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National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution)
(Level 3)
Level
3
Credits
51
Purpose
This National Certificate is awarded to people who have demonstrated competence in the
intermediate skills and knowledge required for employment as a Line Mechanic in the
distribution sector of the electricity supply industry.
It focuses on the operation of electricity network lines, plant, and equipment, and forms the
first part of a pathway for trainees who seek to become Distribution Line Mechanics in the
electricity supply industry. They may build on the skills gained in this qualification by
progressing on to the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution)
(Level 4) [Ref: 0874], and ultimately may choose to acquire specialist skills through
undertaking the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution Live
Work) (Level 5) [Ref: 1119].
This qualification contains unit standards that build on the knowledge and skills recognised
by the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) with optional strands in Electrical,
Electrical Fitter, and Line Mechanic [Ref: 1293].
This qualification includes optional unit standards covering temporary traffic management,
and four wheel drive skills in an off-road environment. Whilst these unit standards are not
required to achieve the qualification, they may be considered necessary for some
employment contexts in the electricity supply industry.
Replacement Information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic)
(Level 3) [Ref: 1116].
Special Notes
Prerequisite: National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 2) [Ref: 1293] with the optional
Line Mechanic strand, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Credit Range
Level 2 credits
Level 3 credits
Level 4 credits
Total
17
20
14
51
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Requirements for Award of Qualification
Award of NQF Qualifications
Credit gained for a standard may be used only once to meet the requirements of this qualification.
Unit standards and achievement standards that are equivalent in outcome are mutually exclusive for the
purpose of award. The table of mutually exclusive standards is provided in section 7 of the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Rules and Procedures publications available at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/acrp/index.html.
Reviewed standards that continue to recognise the same overall outcome are registered as new versions
and retain their identification number (ID). Any version of a standard with the same ID may be used to meet
qualification requirements that list the ID and/or that specify the past or current classification of the standard.
Summary of Requirements
 Compulsory standards
Detailed Requirements
Compulsory
The following standards are required
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Forestry > Forest Operations
ID
Title
6916
Demonstrate knowledge of the Approved Code of
Practice relating to chainsaw use
Level
Credit
2
5
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Forestry > Non Commercial Forestry Skills
ID
Title
Level
Credit
6917
Operate a chainsaw
3
5
Engineering and Technology > Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Core Skills
ID
Title
Level
Credit
18027
18272
18273
23897
23898
Draw sketches and interpret electricity supply service
plans
Operate power-operated elevating work platforms
(EWP) in a electricity supply environment
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic composition and
properties of electricity
Demonstrate knowledge of power transformer theory
for electricity supply
Carry out polarity and phasing on LV electricity
networks
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
2
4
3
5
2
5
2
3
3
2
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Engineering and Technology > Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Distribution
Networks
ID
Title
Level
Credit
10510
10549
18031
Use machinery, plant and equipment in an electricity
network environment
Load, transport and store electricity supply cables, plant
and equipment
Measure and prune trees around electricity lines for
vegetation control to minimum approach distance
4
6
3
4
4
8
Health > Occupational Health and Safety > Occupational Health and Safety Practice
ID
Title
Level
Credit
17602
Apply hazard identification and risk assessment
procedures in the workplace
3
4
Optional standards
The following standards are optional
Engineering and Technology > Civil Works and Services > Civil Infrastructure Health,
Safety, and Environment
ID
Title
Level
Credit
20877
Demonstrate knowledge of working safely at sites
under temporary traffic management
2
1
Engineering and Technology > Highway Construction and Maintenance > Temporary
Traffic Management
ID
Title
Level
Credit
5627
Operate as a Traffic Controller (TC) for low volume and
Level 1 roads
Service Sector > Driving > Specialist Driving Knowledge and Skills
ID
Title
17976
17977
17978
Demonstrate knowledge of operating a light four wheel
drive (4WD) vehicle in an off-road environment
Develop a plan for off-road light four wheel drive (4WD)
driving
Operate a light four wheel drive (4WD) vehicle in an offroad environment
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
3
4
Level
Credit
3
4
4
5
3
4
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Version
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Transition Arrangements
Version 2
Version 2 was issued following a revision to improve completion rates for the qualification
by aligning it with the comptencies required for registration as a line mechanic.
Changes to structure and content
 the total credit value decreased from 64 to 51
 standards 17976, 17977, and 17978 were removed from the Compulsory section but
included as optional standards
 standard 20877 was included as an optional standard
 details of reviewed standards 6916 and 6917 were updated.
All existing candidates may either complete the requirements of version 1 of the
qualification or transfer to version 2.
All new trainees will be enrolled in programmes leading to version 2 of the qualification.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
This qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards. For the purposes of
this qualification, people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt
from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards – see table below.
Credit for
Exempt from
18029
23898
It is not intended that anyone is disadvantaged by this revision and the above
arrangements have been designed for a smooth transition. However, anyone who feels
they have been disadvantaged may appeal to the Electricity Supply Industry Training
Organisation at the address below.
Previous version of the qualification
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic)
(Level 3) [Ref: 1116].
NQF Registration Information
Process
Registration
Revision
Version
1
2
Date
April 2008
August 2009
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
Last Date for Assessment
December 2012
N/A
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Version
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Standard Setting Body
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
PO Box 1245
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
Telephone
Facsimile
Email
07 834 3038
07 834 8160
info@esito.org.nz
Planned Review
Any person or organisation may contribute to the review of this qualification by sending
feedback to the standard setting body at the above address.
Next Review
2012
Other standard setting bodies whose standards are included in the
qualification
Forest Industries Training and Education Council (FITEC)
InfraTrain New Zealand
New Zealand Industry Training Organisation
Tranzqual ITO
Certification
The certificate will display the logos of NZQA, the Electricity Supply Industry Training
Organisation and the accredited organisation.
Classification
This qualification is classified according to the NQF classification system and the
New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) system as specified below.
NQF Classification
NZSCED
Code
Description
Code
Description
318
Engineering and Technology >
Electricity Supply
031311
Engineering and Related
Technologies > Electrical and
Electronic Engineering and
Technology > Power Line
Installation and Maintenance
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NQF Ref
1369
Version
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Quality Management Systems
Providers and Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by a recognised Quality Assurance Body
before they can register credits from assessment against standards. Accredited providers and Industry
Training Organisations assessing against standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to
those standards. Accreditation requirements and the moderation system are outlined in the associated
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) for each standard.
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016