NATIONAL CERTIFICATES FOR TRADES
Students who complete Certificate in Applied Technology can enter the Bachelor of
Applied Technology in a relevant field, or look for an appropriate job related to their certificate study and
possibly work towards a National Certificate.
National Certificates cannot be studied full-time as students need to be assessed in the workplace. The practical
requirements usually take between 18 months and 3 years to achieve (the exact length of time will depend on
the trade, the individual, and the opportunities within the job); the theory units required will vary.
There are three main steps to obtaining a National Certificate:
1. Complete Unitec’s Certificate in Applied Technology.
2. Obtain a suitable job in the relevant industry and complete the practical (on-job) assessments.
3. Request cross-credits into the National Certificate, and complete the remaining theory units.
NATIONAL CERTIFICATES AT UNITEC (FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)
National
Certificate in
Notes and contacts
Practical (on-job) and theory (off-job) requirements
Students MUST have a job in the relevant industry.
Boatbuilding
Boating Industry Training Organisation
(BITO) – www.nzmarine.com >
Apprenticeships
Practical & theory: Contact BITO directly for cross credits
from Unitec courses. All National Certificate off-job training is
managed by BITO (usually takes 3 – 5 years).
Building & Construction Industry Training
Organisation (BCITO) – www.bcito.org.nz
ITaBS
Practical: ITaBS arranges workplace assessments.
Theory: Apply through Unitec International for the Diploma in
Applied Technology (Building) to complete the theory as parttime study (up to 36 credits per semester). In 2008, one 24credit course costs $3,350.16.
(after Cert in
Applied
Technology –
Boatbuilding)
Carpentry
(after Cert in
Applied
Technology –
Carpentry)
There are two pathways, depending on
which professional body the employer is
affiliated with – ITaBS or BCITO.
Either way, both theory and practical
components must be completed to qualify
for the National Certificate. It usually takes
4 years with either pathway.
Electrical
Engineering
(after Cert in
Applied
Technology –
Electrical
Engineering)
Horticulture
Motor
Industry Automotive
Engineering
(after Cert in
Applied
Technology –
Auto Engineering
or Autotronics)
BCITO
Practical & theory: Talk to the employer about organising
both the workplace assessment and part-time study. Unitec
is contracted by BCITO to provide the classes (one night per
week) but BCITO will arrange the assessments and
enrolments and advise of the cost (do not apply to Unitec.)
Practical: On-job requirements usually take 1.5 to 2.5 years
Electrotechnology Industry Training
Organisation (ETITO) – www.etito.co.nz
after completing CAT. Some employers are registered
assessors who can handle these assessments – check with
Students are eligible to sit the EWRB
ETITO about this.
Electrical Registration exam and Theory
Theory: Apply through Unitec International for the National
exam on completion of the Certificate in
Certificate and request cross-credits (150 credits are
Applied Technology but may choose to
currently available). Each student’s situation will be assessed
take these later.
by Unitec to check which units are still required - there will be
Apply to the Electrical Workers Registration 1-2 off-job unit standards as a minimum, but there may be
other theory units as well. Each semester students will need
Board to register as an electrician when
you have completed all practical and theory a new offer of place confirming the courses/units chosen for
that semester, with the tuition fees calculated accordingly.
unit standards, plus passed these exams.
The Certificate in Horticulture is not
considered comparable to the National
Certificate in Horticulture.
Motor Industry Training Organisation
(MITO – www.mitor.org.nz).
No industry registration is required on
completion of the National Certificate.
Practical & theory: On-job requirements usually take 1.5 to
3 years. Apply through Unitec International for the National
Certificate and request cross-credits (it is expected there will
be about 80 – 120 credits available in 2008.) Each student’s
situation will be assessed by Unitec to check which units are
required. Each semester students will need a new offer of
place confirming the courses/units chosen for that semester,
with the tuition fees calculated accordingly.
H:\IntlStud\CIE\Marketing\Marketing Info\NZ IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGE RE TRADES.docx
14 March 2008