FIELD                 Engineering and Technology

Review of Electricity Supply qualifications

National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Field Switcher) (Level 4) with optional strands in Distribution Networks, Transmission Networks, and Operational and Co-ordination Planning [Ref: 1117]

National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Distribution Faultman) (Level 4) with strands in Line Mechanic, and Electrician [Ref: 1624]

The Infrastructure ITO (Connexis) has completed the review of the qualifications listed above.

Replacement qualification

New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Fault Response and Switching) (Level 4) with strands in Distribution Fault Response, Distribution Network Switching, Transmission Switching, and Transmission Switching Control [Ref: 3586].

Date new versions published                                                          March 2017

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2022.

Summary of review and consultation process

Between 2011 and 2016, a mandatory sector review of qualifications for the electricity supply industry occurred.  The review included broad consultation with industry and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the new qualifications meet current and future needs.

The review resulted in a recommendation that the national qualifications above should be replaced by the New Zealand qualification in order to continue to meet stakeholder needs.

The replacement New Zealand qualification was listed, and the national qualifications were designated expiring.

Main changes resulting from the review

National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Field Switcher) (Level 4) with optional strands in Distribution Networks, Transmission Networks, and Operational and Co-ordination Planning [Ref: 1117], and

National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Distribution Faultman) (Level 4) with strands in Line Mechanic, and Electrician [Ref: 1624]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Fault Response and Switching) (Level 4) with strands in Distribution Fault Response, Distribution Network Switching, Transmission Switching, and Transmission Switching Control [Ref: 3586]

Review category

C

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

Ref: 1624] contains an expired unit standard for which a replacement unit standard has now been registered.  For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for the replacement unit standard are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the expiring unit standard – see table below.

Credit for	Exempt from
28112	10510

Transition

The last date for entry into training programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2018.  The last date for assessments to take place for the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2020.

People currently working towards either of the replaced qualifications may complete its requirements by 31 December 2020 or transfer to a programme of study or training leading to the replacement qualification.

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 Connexis at the address below.  Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Infrastructure ITO (Connexis)

PO Box 2759

Wellington 6140

Telephone              04 499 9144

Facsimile                04 499 9145

Email                       qualifications@connexis.org.nz

Key to Qualification Review Categories

Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NZQF 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 NZQF 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 NZQF 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