New Zealand

[VoltzElectrical]

I lived in NZ as a boy and would love to go back, even just for a while. I was thinking that they'll be needing a few sparks in Christchurch to rebuild the place after the recent catastrophic earthquake.

I am wondering if anybody one here has any experience of sparking out there, or know of anybody who has, and what the general setup is.

Any thoughts welcome on this open ended thread, and thanks in advance to all who contribute.

Cheers.

 

[telectrix]

i would say that if you get a smidgin of a chance to get out therer to work. make sure you only buy a 1 way ticket. it's had it here and will only get worse.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

amen

 

[Jazza]

hi mate, similar to the uk setup, apart from they have a registration system over there, im from christchurch, but ive only been learning electrics since being in england.

I have a mate over there who is a spark, so could ask him, what did you want to know?

I imagine you will have to get your qualifications assessed by NZQA. they will see if your qual is equal to the ones in nz. Then you will also have to send all your quals to the EWRB (Electricity Workers Registration Board)

Once you are Registered with the EWRB as an electrician you can setup and start working for yourself, if you can get a job with someone else who is registered, you may be able to work under there license.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Do you have to take a test to work there? If so, what's it like? What supply/ earthing arrangement do they have? Do they have a 'part p' equivalent. You know, just the basic gist of the setup.

Basically. i guess I'm asking how easy it is to up sticks and go there and work in the electrical industry as a contrast from here in the UK? Don't wanna jump out of the frying pan into the fire!

Thanks

 

[Jazza]

ill ask my mate, i dont know much about nz electrics, but i imagine it is very similar to here, although i never heard of ring circuits in new zealand.

Electrical Workers Registration Board | Home visit that website

 

[Jazza]

I think it will be best if you get in contact with the EWRB and explain your situation. Thats what they are there for, they will be able to tell you what you need to do to get registered as an electrician.

im pretty sure you will have to sit a competency test, - New Zealand Electrician Jobs

 

[Jazza]

here is the section on EWRB that will apply to you, it has a document that you can read through

EWRB - Overseas Qualifications

 

[Jazza]

GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

1. Electrician Registration

1.1 List of Common Certificates

City and Guilds of London Institute - Level 2 Certificate
*Ordinary or Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
*City and Guilds Full Technological Certificate
*City and Guilds Electrician's Certificate
*City and Guilds Electrical Technician's Part 1 Certificate
*City and Guilds Electrical Technicians Part 2 Certificate in Electrical Power Equipment
*City and Guilds Electrical and Electronic Craft Studies Part 2
*City and Guilds Electrical Installation Course 2360 Part 2
*City and Guilds Certificate in Electrical Installation Competencies
*Northern Counties T.E.C Electrical Technicians 2nd Year Certificate
*Welsh Joint Education Committee Electrical Engineering Technicians Part 1 Certificate
*Welsh Joint Education Committee Electrical Technicians Certificate 2nd Year (Intermediate)
*Scottish Technical Educational Council Higher Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
*BTEC (or TEC) Certificates:
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering
any of these must have a pass in the following subjects:
- Stage II - Electrical and Electronic Applications, or Electrical or Electronic Principles.
- Stage III - Heavy Current Electrical Applications
*BTEC National Certificate in Mining Engineering (Mining and Electrical)
*Scotvec (Scottish Vocational Education Council) Higher Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The following certificates are not now issued but are still acceptable:

*City and Guilds Intermediate Grade Electrical Engineering Practice AC and DC
*City and Guilds Final Grade Electrical Engineering Practice Parts 1 and 2
*City and Guilds Electrical Installation Work Courses "B" or "C" Certificate
*City and Guilds Intermediate Electrical Technicians Certificate
*City and Guilds Colliery Electrician Craft Certificate.
*City and Guilds Certificate in Electrical Installation Work
*City and Guilds Installation Work Certificate B and C (scheme 236)
*City and Guilds Certificate Part 2, Certificate in Electrical Installation Work

* Listed in Schedule 6 to the Electricity Regulations 1997

1.1.1 Equivalence to New Zealand Requirements

Any certificate exempts the holder from the 3rd stage theory examination requirements.

1.1.2 Registration Requirements

The holder of a certificate must:

(a) Pass the 3rd stage practical assessment or examination.

(b) Pass the regulations examination.

(c) Have documents that show 4 years work experience on (the equivalent of) prescribed electrical work that incorporates the skills in paragraph 1(2) of Clause 1 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997. The experience can include the period of apprenticeship or training.

(d) Complete the safety instruction requirements of Clause 3 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997.

1.2 Craftsman Certificate

1.2.1 Description

This certificate is evidence of completion of a training programme prescribed by any approved Industry Training Board. This includes the training for the City and Guilds of London Institute - Level 2 Certificate or equivalent.

1.2.2 Equivalence to New Zealand Requirements

This certificate:

(a) Exempts the holder from the 3rd stage theory examination requirements.

(b) Is evidence of the completion of 4 years work experience that has incorporated the skills in paragraph 1(2) of Clause 1 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997 where the period of the training programme was 4 or more years.

1.2.3 Registration Requirements

The holder of this certificate must:

(a) Pass the 3rd stage practical assessment or examination.

(b) Pass the regulations examination.

(c) Where the period of the training programme was less than 4 years, have documents that together with the Craftsman Certificate show, at least, 4 years work experience on (the equivalent of) prescribed electrical work.

(d) Complete the safety instruction requirements of Clause 3 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997.

1.3 Military Forces Training

1.3.1 Description

Documents must show that the training received has reached the standard contained in an agreement between Military and the relevant Union.

1.3.2 Equivalence to New Zealand Requirements

This certificate:

(a) Exempts the holder from the 3rd stage theory examination requirements.

(b) Is evidence of the completion of training that has incorporated the skills in paragraph 1(2) of Clause 1 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997.

(c) Is evidence of the completion of 4 years work experience where the period of the training was 4 or more years.

1.3.3 Registration Requirements

The holder of this certificate must:

(a) Pass the 3rd stage practical assessment or examination.

(b) Pass the regulations examination.

(c) Where the period of the training was less than 4 years, have documents that together with the period of training show, at least, 4 years work experience on (the equivalent of) prescribed electrical work.

(d) Complete the safety instruction requirements of Clause 3 of Schedule 1 of the Electricity Regulations 1997.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

I seems that if you are a qualified spark in the uK, you need only to do the regs exam for your license over there. (only had a skim read through as dense text and tired)

sorry, it seems we were posting at the same time! but this is what I was reading prior to your posting it here. Seems I missed the practical exam too. Unless I misunderstood.

Nice work

 

[Jazza]

yeah regs exam and a practical exam, but im sure you could look for jobs over there and work for someone else without all this. ask EWRB. my mate is down in chch so ill ask him, what time are you looking to go over?

 

[VoltzElectrical]

That's the question! I'd be over there on the next flight, but the wife has a whole list of caveats so the answer isn't something I can give a clear answer to at the moment.

 

[Jazza]

lol, fair enough, and so she should. . I tell you what mate, apart from the recent earthquakes, christchurch is a nice part of the country, quiet, but not too quiet, best of both worlds. I would still be there, if it wasn't for my wife missing her family.

the thing is if you can take money over with you and buy a house freehold, you will be laughing, because that is the most expensive thing over there. rent was 250 nzd a week or more.

expect to earn 20 - 30 dollars per hour as a spark. around 650 - 900 per week after tax, its just like here your money goes down fast. lol

but everything is more expensive,

Apples 1kg 2.87
Beer Local (12 pack 330ml) 21.15
Big Mac Burger 4.45
Bread (Sliced White 700g) 3.79
Bus Fare (Adult) 3.10
Butter (500g) 4.99
Carrots 1kg 1.99
CD (New Release) 35.00
Cheese (500g) 6.99
Chicken Drumsticks (1kg) 8.99
Chocolate Block (340g) 5.00
Coca Cola (1.5L) 2.49
Coffee (Instant 100g) 4.99
Ground Beef (Prime 1kg) 12.99
Ice Cream (2 L) 5.48
Milk (1 L) 2.33
Movie Theatre Pass (Adult) 15.00
Newspaper 2.20
Pasta (Spaghetti Dry) 2.18
Petrol (1 L Unleaded) 2.00
Sugar (1.5 kg) 2.48
Taxi Fare (per km) 2.00
Toilet Paper (4 pack) 2.39
Toothbrush 4.99

check out Cost of Living in New Zealand - NZ Living Expenses: Kiwi Lifestyle Cost to see how much things cost like rent and everything else.

also i did a quick search on a link for you. Theres an agency that says they will help you with registration, and that registration is not essential. Check seek.co.nz for jobs in christchurch

SEEK - Commercial and Industrial Electricians Job in Canterbury

 

[Jazza]

as far as the electrics go, its not that much different to the UK, I would say the UK is more strict.

colouring in nz is old uk style, red for line and black for neutral green yellow or green for earth.

electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts (50 hz)

here are some of the basics Home - Wiring Rules - Standards Australia Limited as/nzs3000 i think is there version of the 17th.

should be a doddle mate, not much brick houses either so no chasing, lots of partition walls. like i said, i wasnt in electrics when i was in nz, but i did all the dry lining so got too see alot of there work.

hope this helps mate.

 

[claret73]

Hi Jazza
All useful info Mate! Many Thanks for posting. I've sent you a PM