Field Engineering and Technology
Review of Electricity Supply qualification
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293]
The Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) has completed the review of the qualification above.
Replacement qualification
New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) [Ref: 2136]
Date new qualification published September 2013
The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2018.
Summary of review and consultation process
The New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) [Ref: 2136] resulted from a wider review of the national electricity supply industry education pathways as part of the Targeted Review of Qualifications. The review process included an industry learning needs analysis and consultation with providers and industry. A Level 2 qualification was seen as a critical entry point to electricity supply industry education pathways. It has been developed as the compulsory health and safety introductory qualification for all electricity supply training pathways in Transmission and Distribution.
Main changes resulting from the review
The new Level 2 qualification is a smaller qualification than the qualification it replaced (44 credits versus 50 credits) and its focus is narrowed specifically to health and safety in the electricity supply environment. It focuses on the introductory knowledge and skills required for a trainee to keep him or herself safe, and to keep safe those around them and the public - with appropriate supervision. All of the graduate outcomes are compulsory and there are no strands.
The expiring Level 2 qualification is unit standard based and, because the electricity supply industry has significant inherent danger, industry preference is for mandatory, specific assessment standard requirements in the replacement qualification. However, to ensure the flexibility to allow the qualification to be achieved through a range of contexts and learning pathways some of the standards that cover the knowledge components of some of the conditions for the graduate outcomes are optional.
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293]
replaced by
New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) [Ref: 2136]
|
Review category |
C |
See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Changes to structure and content
· A number of assessment standards in version 4 of [Ref: 1293] are not included in the replacement qualification and others have been revised. Some content that relates to specific roles in the electricity supply career path in the existing qualification, that does not appear in the replacement Level 2 qualification, may be included in the planned qualifications for those roles.
· The replacement qualification includes three assessment standards not in the existing qualification. These are assessment standards: 20092, Demonstrate knowledge of electricity transmission and distribution plant and equipment and 17602, Apply hazard identification and risk assessment procedures in the workplace, plus a new assessment standard 28020, Demonstrate knowledge of safe working electrical practices for Electricity Supply Workers.
· The first aid standards have been replaced since version 4 was published and their replacement standards' NZQA reference numbers are 26551 and 26552, as noted below.
· For programme developers opting for a programme which comprises all assessment standards, the following table compares the assessment standards in the existing qualification and the new qualification.
|
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293] Version 4. |
New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) [Ref:2136] |
|
Compulsory: 1978, 15848, 15851, 18274, 18275, 1277, 9677 |
18275 |
|
Optional: 750, 15844, 15845-15847, 15849, 15852, 25070-25072 |
No standards retained |
|
Strands: 2395, 2396, 21912, 2430, 11661, 4433, 10509, 17025, 18276 |
No standards retained |
|
Compulsory: 10507, 10508, 12300, 18038, 17026, 18275 |
10507, 10508, 12300, 18038, 17026 |
|
Compulsory: First Aid (6401, 6402) |
26551, 26552 |
|
Standards not included |
20092, 17602, 28020 |
Transition
All existing candidates may either complete the requirements of version 4 of the replaced qualification above, or transfer to this qualification according to programme availability.
Candidates with earlier versions of the Level 2 qualification who subsequently enrol in the higher level electricity supply educational pathway qualifications may need to complete the mandatory assessment standards in the New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) [Ref: 2136] that they have not yet achieved.
The last date for entry to programmes leading to the replaced qualification will be 31 December 2013.
The last date for assessment of version 4 of the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical, Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293] will be December 2015.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to ESITO at the address below. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis.
For further information contact ESITO:
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
PO Box 1245
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
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 |