Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying (Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
141
NZSCED
040327
Architecture and Building > Building > Plumbing, Gasfitting and
Drainlaying
Qualification developer
The Skills Organisation
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
June 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the drainlaying
sector with people who are suitably skilled as drainlaying
tradespersons and ready to apply for registration as a licensed
drainlayer under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act
2006.
This qualification provides an entry into the drainlaying industry
and is intended for candidates who are training in the workplace
and who can fulfil the requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC).
Generally this is in conjunction with an apprenticeship.
This qualification allows the New Zealand community to
recognise that graduates, once registered and licensed, are able
to legally carry out all drainlaying work. A licensed drainlayer can
lay, alter, reconstruct, extend, repair and open up drains and
associated traps and connect drains up to and away from waste
water treatment stations.
Licensed drainlayers are qualified and licensed but must be
supervised by a certifying person who is ultimately responsible
for ensuring the work is done competently.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
 Install, repair and maintain drainage systems in accordance
with the legal requirements for a licensed drainlayer,
including the following systems:
Outcome Statement
Foulwater; Stormwater; Trade waste; On-site effluent
disposal; On-site wastewater treatment; Excavations and
reinstatement
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 Interpret drainage drawings and specifications: and produce
drawings and records of as-built work, and work with
understanding of subsoil, gradient and excavation
considerations
 Understand and apply the legislative responsibilities of a
licensed drainlayer
 Work with consideration of other construction trades and
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related services on site and practice ethically
 Apply material science and selection, trade physics, and
environmentally sustainable considerations to drainage
systems
 Apply safe working procedures and practices; identify and
control hazards in a working environment; and isolate and
test for safety and explain the limitations on drainlayers
carrying out electrical work
Education pathway
This qualification may build on the National Certificate of
Educational Achievement (Level 2) [Ref: 0973]. The Vocational
Pathway Award in Construction and Infrastructure is also
relevant but not required.
This qualification provides one of two entry pathways into the
drainlaying industry and is intended for candidates who have an
apprenticeship agreement in drainlaying. It provides trainees
with an opportunity to progress to being a fully credentialed
tradesperson.
The second entry pathway is the New Zealand Certificate in
Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3) [Ref: 2660] that is
intended for candidates who do not have an apprenticeship
agreement in any of those trades.
This qualification [Ref: 2661] can build on the New Zealand
Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3)
[Ref: 2660], which is not a pre-requisite for this qualification.
Some credits gained from the lower level qualification will
contribute to this qualification.
Employment pathway
Graduates will have met the competence requirements for a
career in the drainlaying industry and may engage as licensed
drainlayers once they have completed registration and other
licensing requirements.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
The candidate shall be awarded the qualification by the
accredited Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) where the
approved programme has been completed.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification
includes the full qualification title, the date of award, and the
logos of The Skills Organisation, the accredited TEO, and the
NZQF.
As the qualification developer, The Skills Organisation will
maintain a list of graduates of this qualification. The TEO will
report annually to The Skills Organisation the names of all
graduates awarded the qualification.
Arrangements for managing
consistency
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All TEOs offering this qualification (either arranging training or
delivering programmes) must engage with all the arrangements
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for managing consistency as stated below.
Candidates will be required to complete a common assessment
to be undertaken in a controlled environment. The common
assessment integrates any examination that forms part of the
registration requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Drainlayers Board and is matched to the outcomes of the theory
for registration of drainlayers unit standard 28349. The Skills
Organisation will notify TEOs annually of the timing and
methodology of the common assessment after consultation with
the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (the Board).
Evidence may come from:

Regular monitoring of trainee progression within either the
TEO or the workplace including liaising with employers,
teaching staff, training supervisors and industry and
managers about the value of the training to graduates and
industry.

Feedback from major employers' associations to ensure their
members involved in the Plumbing, Gasfitting and/or
Drainlaying industries are satisfied with the qualification
graduates.

Regular cross-industry meetings (Industry Advisory Groups)
where the changing training needs of the industry can be
discussed in light of technology changes, workplace
practices and graduate capabilities.

Independent surveys of graduates and employers to
determine if the graduates are appropriate for the workplace.

Providing an alignment matrix of programme outcomes
against the qualification outcomes, including how the
programme meets the requirements of the specified PGD
Board competency.

Monitoring of results of common assessment task.

Other relevant evidence that would support the report on the
evaluative question.
The evidence should be collated in to a high level report using
the consistency template that answers the key evaluation
question and is presented at the consistency event to show how
the graduates meet the graduate profile.
Guidelines for managing consistency are available and should be
referred to on the NZQA website.
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
TEOs delivering programmes that lead to award of this
qualification may transfer credit and recognise prior learning in
accordance with their own credit recognition policies and
procedures.
These policies and procedures, and information about associated
fees, must be available to the applicant prior to enrolment.
To facilitate credit transfer, education organisations must clearly
demonstrate the equivalency or comparability between each of
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the outcomes in the graduate profile, and the assessment
components of their programmes.
Credit transfer will be automatic where standards on the
Directory of Assessment Standards are used for assessment
within programmes of study or training leading to this
qualification.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for the award of
the qualification will be:
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)

achievement of all graduate outcomes in the graduate
profile through successful completion of an approved
programme.

successful completion of the common assessment for
the qualification.
None
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
Programmes must include the common assessment approved by the
structure
Board for its registration purposes, matched to the outcomes of the
theory for registration of drainlayers unit standard 28349. It is
recommended that this assessment occurs in the second half of the
programme.
It is recommended that training and assessment for health and safety
occurs early in the programme.
Conditions for programme
context
Regulatory Requirements
Candidates will be required to complete a common assessment to be
undertaken in a controlled environment. The common assessment
will include any examination that forms part of the registration
requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers
Board.Therefore, graduates may use this New Zealand Certificate as
evidence of having met the minimum applicable competence
requirements when applying to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Drainlayers Board for registration as a Drainlayer.
Programmes leading to this qualification must reflect supervision
requirements that are contained within the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Drainlayers Board registration and licensing Gazette notices
All trainees in New Zealand undertaking drainlaying as defined in the
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 must hold a Trainee
Limited Certificate from the Board.
The Board competencies referred to in the conditions throughout this
document are contained in paragraph 7 of the schedule to the
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Drainlaying Registration
and Licensing) Notice 2010
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Other conditions
Programmes must reflect industry best practice including commercial
competence, and currency with regard to legislation and regulations.
Programmes must be of sufficient duration to allow the graduate to
attain commercial competence.
Commercial competence is defined as the application of practical
activities that must be satisfactorily demonstrated within a timeframe
within which a competent person at this level could reasonably be
expected to perform the task, and reliably achieve the accepted
industry practice outcomes with regard to quality, safety and
commercial viability.
Programmes must provide in-depth theoretical knowledge in health
and safety across all activities – and all practical activities must
demonstrate these skills – addressing the Board Competency 2(f)(i)
Personal and public safety, 2(f)(ii) Site safety including safety
precautions for earthworks and excavations, 2(f)(iii) Electrical safety
and 2(f)(iv) and 2(f)(v).
Credit gained for an outcome or a standard may be used only once to
meet the requirements of this qualification.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
Drainlaying scope is defined as per the
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act
2006 s4, in general:
Mandatory
Install, repair and maintain
drainage systems in accordance
with the legal requirements for a
licensed drainlayer, including the
following systems:
 Foulwater
 Stormwater

inside the boundary

outside the building envelope

below ground
 Trade waste
Foulwater
 On-site effluent disposal
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
foul water – addressing the Board
Competency:
 On-site wastewater treatment
 Excavations and reinstatement
Credits 70
2(b)(i) foul water systems
Work to comply with: Compliance/approved
documents – acceptable solutions of G13,
AS/NZS 3500.2
Stormwater
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
storm water – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(f)(ii) storm water systems
Work to comply with: Compliance/approved
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documents – acceptable solutions of E1,
AS/NZS 3500
Trade waste
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
trade waste systems – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(f)(iii) Trade waste.
Includes systems, compliance, testing
(soundness and sampling) monitoring.
On-site effluent disposal
Programmes must provide – good working
knowledge and practical skills in on-site
effluent disposal – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(f)(iv) on-site effluent disposal systems
On-site wastewater treatment
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge and practical skills in on-site
wastewater treatment – addressing the
Board Competency:
2(f)(v) On-site wastewater treatment
systems.
Excavations and reinstatement
Includes safety considerations specific to this
outcome: Dewatering, confined spaces, gas
hazards, other services, supporting the
Board Competency:
2 (f)(ii) Site safety including safety
precautions for earthworks and excavations
2 (f)(v) & 2 (f)(iv) Other services’ location and
environmental considerations.
2
Interpret drainage drawings and
specifications: and produce
drawings and records of as-built
work
The outcome includes symbols, plans, and
manufacturer’s specifications, as-builts; and
excludes pricing but consideration of factors
is within core work of licensed persons.
Credits15
Includes read and draw plan, elevation and
cross section views.
Mandatory
Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge in relation to plans and
specifications, and drawing as-builts –
addressing the Board Competency:
2 (d)(i) Interpreting plans and specifications
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2 (d)(ii) Drawing as-builts.
3
Access and apply the legislative
responsibilities of a licensed
drainlayer
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
Credits 15
2 (e)(ii) Acts and regulations
Mandatory
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge in the Board
Competency:
2 (e)(ii) Standards
2 (e)(iii) Codes
2 (e)(iv) Manufacturers’ instructions.
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge in limitations
addressing the Board Competency:
2 (g) Limitations on persons who do, or
assist in doing, drainlaying work.
4
Work with consideration of other
construction trades and related
services and practice ethically
Credits 10
5
Apply material science and
selection, trade physics, and
environmentally sustainable
considerations to drainage
systems
Credits 15
Includes skills appropriate for onsite and
customer communication.
Mandatory
Includes sequence of operation, building
services integration.
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge addressing the Board
Competency:
Mandatory
2 (a)(i) Estimation, measurement and
calculation using measurement systems
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills
addressing the Board Competency:
2 (a)(v) Expansion and contraction
2 (a)(vii) Water quality (black, grey, recycled
and potable)
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge addressing the Board
Competency:
2 (a)(ii) Application of formulae
2 (a)(iii) Physics laws as they relate to
drainlaying
2 (a)(iv) Hydraulic principles
2 (a)(vi) Corrosion protection
Programmes must provide general
knowledge of sustainable use of resources in
relation to practice as a drainlayer (which
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differ from those of a plumber)
Environmental sustainability includes prudent
use and longevity of materials.
Programmes must provide in depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(c)(ii) PVC
2(c)(xi) Earthenware
2(c)(xii) Concrete
2(c)(xiii) Bedding materials and backfill
2(c)(xiv) Use of tools and equipment
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(c)(iii) Asbestos
2(c)(iv) Polyethylene (PE)
2(c)(vii) Polypropylene
2(c)(ix) Cast iron
2(c)(x) Steel
Programmes must provide general
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(c)(i) Copper
2(c)(v) Stainless steel
2(c)(vi) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
2(c)(viii) Brass/bronze
6
Apply safe working procedures and
practices; identify and control
hazards in a working environment;
and isolate and test for safety and
explain the limitations on
drainlayers carrying out electrical
work
Credits16
Programmes must include training and
assessment in confined spaces awareness,
evidenced by unit standards 18426 and
17599, and may also include unit standard
3058.
Mandatory
Programmes must ensure that graduates
have current first aid certificates, which may
involve basic first aid training.
Programmes must include in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
relation to electrical safety for drainlayers,
addressing the Board Competency:
2(f)(iii) Responsibilities relating to health and
safety - electrical safety.
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Transition information
Replacement information
The qualification replaced the National Certificate in Drainlaying
(Installation) (Level 4) [Ref: 0077]
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification [Ref: 0077] is 31 December
2017, when the replaced qualification will be designated expiring.
The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced qualification will be 31 December 2022 when the
qualifications will be discontinued. From that date no results can be reported against the qualification.
People currently working towards the replaced qualification may either complete the requirements by 31
December 2022 or transfer their results 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 The Skills Organisation.
The Skills Organisation
FREEPOST 5164
PO Box 24469
Royal Oak
Auckland 1345
Telephone 09 525 2590
Email
reviewcomments@skills.org.nz
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