New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3)

Ground yourself with the right skills

If you want to get into the electrical industry but haven’t secured an apprenticeship, this programme is a great place to start. You’ll learn theoretical and operational knowledge of electricity production, distribution and utilisation, and will be able to safely and legally carry out a limited range of prescribed electrical work under supervision. First Aid and EST (Electrical Service Technician) qualifications are included in this programme.

What will I learn?

Graduates of this qualification will, in the context of the wider electrical industry and under supervision and in a controlled environment, be able to:

Apply fundamental knowledge and principles of electrical theory and practice, including electrical protection, to the installation and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment.
Apply fundamental knowledge of fault diagnosis and testing techniques of electrical systems and equipment.
Apply safe working procedures and practices, and identify and report electrical and other hazards.
Ensure their own activities are within legal limitations of the electrical legislation.
Apply fundamental knowledge and principles to the installation and maintenance of electrical machines.
Apply fundamental knowledge and principles to the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in special electrical situations.
Work ethically and professionally within the electrical industry, as an electrical apprentice, including maintaining current competency and communicating with stakeholders on electrical and related matters.

Courses in this programme

	Level	Credits
3508.0001 - Electrical Work Practices Aim: To acquire fundamental operational and theoretical knowledge of electrical work practices. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 29465, 29468, 29466, and 29467	3	15
3508.0002 - DC Fundamentals Aim: To introduce fundamental knowledge and principles of Direct Current (DC) electrical installation practices. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 25070, 25071, and 25072	3	15
3508.0003 - Installation Fundamentals Aim: To introduce fundamental knowledge and principles of electrical installation practices and associated legislation and standards. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 750, 15852, 15866, 29469, 29470, and 29471	3	15
3508.0004 - Electrical Applications Aim: To understand and apply fundamental knowledge of electrical theory and practice to the installation and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 29472, 29473, and 29474	3	15
3508.0005 - Electricity Systems Aim: To extend knowledge of electrical systems and applications of direct and alternating current. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 29475, and 29476	3	15
3508.0006 - Electricity Supply and Distribution Aim: To gain understanding of the fundamentals of the NZ electricity supply system and devices used to ensure the safety and protection of users and installations. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 1204, 5932, 15848, 29477, and 29478	3	15
3508.0007 - Circuit Design and Operation Aim: To understand the theory and application of electrical diagrams in terms of circuit design and lighting installations. Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 29479, 29480, and 29481	3	15
3508.0008 - Electrical Machines Aim: To understand the theory and application of electrical machine protection, fault diagnosis, special power supplies and rotating machines. This course includes one compulsory unit standard: 29484 - Demonstrate knowledge of theory and practice for electrical workers Students may also be assessed against unit standards: 15855, 29482, 29483, and 19557	3	15

Career opportunities and pathways

Graduates of this programme can move onto an apprenticeship as an industrial or residential electrician. Graduates will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to work in apprenticeships in the electrical industry in the field of their choice with guidance, mentoring, and supervision in accordance with the Electricity Act 1992.

Examples of roles that this qualification may lead to are:

Electricity Supply Electrical Apprentice
Domestic/Commercial Electrical Apprentice
Industrial Electrical Apprentice
apprenticeships in other electrical related sectors.

Graduates may also be able to work in areas such as electrical wholesaling or retailing as a counter sales person, or electrical meter readers.

This qualification provides one of two entry pathways into the electrical industry and is intended for candidates who do not have an electrical apprenticeship agreement. The second entry pathway is through an apprenticeship agreement where candidates will be signed directly into the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4).

On completion of this qualification graduates may progress to higher level qualifications within the electrical industry such as the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4), or the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) (Level 6). Graduates may also progress to degree level programmes.

Entry requirements

All applicants must:

be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences
be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes
have achieved the New Zealand Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 1) in Mathematics, English, and Physics or General Science, or equivalent qualifications before starting programmes leading to the qualification.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.

Qualification gained

New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3)

Courses and programmes may be cancelled, postponed or have their content or configuration changed from time to time (including during the academic year) at the discretion of NorthTec. Fees are an indication, include GST and apply to domestic students only. View terms and conditions