Field                Engineering and Technology

Registration and Review of Water Industry New Zealand qualifications

 

Reviewed qualifications

Ref

Version

Qualification Title

Credits

2240  

3 

New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) with strands in Drinking-water, and Wastewater

40 

4138

1

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

70-120

4142

1

New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

70-120

4223 

1 

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5)

65 

 

Development/Review information

Qualification Developer

Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board

Reason for the development/review

Scheduled 5-year review

Review date

April 2025

Outcome date

May 2026

Next review date

December 2032

 

Summary of development/review and consultation process

Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council, together with representatives from the water services industry, reviewed the Water Industry qualifications during 2025. Responsibility for these qualifications was transferred from Waihanga Ara Rau WDC to the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board to reflect VET reforms.

Waihanga Ara Rau and representatives from the water services industry reviewed the New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4138-1] and New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4142-1] during 2025.

The review resulted in two replacement qualifications which better reflect the needs of the water industry, and an additional Level 3 qualification, that provides the water services industry with people who have the entry-level skills and knowledge to work safely in a water services environment.

The review also recommended following qualifications to be expired with no replacement: 

  • New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) [Ref: 2240-3] with strands in Drinking-water, and Wastewater
  • New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5) [Ref: 4223-1]  

A steering group was established with representatives across the water services industry including from wastewater, drinking water, trade waste, and industry association. Consultation was undertaken using association and steering group networks, and the Waihanga Ara Rau website, at various stages throughout the review period. Changes to the reviewed qualifications and new development work was overseen and approved by the steering group.

 

Main changes resulting from the development/review process

Two replacement qualifications were developed, with mandatory skill standards set into the conditions relating to the qualification outcomes, and changed GPOs and content:

-        New Zealand Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Pre-Treatment, Clarification, Coagulation and Flocculation, Fluoridation, Non-Chlorine Disinfection, and Filtration [Ref: 5672] replaces the New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4138]

-        New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Activated Sludge, Effluent Disinfection, Fixed Growth Reactor, Separation, Sludge, and Ponds [Ref: 5673] replaces the New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes [Ref: 4142].

New qualification developed:

-          New Zealand Certificate in Water Services (Level 3) with strands in Drinking Water, and Wastewater [Ref: 5674]

Qualifications to be expired with no replacement:

-          New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) [Ref: 2240] 

-          New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5) [Ref: 4223] 

 

Development/Review outcome

Ref:

Version

Qualification Title

Outcome category

New qualification ID/version

2240

3

New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) with strands in Drinking-water and Wastewater

D-Qualification will expire with no replacement

2240-4

to expire

4138

1

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Pre-Treatment, Clarification, Coagulation and Flocculation, Fluoridation, Non-Chlorine Disinfection, and Filtration

C-New replacement qualification

4138-2

to expire

 

5672-1

4142

1

New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Activated Sludge, Effluent Disinfection, Fixed Growth Reactor, Separation, Sludge, and Ponds

C-New replacement qualification

4142-2

to expire

 

5673-1

4223 

1 

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5)

D-Qualification will expire with no replacement

4223-2

to expire

5674

1

New Zealand Certificate in Water Services (Level 3) with strands in Drinking Water, and Wastewater

New

5674-1

 

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.

Ref/ID remains the same.

New review date is required.

B

Significant changes to the qualification

New replacement qualification with a new Ref/ID

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

4138

1

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

31 May 2028

31 December 2029

2240  

3 

New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment (Small Scale System) 

31 December 2026

31 December 2028

4142

1

New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with optional strand in Multistage Processes

31 May 2028

31 December 2029

4223 

1 

New Zealand Certificate in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) 

31 December 2026

31 December 2028

*only required for outcome category C or D

 

Any additional information, including Qualification Developer contact details.

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

Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board

PO Box 445

Wellington 6140

 

Email:         qualifications@energyinfra-skills.nz

Website:     www.energyinfra-skills.nz