National Certificate in Plumbing and Gasfitting

By JANINE OGIER

The course

The Apprenticeship Training Trust is a not-for-profit organisation fostering apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industries from Kaitaia to Timaru. Around 300 apprentices are assigned to employers for on-job training.

As well as gaining the work experience with their host employer, apprentices pursue theoretical studies for the National Certificate in Plumbing and Gasfitting for the three to three-and-a-half years. Apprentices combine regular correspondence study through Unitec in Auckland with a series of two-week block courses and night classes at Unitec or Wintec in Hamilton.

It is a level-four NZQA qualification and, once completed, allows people to be registered or licensed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

The trust separately offers apprentices specialist courses covering backflow prevention, a limited electrical licence and occupational health and safety.

Apprentices are paid by the trust throughout their apprenticeship, including annual leave. A starting level plumbing apprentice earns $7.83 per hour, which rises to $8.58, then $9.33, $10.08 and then $10.83 on completion of all requirements for the national certificate.

All applicants are interviewed and the trust seeks people who can show an interest in the plumbing industry, have an ability to work with their hands and to comprehend written standards, are committed to personal learning, have well developed communication skills, good organisational skills, and a "can do" attitude.

Successful applicants are placed as soon as practicable with a host employer in their region. Some apprentices will be placed with several different tradespeople, if needed, to ensure all aspects of training are covered in their apprenticeship.

An individual training plan is drawn up and, during the apprenticeship, the trust and host employers monitor an apprentice's progress.

Assessment for correspondence work is through written assignments while block courses are examined through practical tests and verbal questioning.

Fees are $1200, including GST, for each year of the apprenticeship. Additional costs of $1000 in the first year and $600 in each subsequent year need to be budgeted to cover tools.

What graduates think

Dean Childs, 37

Registered plumber and gasfitter

Charleton Plumbing and Drainage, Manukau

Finished apprenticeship last year


"I was told there was lots of work in Auckland in plumbing but I had no experience with hands-on work and would only move north [from Taranaki] if I had an apprenticeship.

"The Apprentice Training Trust managed the apprenticeship and I was charged out to Charleton Plumbing and Drainage.

"I did the theoretical work as block courses at Unitec, and modules in the mail. Every three months I had to do another module. Module learning was good for me but others found it hard to learn like that, I think because they were younger and had difficulty motivating themselves to buckle down and do the modules at home.

"In general, the theory was relevant to the work we were doing. And, if it wasn't immediately, it soon came up.

"I am reaping the financial rewards now - the hard yards are done and I am rapt - but there were times during the apprenticeship when it was financially difficult. The ATT scheme is a good idea. I didn't have to worry about the block courses or anything - the details were sent to me automatically."

What employers think
Peter Charleton, Manager

Charleton Plumbing and Drainage, Manukau


"It is easier knowing that we are paying the trust direct and they sort out holiday pay and the block courses and whatever. It takes a lot of bookwork away from me.

"There are a lot of flexible things in the scheme. If you don't like the person, you can move them on, or if things tighten up. You can ring and get extra staff at different times. But there is a shortage around New Zealand, so I have never been able to do that.

"The beauty with the trust is the apprentices can get moved around with different employers to experience a broad range of work.

"Some young people think plumbing is all about fixing taps. They don't want to work hard, and give up after a day's digging. The chances are there to make good money if you are prepared to work through the apprenticeship. It is a small sacrifice for a safe, secure and well-rewarded trade that is never going to die."

The qualification

National Certificate in Plumbing and Gasfitting

Apprenticeship Training Trust

Phone: 09 415 0060

Email

Salary: Apprentices start at $7.83/hour; registered plumber $25/hour