The New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3) is a full-time programme designed to equip students with the foundational electrical knowledge to start their career as apprentice electricians. Delivered over 1 year, the programme offers 121 credits through nine courses covering workplace safety, DC and AC fundamentals, cables and fittings, supply systems, protection and circuits, installations, and transformers and electrical machines. Students learn about electrical installation, testing, fault-finding, circuit protection, and preparation for EWRB registration assessments. Graduates are prepared to carry out electrical work under supervision and continue on to higher electrical trade qualifications. The programme is delivered at MIT TechPark and is not available to international students. Entry requires NCEA Level 1 with Mathematics and English or equivalent knowledge. Domestic fees are approximately NZD 7,700.

Course Content

• Workplace skills and safety (15 credits) - application of electrical workplace standards, health and safety practices, and first aid certification

• DC fundamentals (15 credits) - theory and principles of Direct Current circuits and systems

• AC fundamentals (15 credits) - theory of magnetism, electromagnetism, and safe use of electrical tools and equipment

• Cables, fittings and testing (15 credits) - installation, testing and fault-finding electrical cords, cables and equipment

• Supply systems (15 credits) - knowledge of NZ electricity supply system and protection methods

• Protection, plans and circuits (15 credits) - circuit protection, electrical drawing conventions, switching circuits and lighting

• Installations (15 credits) - cable and wiring systems, damp situations, and special installations

• Transformers, electrical machines and isolation (15 credits) - theories on transformers, electrical machines and isolation procedures

• Capstone Test (1 credit) - final closed-book examination aligned with EWRB standards