FIELD ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Review of Electricity Supply qualifications
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) with strands in Distribution, and Transmission [Ref: 1116]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) [Ref: 0874]
The Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) has completed the review of the qualifications listed above.
Replacement qualification
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 3) [Ref: 1369]
Date new versions published April 2008
The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2012.
Summary of review and consultation process
The review was carried out because feedback had indicated that a change in content and structure was required to meet current industry requirements.
It was no longer felt appropriate or necessary to have a transmission strand on the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) with strands in Distribution, and Transmission [Ref: 1116] A separate review of the transmission line mechanic pathway will address the qualification requirements for someone wishing to work on transmission lines. The Industry Steering Group has decided that the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) with strands in Distribution, and Transmission [Ref: 1116] should be replaced by a qualification dedicated to distribution line work. A new standard in temporary traffic management has been introduced, which is considered sufficient for the majority of line mechanics who require knowledge of traffic site safety but who will not be required to undertake supervisory responsibility. For those who will undertake supervisory duties an appropriate standard is available as an optional elective. Several standards have been revised to make them more applicable to line mechanics. The steering group also felt line mechanics required knowledge of power transformer theory, and that this was not covered in the current qualification. A new standard was written to cover this area, which has been added to the replacement qualification.
The steering group considered that the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) [Ref: 0874] was largely fit for purpose and required very little change.
Main changes resulting from the review
The National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) with strands in Distribution, and Transmission [Ref: 1116] has been replaced by a new qualification which is dedicated to distribution lines work and no longer has distribution and transmission strands. Surplus chainsaw maintenance, communication, and tree-felling standards have been removed, while standards have been added that cover basic electrical principles and power transformer theory.
The National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) [Ref: 0874] has been reviewed, but no significant changes have been made to the structure of the qualification other than the addition of a new unit standard that covers circuit protection.
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) with strands in Distribution, and Transmission [Ref: 1116]
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 3) [Ref: 1369]
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Review category |
C |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
· Standards 43, 9681, 12295, 12297, 14510, 14515, 14519, 16617, 18032 and 18277 were deemed no longer necessary and have not been included in the replacement qualification.
· The replacement qualification does not contain any strands.
· Total credits for the replacement qualification have been decreased from 65 to 64 (or 68 with optional elective).
· Standards 17602, 18027, 18273, 23897 and 23898 have been included in the replacement qualification.
· Standard 5627 will continue in the replacement qualification as an optional elective.
Transition
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic) (Level 3) [Ref: 1116]. It has been developed to provide a more appropriate pathway for Line Mechanic trainees who wish to work on distribution lines. It is specifically for distribution line mechanics, and no longer contains a transmission strand. Note that some unit standards from the replaced qualification are not included in the replacement qualification as outlined below.
Changes to structure and content
· Standards 43, 9681, 12295, 12297, 14510, 14515, 14519, 16617, 18032 and 18277 were deemed no longer necessary and have not been included in the replacement qualification.
· The replacement qualification does not contain any strands.
· Total credits for the replacement qualification have been decreased from 65 to 64 (or 68 with optional elective).
· Standards 17602, 18027, 18273, 23897 and 23898 have been included in the replacement qualification.
· Standard 5627 will continue in the replacement qualification as an optional elective.
People currently working towards the replaced qualification may either complete that qualification or transfer their existing achievements to the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 3) [Ref: 1369], with the exception of those taking the transmission strand, who may not transition.
The last date for assessment of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2010. All training programmes and courses from 1 January 2010 will lead to the award of the new qualification.
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) [Ref: 0874]
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Review category |
B |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Changes to structure and content
· Standard 16283 has been removed from the qualification.
· Standard 23896 has been added to the qualification.
· Standard 23899 replaced standard 18029.
· The credit total has decreased from 122 to 118.
Transition
This qualification was issued as version 4 following a review.
Changes to structure and content
· Standard 16283 has been removed from the qualification.
· Standard 23896 has been added to the qualification.
· Standard 23899 replaced standard 18029.
· The credit total has decreased from 122 to 118.
People currently working towards previous versions of this qualification may either complete the requirements for that version or transfer their results to this version of the qualification.
All training programmes and courses from 1 January 2009 will lead to the award of version 4 of the qualification.
It is not intended that anyone will be disadvantaged by this review, however, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to:
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
PO Box 1245
HAMILTON
Telephone 07 834 3038
Facsimile 07 834 8160
Email info@esito.org.nz
Key to Qualification Review Categories
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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 |
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No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification | |
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No transition arrangements are required | |
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Category B The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID |
Changes are made to title, rules or components |
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The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version | |
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The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence | |
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Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version | |
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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 |
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The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification | |
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Transition arrangements are required | |
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Transition may be limited to phase-out dates | |
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Category D Qualification will expire. There is no replacement qualification |
Qualification is no longer required by industry |
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The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set |