Electrician
On this page
- What's it like to be an Electrician?
- How to become an Electrician
- Latest Electrician jobs
- Top skills and experience for Electricians
- Is Electrician the right role for you?
- Electrician role reviews
What's it like to be an Electrician?
An Electrician (Kaimahi Hiko) works on the electrical systems that keep our homes, businesses and cities powered. They need to know how to work safely with electricity when mending, installing and testing equipment and systems. Some Electricians work in homes and businesses on call, while others work on construction sites or at power generation stations or substations. Basic maths knowledge is important before training to become an Electrician.
Tasks and duties
- Maintaining and repairing electrical appliances.
- Installing and testing electrical systems and their components.
- Removing potential electrical hazards.
- Communicating with customers to understand problems and identify solutions.
How to become an Electrician
To become an electrician in New Zealand you need to complete an apprenticeship and a certificate qualification. You also need to register with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
Starting with a New Zealand Electrical Pre-trade Certificate (Level 3) is not essential but can help you secure an apprenticeship.
Complete an apprenticeship through an EWRB-recognised industry training organisation. This takes around four years and includes a study component.
In conjunction with your apprenticeship, complete a qualification. This could be a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering – Electrician for Registration (Level 4); National Certificate in Electricity Supply – Electrician (Level 4); New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4); or New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical and Electricity Supply.
Become a licensed electrical worker with the EWRB.
