New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3)
If you want to become an electrician, this is the ideal pre-apprenticeship preparation. It will give you the knowledge and basic practical skills you need to enter the profession as a first-year apprentice.
Domestic
About the programme
Want to become an electrician or enter other non-registration areas of the electrical industry?
With awesome workshop facilities, hands-on learning and highly experienced lecturers with strong industry connections, this programme is the ideal preparation for your apprenticeship.
It will give you the knowledge and skills to enter the industry as a first-year apprentice or it can help you start your career in non-registration areas such as electronic security, appliance servicing and automation. There is the chance for progression and promotion in these areas with further study and/or industry exams.
When you finish, you could enter an apprenticeship agreement with us and an employer so you can complete the Level 4 apprenticeship programme. This will give you the skills you need to work independently as an electrician.
Are you a Māori or Pasifika person aged 16-40?
We also offer a free version of this programme called He Toki.
He Toki supports whānau to gain skills and qualifications, connect with iwi and explore industry opportunities, with the goal of securing wealth-enriching futures for Māori and Pasifika.
With He Toki, you'll be supported to gain a New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3) via a unique and empowering learning experience that has te reo, tikaka and mentorship at the heart of everything.
International
About the programme
Want to become an electrician or enter other non-registration areas of the electrical industry?
With awesome workshop facilities, hands-on learning and highly experienced lecturers with strong industry connections, this programme is the ideal preparation for your apprenticeship.
It will give you the knowledge and skills to enter the industry as a first-year apprentice or it can help you start your career in non-registration areas such as electronic security, appliance servicing and automation. There is the chance for progression and promotion in these areas with further study and/or industry exams.
When you finish, you could enter an apprenticeship agreement with us and an employer so you can complete the Level 4 apprenticeship programme. This will give you the skills you need to work independently as an electrician.
Are you a Māori or Pasifika person aged 16-40?
We also offer a free version of this programme called He Toki.
He Toki supports whānau to gain skills and qualifications, connect with iwi and explore industry opportunities, with the goal of securing wealth-enriching futures for Māori and Pasifika.
With He Toki, you'll be supported to gain a New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3) via a unique and empowering learning experience that has te reo, tikaka and mentorship at the heart of everything.
What You Study
Courses
This programme of study has been developed in direct response to feedback from the electrical engineering industry and community. So, you know you’re being taught the most up-to-date knowledge and in demand skills.
You’ll need to study all of the courses listed below to successfully complete this programme. Graduates will be able to apply their skills under supervision by a licenced electrical worker, in accordance with the Electricity Act 1992 (and any subsequent amendments).
| Course name | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Workplace Practices | Learn how to keep yourself and others safe by identifying workplace hazards and managing them. Achieve your first aid certificate and gain the skills to practice with professionalism in an electrical context. | 15 |
| DC Fundamentals | Learn and apply important theories and principles of Direct Current (DC) circuits and systems. Discover the formulas, language, ideas and techniques required to build an electrical career, while undertaking practical training to apply these in real life. | 15 |
| AC Fundamentals | Understand the principles of magnetism and electromagnetism in Alternating Current (AC) theory and learn how to apply them in an electrical workplace, including the safe use of tools and equipment. | 15 |
| Cables, Fittings and Testing | Learn how to install, test and diagnose problems with electrical cords, cables, and equipment. You’ll gain understanding of a wide variety of electrical fittings and their applications, and the legal requirements for testing them safely. | 15 |
| Supply Systems | Build your knowledge of the New Zealand electricity supply system and learn how to work safely in high-voltage environments. Understand and apply the methods used to ensure the protection of users and installers. | 15 |
| Protection, Plans and Circuits | Learn how to design and construct power-switching circuits, use electrical drawing conventions to communicate your designs, and apply the principles and installation requirements of lighting systems. | 15 |
| Electrical Installations | Develop and apply your knowledge of cable and wiring systems commonly used in the electrical trade, including in damp situations. | 15 |
| Electrical Machines, Transformers and Isolation | Learn the key theories underpinning the operation of transformers, electrical machines, and isolation procedures, and how to apply them in real-life situations. | 15 |
| Final Capstone Test | Complete a final examination to demonstrate your knowledge of the theories and practices of electrical work in order to continue on your journey towards an electrical career. | 1 |
Further study options
When you finish this programme, you could enter an apprenticeship agreement with us and an employer so you can complete our Level 4 apprenticeship programme. This is called the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4).
Alternatively, you could seek out higher-level qualifications in other electrical fields.
Workload
Your workload
You’ll need to complete 24 hours of face-to-face teaching time at the Polytechnic, up to 8 hours of additional self-directed study per week and 8 hours of work experience. Usual timetable hours are Monday to Wednesday, 8.20am - 3.00pm.
We are introducing a fourth intake for this programme for 2025. The timetabled hours for this class will be Wednesday to Friday, 8.20am - 3.00pm.
You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, tutorials, online learning, practical workshops and teamwork.
Entry
Entry requirements
General admission
- You’ll need to be at least 16 on the day that your programme starts (or give us a completed Early Release Exemption Form).
- You’ll also need to meet or exceed the following academic requirements:
- NCEA Level 1 with Mathematics and English, or
- have equivalent knowledge and skills.
Special admission
You must:
- be 20, on or before the day that your programme starts, and
- provide sufficient evidence of your aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience to indicate that you can successfully complete this programme.
Discretionary admission
In exceptional cases, if you do not meet the general admission requirements and haven’t reached the age of 20 on the first day of your programme, you can apply for discretionary admission. When we assess whether to grant discretionary admission, our primary focus will be whether we feel you are prepared for study at the required level.
English Language Requirements
You must provide evidence that you have English Language proficiency equivalent to NCEA Level 1 English.
Domestic applicants
If English, Māori or New Zealand Sign is not your first language and you can’t provide evidence of the above, you’ll need to provide evidence using an equivalent described in the NZQA Rules.
International applicants
- You must provide evidence that you have the necessary English language proficiency required for this programme using an equivalent described in the NZQA Rules.
- General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5.
Selection
Criteria
When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, we’ll use the following selection criteria:
- if you have high levels of achievement in NCEA Level 1 English, Maths, and Physics or General Science, you’ll be a preferred candidate for entry
- if you have a lower level of achievement in NCEA Level 1 English, Maths, and Physics or General Science, we may work with you to identify any extra support you might need to enter the programme.
Process
Staff members will select applicants based on the information supplied during the application process. Sometimes, further information may be needed from an applicant to allow an enrolment decision to be made. This might involve an interview or assessment (face-to-face or electronic).
Don't meet the entry requirements?
If you don’t meet the entry requirements and feel like you might want to do other Polytechnic study to get you up to speed before you apply for this Level 3 programme, we have several options available:
Engineering Maths Summer School
This is the perfect option if you need to improve your engineering maths skills. It runs during January each year.
New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)
This is a great option if you want to re-engage with study or want to experience studying at a polytechnic. It will help you develop your reading, writing, maths and computing skills.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 2)
This Certificate is for speakers who can use basic English in everyday settings but want to improve their English for study or work.
Want your existing knowledge recognised?
Credit recognition includes credit transfer, cross credits, recognition of prior experiential learning, recognition of current competency, and assessment of prior learning. Each of these terms relates to previous qualifications and relevant experience.
- There are usually no limits on the number of credits that may be granted towards course work in this programme.
- Credit recognition will not be granted for the final closed-book examination (Capstone Assessment).
- Appropriate credit will be granted for learning which is current and relevant to your programme, regardless of where and how that learning has occurred, e.g. through formal study, self-directed study, workplace learning, life experience, hobbies, marae based learning, within community wānanga or participation in rangahau projects.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You’ll need to provide your own personal stationery, calculator and safety footwear. It would also be an advantage to have a laptop to bring to class or at least a PC available.
You will also need to buy an electrical tool set for approximately $400 during the first term of the programme.
Your lecturer will let you know more about these requirements during the first week of your programme.
Domestic students may be able to get financial support for these things by applying to Studylink for a student loan/allowance.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people.
The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023 means you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
