Qualification Details
Qualification
New Zealand Certificate in Civil
Engineering Laboratory with strands
in Aggregate, Asphalt, Bitumen,
Concrete, Field Investigation, and
Soil
Level 4
Expiring qualifications:
Credits
70-85
Detail
Strategic purpose statement:
Civil engineering testing laboratories provide a vital service for engineers in the design and quality
control of infrastructure works projects.
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the infrastructure civil engineering industry with people
who have the knowledge and skills to maintain, calibrate and operate civil engineering laboratory
testing equipment for the testing and sampling of materials to ensure that materials and construction
comply with industry standards and customer requirements.
Graduates will be capable of operating at a technical level with limited supervision.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
National Certificate in Infrastructure
Civil Engineering (Laboratory
Technician) (Level 4) with strands in
Aggregate, Soil, Bitumen, Concrete,
Asphalt, and Field Investigation [Ref:
1643]
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Operate, maintain and calibrate equipment
Plan laboratory testing activities
Apply quality standards and material specifications
Conduct sampling
Quantify and validate the uncertainty in measurement in test results
Graduates of the Aggregate strand will be able to complete aggregate sampling and perform
aggregate source property, or aggregate production tests
Graduates of the Asphalt strand will be able to complete asphalt sampling and perform asphalt tests
Graduates of the Bitumen strand will be able to complete bituminous binder sampling and perform
bitumen or modified bitumen, or bitumen emulsion tests
Graduates of the Concrete strand will be able to complete concrete sampling and perform concrete
tests
Graduates of the Field Investigations strand will be able to perform field investigation tests
Graduates of the Soil strand will be able to complete soil sampling and perform either soil
classification, soil density and compaction, or soil strength tests
1
Special conditions related to this qualification:
This is a technical entry level qualification into a specialised area of work. Individuals entering this
qualification should possess the knowledge and skills required to work in; or are currently working in
a civil engineering laboratory.
It is recommended that people achieve this qualification prior to undertaking the New Zealand
Certificate In Infrastructure Civil Engineering (Level 5)
At least ONE strand must be chosen to fulfil the requirements of this qualification.
Being able to effectively communicate test results with customers and working safely applies across
all strand outcomes of this qualification.
Transition arrangements:
People currently working towards any of the replaced qualifications may either complete the
requirements for that qualification by 31 December 2016 or transfer to this qualification. The last
date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2015.
2
Qualification outcomes
1
Operate, maintain and calibrate
equipment
Ind.
Credits
15
Conditions
M/O
Must include:
M
- operating and maintaining basic civil
engineering laboratory equipment, including:
mass, temperature, length, and volume
measurement equipment; and a temperature
controlled cabinet
Recommended unit
standards
26629 (L3C10)
26633 (L4C8)
- calibrating and maintaining civil engineering
laboratories test equipment
2
3
4
Plan and conduct laboratory testing
activities
10
Adhere to quality standards and
requirements
4
Conduct sampling
5
Must include:
M
- planning, conducting and organising daily civil
engineering laboratories work activities
Must include:
26628 (3C10)
M
- an applied understanding of the management
and technical requirements of laboratory quality
systems
Must include:
8441 (L5C4)
M
- preparation requirements; field sampling
procedures; and field sample handling and
transportation procedures
5
6
Quantify and validate the uncertainty
in measurement in test results
Aggregate strand
6
Must include:
- operating and maintaining pressure and force
measurement equipment
30
26332 (L3C5)
M
26630 (L3C3)
26631 (L3C3)
Candidates must choose either: aggregate
source property, or aggregate production tests
3
Complete aggregate sampling and
perform aggregate source property,
or aggregate production tests
Must include:
M
- completing civil engineering laboratories
aggregate sampling
26638 (L4C12)
26634 (L4C8)
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
26635 (L4C16)
26636 (L4C10)
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
test results
7
Asphalt strand
26637 (L4C18)
45
Complete asphalt sampling and
perform asphalt tests
Must include:
M
- completing civil engineering laboratories
asphalt sampling
26668 (L4C15)
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
26669 (L4C15)
26670 (L4C15)
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
test results
8
Bitumen strand
Complete bituminous binder
sampling and perform bitumen or
modified bitumen, and bitumen
emulsion tests
30
Candidates must choose either:
bitumen/modified bitumen, or bitumen emulsion
tests
Must include:
- completing civil engineering laboratories
bituminous binder sampling
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
test results
M
26675 (L4C8)
26673 (L4C15)
26647 (L4C15)
26676 (L1C10)
26677 (L4C12)
4
9
Concrete strand
30
Complete concrete sampling and
perform concrete tests
Must include:
M
NEW L03 (L4C6)
- completing civil engineering laboratories
concrete sampling for either fresh or hardened
concrete
NEW L04 (L4C4)
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
NEW L05 (L4C8)
NEW L06 (L4C16)
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
test results
10
Field Investigations
30
Perform field investigation tests
Must include:
M
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
26664 (L4C15)
26665 (L4C15)
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
test results
11
Soil strand
Complete soil sampling and perform
soil classification, soil density and
compaction, and soil strength tests
30
Candidates must choose at least one of the
following tests: soil classification, soil density and
compaction, soil strength
Must include:
M
26649 (L4C10)
- completing civil engineering laboratories soil
sampling
26643 (L4C10)
- an understanding of test methods; the reporting
requirements and meaning and applicability of
test results
26644 (L4C10)
- performing tests and calculating and reporting
26646 (L4C12)
26645 (L4C8)
5
test results
26647 (L4C8)
26648 (L4C12)
6