Review of Renewable Energy Systems qualification

Field Renewable Energy Systems

Review of Renewable Energy Systems qualification

National Certificate in Renewable Energy Systems (Level 4) with strands in Design, Micro-hydro, Photovoltaic, and Wind Generation [Ref: 1694]

The Skills Organisation has completed the review of the qualification listed above.

New qualifications

New Zealand Certificate in Renewable Energy System Design (Level 4) with strands in Grid-connect Systems (Photovoltaic) and Stand-alone Systems (Photovoltaic), and optional endorsements in Wind Energy Systems and Micro-hydro Systems

[Ref: 1938]

New Zealand Certificate in Renewable Energy System Installation (Level 4) with strands in Grid-connect Systems (Photovoltaic) and Stand-alone Systems (Photovoltaic), and optional endorsements in Wind Energy Systems and Micro-hydro Systems [Ref: 1939]

Date new qualifications published April 2013

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2017.

Summary of review and consultation process

A consultation group was formed to undertake the review of the Renewable Energy Systems (RES) qualification. This group included industry practitioners, training providers, and representatives of the industry body Sustainable Electricity Association New Zealand (SEANZ). These people were mandated to speak on behalf of their industry and organisations, both from a training needs perspective and an employment trend perspective, and the relationships between the two.

The consultation group identified that there is an on-going need for a specialist qualification for this industry. The availability of a nationally-recognised qualification or qualifications in renewable energy is an important step in developing the renewable energy industry in New Zealand. The proposed qualifications will promote consistent levels of training in the industry and help to provide a viable career path for individuals wishing to specialise in renewable energy generation.

Main changes resulting from the review

The existing National Certificate in Renewable Energy Systems (Level 4) with strands was replaced by two New Zealand qualifications.

National Certificate in Renewable Energy Systems (Level 4) with strands in Design, Micro-hydro, Photovoltaic, and Wind Generation [Ref: 1694]

replaced by

and

Review category

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

Transition

This qualification has been reviewed and replaced by New Zealand qualifications. The last date for award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2013.

There are no existing programmes of training leading to the replaced qualification and no enrolled trainees. Transition arrangements between the replaced and new qualifications are not required. All new trainees will be enrolled into programmes leading to the award of the New Zealand qualifications.

It is not intended that any existing trainee be disadvantaged by these arrangements. However, any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may appeal to the standard setting body at the address below.

The Skills Organisation

Freepost 5164

PO Box 24469

Royal Oak

Auckland 1345

Telephone 09 525 2590

Fax 09 525 2591

Email reviewcomments@skills.org.nz

Website http://www.skills.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