Field: Architecture and Building

Review of Scaffolding New Zealand Qualifications

Reviewed qualifications

Ref	Version	Qualification Title	Credits
3708	2	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (General) (Level 3)	120
3710	2	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Trade) (Level 4)	195

Development/Review information

Qualification Developer	Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board
Reason for the review	Alignment of the qualifications with mandatory skill standards
Review date	July 2025
Outcome date	July 2026
Next review date	July 2031

Summary of development/review and consultation process

Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council has completed the review of the scaffolding qualifications listed above.

The review of the qualifications involved the alignment of the graduate profile outcomes with the new scaffolding skill standards. This review was conducted simultaneously along with the development of the skill standards. A technical advisory group was formed, including representatives from the New Zealand Association for Scaffolding, Access and Rigging (SARNZ), industry stakeholders, and training providers.

Online meetings were held with the technical advisory group between July 2025 to November 2025. Consultation concluded that changes were needed to the qualifications to better reflect graduate skills; ensure flexibility and offer clear progression pathways. The review also confirmed the alignment of the outcomes of the qualifications with the mandatory skill standards developed for the domains of elementary and intermediate scaffolding.

Responsibility for these qualifications has been transferred to the Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board to reflect the VET reforms.

Main changes resulting from the development/review process

Overall changes:

The strategic purpose statement, and employment, cultural and community pathway were updated in both the scaffolding qualifications to ensure they are fit for purpose and reflect the current practice.

Qualification outcomes were consolidated into larger outcomes

The general conditions were updated to include information on the programme endorsement process.

Mandatory skill standards were listed in the Conditions relating to the Qualification outcomes.

Specific Changes:

New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (General) (Level 3) [Ref: 3708]

- The title was changed from (General) to (Elementary) to align with the SARNZ administered Certificate of Competence.

- The Level of the qualification was changed from 3 to 4 to better reflect the graduate skills.

- The total credit value of the qualification was increased from 120 to 125 to better reflect the current time required to acquire the required knowledge and skills.

- Graduate Profile Outcome 2 was removed and Graduate Profile Outcomes 1,3, 4 and 5 were amended to better align with sector needs and practice.

- The scale of changes necessitated the reviewed qualification was replaced, and a new qualification was listed.

New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Trade) (Level 4) [Ref: 3710]

- The title was changed from (Trade) to (Intermediate) to align with the SARNZ administered Certificate of Competence.

- The total credit value of the qualification was reduced from 195 to 75 to better reflect the current time required to acquire the required knowledge and skills and ensure clear progression pathways.

- Graduate Profile Outcome 4 was removed and Graduate Profile Outcomes 1,2 and 3 were amended to better align with sector needs and practice.

- The scale of changes necessitated the reviewed qualification was replaced, and a new qualification was listed.

Review outcome

Ref:	Version	Reviewed qualification	Outcome category	New qualification details/version (if applicable)
3708	2	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (General) (Level 3) New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Elementary) (Level 4)	C-New replacement qualification	3708-3 To expire 5659-1 New
3710	2	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Trade) (Level 4) New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Intermediate) (Level 4)	C-New replacement qualification	3710-3 To expire 5660-1 New

Qualification review outcome categories

Outcome	Result	Category
Minor changes to the qualification	Qualification version number and ID (Ref) remain the same New review date is required	A
Moderate changes to the qualification	New qualification version number ID (Ref) remains the same New review date is required	B
Significant changes to the qualification	New replacement qualification with a new ID (Ref) The existing qualification will expire	C
The qualification is no longer required by industry	The qualification will expire with no replacement	D

Transition information

Ref:	Version	Qualification Title	Last date of entry*	Last date of assessment
3708	3	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (General) (Level 3)	31 December 2027	31 December 2029
3710	3	New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Trade) (Level 4)	31 December 2027	31 December 2029

*only required for outcome category C or D

Any additional information

It is the intention that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.  Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may contact the qualification developer at:

Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board

PO Box 445

Wellington 6140

Phone: 04 909 0174

Email: info@cstisb.nz

Website: www.cstisb.nz