michael Hedge is an apprentice electrician. Picture / Amos Chapple

The course

Skilled electrical workers are an essential part of the construction industry, yet is another trade thin on the ground in New Zealand.

Through the Open Polytechnic, a specialist distance education provider, wannabe electricians can gain the theory required to become a qualified tradesperson without having to leave their home town to attend courses.

The Level Two National Certificate in Electrical Engineering is a pre-requisite for any person wishing to enter the electrical industry and is the first stage of qualification for electricians, motor rewinding, industrial measurement and control, and electronic security. People can also test their interest in electrical work with this course before signing up for an apprenticeship.

There are 15 unit standards, covering topics such as electrical test instruments and measurements, selection and installation of flexible cords and knowledge of simple electrical diagrams.

Soldering and de-soldering procedures are also taught, along with knowledge of electrical safe working practices.

Trainees attend one five-day block course to complete practical work components; the rest is done at home. Students are expected to study approximately 10 hours per credit, which vary among topics.

For example, manual soldering and de-soldering procedures is worth two credits, while drawing and explaining simple electrical diagrams is worth three.

Entry is open, but applicants are advised to have NCEA Level One unit standards in English, maths and science/physics. Some form of post-secondary school study or training or industry experience is an acceptable alternative.

Apprentices continue onto Level Three and Four in electrical engineering certificate study once they formally enter an apprenticeship. To become a registered electrician you need to pass the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 4) and the electrical regulations exam.

There are no limits on numbers accepted into the course and students can enrol any time during the year. However, they must complete the course within 12 months. The course costs $870.

What employees think

Michael Hedge, 19
Apprentice for King Electrical, Tirau

I decided to be an electrician because it was a practical job I could take around the world. I like the thinking involved in working with circuitries and making things go, and I knew I didn't want to be in an office.

Doing the Open Polytechnic course and an apprenticeship is a good combination because I can earn as I go, so I don't have to pay out money for a full time course.

The theory is easier to learn this way too because I can compare things at work that I'm doing on paper at home.

The only problem really is finding the time to do it. It is not the first thing that pops into your head when I get home from work. Duncan (tutor) has to ring me and give me a hurry up every now and then.

Doing the Level Two course means you learn at the beginning to be as safe as you can. It starts with the basics of making sure something is "dead" before you start working with it and learning tests to see if it is "live" or "dead".

What employers think

Terry Cole
King Electrical, Tirau

We work in a rural area covering anything from wiring up cow sheds to wiring new houses, so there is huge variety in our jobs.

The end goal for Michael is to become a tradesman and part-and-parcel of that is learning the theory behind the job. This is what the first and second year of the study covers. With the Open Polytechnic course, Michael gets the chance to put theory into practice as he goes.

We don't have night class options in a rural area like ours so the course means Michael can study the theory. I got my trade by going through Open Polytechnic 15 years ago for the same reason (no night classes) and it worked for me.

The only thing you have to watch is making timeto do the study which isn't always easy for a young guy.

His tutor is on the ball too. Michael always feels he can ring and ask questions and Duncan rings Michael if anything is wrong with work sent in. He gives excellent feedback.

Qualification

National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 2)
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand (TOPNZ)
Freephone 0508 650 200

Hourly rates guide for electrician apprentices: Average for Level 2, $10.35; Level 3, $11.84; level 4, $14.48.

Hourly rates guide for a registered electrician: $22 to $30. (Rates can be higher in main centres).