New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) - General Electrical Ref: 4204

Enrolments are now open for EarnLearn’s electrical apprenticeship, New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) - General Electrical [4204].

This apprenticeship has replaced the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) Level 4 [2388] (expiring 2027). The apprenticeship duration is 3.5 - 4 years and is completed as a mixture of On-Job, On-campus (Off-job), Online, and First Aid/CPR training.

The apprenticeship’s purpose is to provide the electrical industry with commercially competent registered electricians. These people can work independently to install, test, commission, and maintain electrical installations and equipment safely; and in accordance with the Electricity Act 1992.

The apprenticeship covers the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) electrical theory and regulations examination requirements for registration as an electrician, as well as their essential capabilities. Graduates will use this New Zealand Certificate as evidence of having met the applicable standards required for registration under the Electricity Act 1992.

Graduates will not be able to practice as an electrician until they have met all EWRB registration and licensing requirements.

Learning structure:

There are two main components to your training as an apprentice:

● On-job training - On-job assessments are completed on My eLearning.

● Off-job training - This is the electrical theory taught at an on-campus provider. During your normal working day, you will learn the skills and knowledge only an electrician can teach you. Electrical theory will be taught when you attend Off-job training at a local on-campus provider.

The two forms of learning are designed to be done side-by-side, so you complete your apprenticeship in around three and a half years. Keeping on top of your study and attending the Off-job training will help you finish on time.

Your Off-job is where you will learn electrical theory and complete your Off-job assessments. Off-job study is delivered by on-campus providers in various ways: online, night classes or day classes.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

• Install, commission, and maintain electrical systems, equipment, and machines within electrical environments.
• Carry out fault diagnosis and testing of electrical systems and equipment within electrical environments.
• Apply knowledge of electrical theory, systems, equipment, machines, and electrical protection in an electrical environment.
• Work safely; identify and control hazards; and manage risks in an electrical environment.
• Comply with electrical and relevant non-electrical legislation governing the work of electricians.
• Develop knowledge of areas where specialist knowledge is required to carry out installation and maintenance of electrical equipment.
• Work as a commercially competent registered electrician and communicate with stakeholders on electrical matters.

First Aid/CPR Training

All apprentices must do a First Aid/CPR course. The trainee is responsible for booking and attending this course with one of our contract providers; a list of these can be found on the EarnLearn website.

On-campus Training

For the on-campus training component the apprentice will attend classes at one of our approved on-campus providers.

On-campus providers:

• Northland – NorthTec (Whangarei/Kerikeri)
• Auckland – MIT, Unitec
• Waikato/Bay of Plenty – Wintec (Hamilton) and Toi Ohomai (Tauranga/Rotorua)
• Gisborne/Hawkes Bay – EIT (Hawkes Bay)
• Manawatu – UCOL (Palmerston North/Whanganui)
• Taranaki – WITT (New Plymouth)
• Wellington – WelTec (Petone)
• Christchurch – Ara, SIT
• Otago/Southland – SIT (Invercargill), Otago Polytechnic (Dunedin), Ara (Timaru)
• National Coverage - TOPNZ – (Distance learning with practical locations TBC)

For more information or to enrol, visit the EarnLearn website or call 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT), or check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our website.

To be eligible for entry, trainees must be in employment with an electrical or engineering company and engaging with work related to the scope of this programme. The employer and trainee must complete a training agreement.

The National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 2) [Ref: 0973] with Mathematics and English subjects; or equivalent knowledge and skills is a prerequisite for entry into this apprenticeship.

People who are working towards this qualification must hold a Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC) issued by the EWRB. Trainees must register with EWRB prior to signing up with EarnLearn and meet the requirements of their TLC within the first three months of their apprenticeship.

EarnLearn is a nationwide workplace training provider supporting apprentices, trainees and employers across New Zealand’s skilled trades.

We help people gain nationally recognised qualifications while learning on the job, combining practical workplace experience with structured training, assessment and ongoing support. Our nationwide team works alongside apprentices and employers throughout the training journey, providing clear milestones, regular check-ins and practical guidance to keep progress on track.

With training shaped by industry and grounded in real-world work, EarnLearn helps people build the skills they need to succeed in their trade while supporting employers to develop capable, confident and work-ready teams.