FIELD ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Review of Electricity Supply qualifications
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) [Ref: 0888]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) [Ref: 0921]
The Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) has completed the review of the qualifications listed above.
Replacement qualifications
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295]
Date new versions published June 2007
The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2011.
Summary of review and consultation process
The above qualifications were reviewed as part of the SSB's review of the Level 2 qualification and a review of the overall delivery of the Electrical qualification pathway, and to reflect revisions to the Memorandum of Understanding Electrical Worker Registration signed with the EWRB for licensing of Electricity Supply electricians to bring it into line with the Australian and New Zealand Electrical Advisory Council (ERAC) developed core capabilities. There has also been significant representation from the electricity supply industry for a qualification that cover's the requirements of licensing by the EWRB and includes distinctive knowledge and skills as required for an electricity supply electrician, electrical fitter or electrical technician.
The review of the Level 2 qualification addressed concerns regarding the size of the introductory qualification, and the relevance of some of the standards in a foundation certificate. The review also dealt with the need to clearly distinguish the various career pathways available in the electricity supply industry.
The industry steering group decided to replace the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868] with one that provided an obvious introduction to the different qualification pathways, while also catering for those who may not have decided which career they wished to embark upon. The new qualification therefore has a core of compulsory standards that cover the minimum essential skills required for a trainee entering the electricity supply industry and is available as a standalone qualification. For those embarking upon a specific qualification pathway, optional strands contain the required standards. The strands are prerequisites for strands in subsequent qualifications, and enable a trainee to gain standards in their Level 2 qualification that are relevant to their chosen career.
Following concerns that the existing Electrical qualification pathway was not distinct enough, and with extensive industry consultation, it was decided that the new Level 2 qualification should include Electrical and Electrical fitter strands to allow trainees to progress on to a new Level 3 qualification where they can elect to take either an Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter or Electrical Technician strand dependent on their choice of career. Successful completion of the new Electrical qualification pathway to Level 4 still enables the trainee to register as an electrician with the Electrical Workers Registration Board, while also gaining a good introduction to the career of their choice by taking one of the strands at Level 3, which continues through the new Level 4 qualification.
A Line Mechanic strand has been added to the new Level 2 qualification providing introductory standards for those trainees wishing to pursue a Line Mechanic qualification pathway.
Further strands will be added to the new Level 2 qualification over time to provide introductions to the other main qualification pathways such as Cable Jointing and Mechanical Fitter.
Main changes resulting from the review
The reviewed qualifications have been replaced with new qualifications because significant changes have been made to the qualifications in terms of components and structure. The total credits required for the Level 2 qualification have been reduced from 88 to 48, and optional strands have been added for Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic. The total credits have also been reduced for the Level 3 and 4 qualifications, and elective strands have been added for Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician in both qualifications. The transfer of seven standards from the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) [Ref: 0888] to the new Level 2 qualification will necessitate additional entry conditions for those who complete the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868] and wish to progress to the new Level 3 qualification. A diagram in the Level 3 qualification clarifies these requirements.
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293]
|
Review category |
C |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Summary of differences between the qualifications
· Total credits required for the new standalone qualification have been reduced from 88 to 48.
· Optional strands have been added for Electrical, Electrical Fitter and Line Mechanic.
· Standards 9681, 9707, 17593, 17600, 17602, 18408, 18426, 19952, were not required in the new qualification.
· Standard 15852 has been moved to the Electrical strand.
· Standards 1178 and 16407 have been moved to the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294].
· Unit standards 10509, 17025, and 18276, have been moved to the Line Mechanic strand.
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) [Ref: 0888]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294]
|
Review category |
C |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Summary of differences between the qualifications
· Total credits required for the new qualification have been changed from 131 to 120-132 dependent on strand.
· Elective strands have been added for Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician.
· Standards 2397, 2399, 2400, 2670, 2683, 2824, 4437, and 4438, were not required in the new qualification.
· Standard 1205 has been moved to the compulsory section of the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295].
· Standards 2678, 20917, and 20799 have been moved to the Electrical Fitter strand.
· Standards 2406 and 2409 have been moved to the Electrical Fitter strand in the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295].
· Standards 750, 15843, 15844, 15845, 15846, 15847, and 15849 have been moved to the Electrical strand in the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293], and additional entry requirements are specified in the diagram at the end of this qualification for those candidates who hold the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868].
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) [Ref: 0921]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295]
|
Review category |
C |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Summary of differences between the qualifications
· Total credit required for the new qualification has been reduced from 128 to 100-102 dependent on strand.
· Elective strands have been added for Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician.
· Standards 2013, 2397, 2399, 2400, 2670, 2683, 2824, 4437, 4438, 5929, 5930, 11662, 11663, 15863, and 16413 were not required in the new qualification.
· Standard 14287 has been moved to the Electrical Technician strand in the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294].
· Standards 15850 and 15854 have been moved to the compulsory section of the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294].
· Standards 2678, 20799, and 20917 have been moved to the Electrical Fitter strand of the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294].
Transition
People currently enrolled in programmes leading to the award of the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868] may either complete that qualification or transfer their existing achievements to the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293]. Those who hold the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 0868] and wish to take the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294] will be required to complete the optional Electrical strand of the new Level 2 qualification, and those who wish to take the Electrical Fitter strand at Level 3 will also need to complete the optional Electrical Fitter strand of the new Level 2 qualification.
People currently enrolled in programmes leading to the award of the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) [Ref: 0888] may either complete that qualification or transfer their existing achievements to the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294]. Those who wish to transfer will need to meet the requirements of the optional Electrical strand of the new Level 2 qualification. If they elect to take the Electrical Fitter strand they will also need to meet the requirements of the optional Electrical Fitter strand of the new Level 2 qualification.
People currently enrolled in programmes leading to the award of the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) [Ref: 0921] may either complete that qualification or transfer their existing achievements to the new National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295]. Those who wish to transfer will be required take the standards in the strand of the new Level 3 qualification that corresponds with the strand they will be taking at Level 4 (eg taking the Electrical Technician strand at Level 4 will require the trainee to hold the Electrical Technician strand standards of the new Level 3 qualification). If the strand they choose at Level 4 is the Electrical Fitter strand they will also be required to meet the requirements of the Level 2 and Level 3 Electrical Fitter strands, as detailed in the diagram at the end of the qualification document.
These qualifications contain standards that replace earlier standards. For the purposes of these qualifications people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards.
|
Level of Qualification |
Credit for |
Exempt from |
|
2 |
2824 |
21912 |
|
3 |
4795 |
20917 |
|
4796 |
20799 | |
|
4 |
15863 |
20962 |
The last date for assessments to take place for the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2009.
Industry will continue to recognise the replaced qualifications, and there should be no need to 'upgrade' by those who have already achieved them.
Programmes leading to the award of the new qualifications will be available for implementation following registration. From 1 January 2009 all training programmes and courses will lead to the award of the new qualifications. All new trainees will be enrolled in programmes leading to the new qualifications.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates are disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. However, candidates may appeal in the first instance to the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation, which will consider any appeal on a case-by-case basis.
PO Box 1245
HAMILTON
Telephone 07 834 3038
Facsimile 07 834 8160
Email info@esito.org.nz
Key to Qualification Review Categories
|
Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID |
Changes are made to SSB name, contact details or purpose statement |
|
No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification | |
|
No transition arrangements are required | |
|
Category B The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID |
Changes are made to title, rules or components |
|
The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version | |
|
The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence | |
|
Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version | |
|
Category C A new (replacement) qualification is published with new NQF ID |
Significant changes are made to the qualification in terms of components, structure, type or level |
|
The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification | |
|
Transition arrangements are required | |
|
Transition may be limited to phase-out dates | |
|
Category D Qualification will expire. There is no replacement qualification |
Qualification is no longer required by industry |
|
The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set |