Electrician pre-trade apprenticeship
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Duration and study methods
Full-time for 1 year (40 teaching weeks)
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Start dates
January, July
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Qualification
New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trades (Level 3)Programme code: NZ4316 -
Credits
121 -
Locations
MIT TechPark
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Domestic fees
$7,700 (approx.)
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International fees
Not available to international students
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Free* study
Explore the free options available for this programme, and check your eligibility:
Programme highlights
Start your career in the electrical trades.
Become an apprentice electrician.
This programme will give you the skills you need to get your first job in this industry. You will gain introductory knowledge that underpins safe electrical installation, testing, commissioning, and servicing of electrical installations and equipment.
It is recommended you complete a minimum of 40 hours of relevant work experience.
When you graduate, you will be able to carry out some electrical work under supervision.
Please note: A small component of this programme is delivered by a sub-contractor.
You may be required to complete literacy and numeracy assessments as part of this programme.
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
Academic
- Candidates must have achieved NCEA (Level 1) with Mathematics and English subjects
Or
- Equivalent knowledge and skills for entry into this programme.
Special & discretionary admission
Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?
Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below nine courses (121 credits):
Workplace skills and safety (15 credits)
Students will apply electrical workplace standards and health and safety practices. They will also achieve/maintain a first aid certificate
DC fundamentals (15 credits)
Students will apply fundamental theory and principles of Direct Current (DC) circuits and systems
AC fundamentals (15 credits)
Students will apply fundamental theory and principles of magnetism and electromagnetism anddemonstrate the safe use of the tools and equipment used in an electrical workplace
Cables, fittings and testing (15 credits)
Students will install, test and fault-find electrical cords, cables, and equipment in accordance with legislation
Supply systems (15 credits)
Students will apply knowledge of the New Zealand electricity supply system and methods used to ensure the protection of users and installations
Protection, plans and circuits (15 credits)
Students will apply knowledge of circuit protection, electrical drawing conventions, switching circuits and lighting
Installations (15 credits)
Students will apply knowledge of cable and wiring systems, damp situations and special installations
Transformers, electrical machines and isolation (15 credits)
Students will apply theories underpinning the operation of transformers, electrical machines, and isolation procedures
Capstone Test (1 credit)
Learners will demonstrate the knowledge of theory and practice for electrical workers in accordance with EWRB final closed-book examination (capstone assessment).
Learners will complete a final closed-book examination (Capstone Assessment) to measure their understanding and competency gained towards the end of the qualification. This examination is set and moderated by the Standard Setting Body (or Workforce Development Council) to prepare trainees for further training and assessments leading to relevant EWRB registration classes.
Note: Achievement of this capstone assessment alone does not entitle trainees to legally perform prescribed electrical work without supervision. Until registered and licensed under the Electricity Act 1992, trainees are assisting, and must work under supervision when carrying out prescribed electrical work.
Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?
Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.
Further training or study
The programme will provide Learners with the theoretical electrical knowledge that will allow them to continue on to higher level learning in the electrical and electronic field, including:
- New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Theory and Practice Trade) (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical, and Electricity Supply, and/or
- Higher-level qualifications in other electrical fields.
Career opportunities
Graduates will be able to enter an electrical apprenticeship as a first-year apprentice.
Graduates may be employed in entry-level positions in trades relevant to the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) registration classes, other electrical fields such as switchgear fitting, electronics, electricity supply industry, manufacturing, electrical wholesaling or retailing.
For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
"Studying a pre-trade course will help with my theory work when I'm doing my apprenticeship and it could cut 1-2 years off of the time it takes me to get qualified. I don't come from an electrical background so I wanted to give myself some background knowledge first.
The more girls that get into a trade the more it's going to become the norm. If you're female looking at getting into a trade check out social media as there are a lot of female sparkies that show you what women can bring to the job. There's a lack of women in the trades industry and they're wanting more women so it's important we show that we can do just as good as a job as a guy can."
Christine Swepson
MIT graduate
MIT TechPark is an award-winning centre of excellence for engineering and trades.
Having won a Learning Environments Australasia Award which recognises planning, design and construction of educational facilities throughout the region, our state-of-the-art campus is the home of our engineering and trades school. Coupling stunning architectural learning spaces with a myriad of high-tech facilities for our students, it's easy to see why it's been given such high praises.
Our TechPark building is situated on the corner of Lambie Drive and Manukau Station Road. It is across the road from the existing MIT Manukau campus, currently home to the schools of nursing, health and counselling, business, and digital technologies.
"Don't expect to come and just study the course come and expect to change your life. This course is here to set you up in the industry, you're here to start you're career and you're here to change and mold and grow with us supporting you along the way. You can definitely expect to come out of this course a different person from how you came in.
There are opportunities for students to work and study or pick up work in the holidays. Our industry connections are really current and they are always knocking on our door asking us to send them students. The course goes hand in hand with the placements we can offer."
Jacob Blackwell
MIT lecturer (electrical)
Ready to put your plans in place?
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training: Free study for up to one year for Levels 3 and 4 may be available under Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), a government-led training initiative to encourage young Māori and Pasifika people to gain trade qualifications. All free study is subject to availability and funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.
Information is correct as at 4 December 2024. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. Where the fees are indicative, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2025 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2025 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2025 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2025 are based on the 2024 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2025. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pūkenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.