Electrical Apprenticeships
Build a future in the trades with practical training
Electrical apprenticeships

Interested in becoming an electrician?

Start your career in the electrical industry, gain hands on experience on real worksites, and progress through a clear, nationally recognised training pathway with EarnLearn supporting your training, assessments, and wellbeing.

Why choose an electrical apprenticeship?

  • Earn while you learn: You’re employed and paid throughout your apprenticeship, with no student loan.
  • Industry recognised qualification: Work towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4).
  • Clear progression: Build core electrical skills on the job and progress through structured training milestones toward registration.
Enquire now →
How it works →

Apprenticeship snapshot

Typical timeframe
3 – 4 years

Qualification levels
Level 4

YOU’LL LEARN:
Electrical installation, maintenance, fault finding, testing, safe electrical practices, and working to regulations across a range of environments.

PROGRESS AND REGISTRATION:
As you complete training and assessments, you progress toward registration with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) and a practising licence.

EarnLearn support throughout your apprenticeships

Brooke & Larraine - apprentice

Earn while you learn

Earning while you learn lets you build skills on the job while continuing to earn an income. Apprentices gain practical experience, complete structured training, and work toward a recognised qualification with ongoing support. The result is financial stability, real skills, and strong future career options.

Read Brooke & Larraine's story →
Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
apprentice journey

What the electrical apprenticeship journey looks like

Electrical apprenticeships are structured by qualification level and work pathway. Your training progresses as you build skills on the job, while your pathway reflects the type of electrical work you are gaining experience in. You can gain experience across more than one pathway over time, depending on your employer’s work and your on job exposure.

Year 1 focus
Get legal to work, get set up, start building evidence

Licence
TLC in place

Safety
First Aid booked

Training
Off job started

Evidence
Verifier engaged

Register with EWRB and apply for your Trainee Limited Certificate
Required to carry out prescribed electrical work

Meet your EarnLearn Account Manager and get set up
Training plan, expectations, and what to do next

Book and complete First Aid
A core requirement early in training

Start on job assessments and get verifier sign off
Build evidence as you work, not at the end

Start off job training with your local provider
Theory that supports what you are doing on site

3 month checkpoint

By the end of month 3

  • First Aid booked or completed
  • TLC application underway or approved
  • Tradestart and first evidence started

You are set up to work legally, with training underway and your first on job evidence captured.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

Year 2 focus
Build consistency, complete core off job training, keep evidence moving

Licence
TLC current

Training
Year 1 off job complete

Evidence
Booklets in progress

Support
Regular check-ins

Continue off job training with your local provider
Build the theory that supports your on site work. Keep block dates organised and attendance strong.

Complete a minimum number of on job booklets
Keep evidence moving throughout the year. Small, regular progress beats leaving it all to the end.

Keep verifier sign-offs up to date
Regular sign-offs confirm competence and keep your progress on track.

Complete your first year of off job training
A key milestone that keeps your training timeline clear and predictable.

Plan your next year with EarnLearn
Review progress with your Account Manager and confirm priorities for Year 3.

By the end of year 2

By the end of Year 2, you should have:

  • A current Trainee Limited Certificate

  • Year 1 off job training completed

  • On job evidence and verifier sign-offs progressing steadily

You are progressing steadily, with core off job training completed and on job evidence building.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

Year 3 focus
Build depth, complete remaining training, prepare for final assessment and registration

Licence
TLC current

Training
Off job ongoing

Evidence
Majority of booklets completed

Assessment
Preparation underway

Continue off job training with your local provider
Build advanced theory to support higher-level electrical work. Maintain strong attendance to avoid delays.

Complete First Aid and Safety refresher (if required)
First Aid must be kept current. Refreshers are required every two years.

Complete remaining on job booklets
Finish all required and specialty booklets. Evidence should clearly show competence across a range of electrical work.

Prepare for EWRB theory and regulations exams
Begin structured exam preparation early. Focus on electrical theory, regulations, and safe practice.

Complete and submit final assessments
Work with your Account Manager and verifier to ensure all evidence is complete, signed off, and ready for final assessment.

End of Year 3 checkpoint

By the end of Year 3, you should have:

  • All off job training completed

  • All on job and specialty booklets signed off

  • EWRB theory and regulations exams completed or booked

  • Final assessments submitted

You are now positioned to complete your qualification and apply to the EWRB for registration and a practising licence.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

How it works

How electrical apprenticeships works

A clear pathway that combines real electrical work, structured training, and ongoing support.

On-the-job learning

Most of your learning happens at work. You’ll train under the supervision of registered electricians who show you how tasks are carried out, explain why work is done a certain way, and ensure safe electrical practices are followed at all times.

As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll take on more responsibility across different types of electrical work, environments, and systems.

You’ll keep a record of the work you complete through on job evidence and workbooks. This evidence shows what you’ve learned and forms the basis of your assessments.

On-the-job learning →
Read Henry's story →

Qualifications and training

Your apprenticeship works towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4).

Training is a mix of on job learning and off job training with a local provider. Off job training builds the theory and regulatory knowledge that supports what you are doing on site, including electrical theory, safety, and regulations.

Your training is paced around your workplace exposure rather than a fixed classroom timetable.

NZQA →

Assessments and evidence

Assessment is evidence based and completed as you work. You’ll collect on job evidence that shows you can safely and competently carry out electrical tasks under supervision.

A workplace verifier reviews and signs off your evidence, and EarnLearn assessors confirm it meets national unit standards. Regular evidence capture keeps your progress steady and avoids last minute pressure.

How assessments work →

Support and progress check-ins

You’re supported throughout your apprenticeship by EarnLearn. Your Account Manager provides guidance, helps you plan assessments, and checks in regularly to make sure you’re on track.

If issues come up at work or with training, early support helps keep things moving and prevents delays.

MyPortal →
Find your Account Manager →

Progression and completion

As you complete training and assessments, you move steadily toward finishing your qualification.

Once all requirements are met, you can apply to the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) for registration and a practising licence, allowing you to work independently as a registered electrician.

Sign Up →
Trainee FAQs →
Get in touch with us →

Training built around real work

How to start

How to start your Electrical apprenticeship

Understand what’s involved and how to move from interest to employment and training.

01

Check you are suited

Electrical work is hands on and safety focused. You will need to be reliable, comfortable working in a team, and able to follow instructions and safety procedures on active worksites. An interest in problem solving, basic maths, and working with tools and systems is important, along with a willingness to learn on the job.

02

Prepare your CV

Your CV should show you are work ready and committed to entering the electrical trade. Highlight any relevant experience such as construction or trade exposure, use of tools, health and safety knowledge, or practical subjects at school. If you are new to the industry, focus on attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn.

03

Get hired

To start an electrical apprenticeship, you must be employed by an electrical business. Some apprentices begin in entry level or support roles before formally starting their apprenticeship. Once employed, your work will be supervised by a registered electrician while you build practical experience on the job.

04

Sign your training agreement

Once employed, you, your employer, and EarnLearn agree on a training plan. This sets out what you will learn on the job, your off job training, how assessments are completed, and how progress is tracked over time. Your EarnLearn Account Manager will guide you through this process.

05

Onboard and start progressing

After induction, you begin building supervised electrical experience at work while completing on job and off job training. EarnLearn supports you with regular check ins, assessment planning, and practical guidance to help you stay on track through to completion and registration.

Electrical apprenticeships nationwide Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide training support Electrical apprenticeships nationwide Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide training support
Frequently Asked Questions

Electrical apprenticeships FAQs

Understand how electrical training works, what’s involved, and how you progress from apprentice to registered electrician.

An electrical apprenticeship combines paid, on job work with structured off job training. You are employed by an electrical business and learn practical skills under the supervision of a registered electrician while completing theory training with an approved provider.

Most learning happens through real electrical work such as installing, testing, fault finding, and maintaining electrical systems. Your training is supported by on job assessments, regular progress check ins, and guidance from your EarnLearn Account Manager. The structure is designed to fit around real work, not full time classroom study.

How the apprenticeship works →
Trainee FAQs →

Most electrical apprenticeships take around 3.5 to 4 years to complete, depending on your work exposure, training progression, and whether you have completed any prior study.

If you have already completed a relevant pre trade quaalification, your off job training time may be reduced. Progression is competency based, so steady on job experience and timely completion of assessments help keep things moving.

View the apprentice journey →

You will work towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4). This is a nationally recognised qualification and is the required trade qualification for electrical registration in New Zealand.

The apprenticeship includes both practical and theory unit standards and prepares you to sit the required Electrical Workers Registration Board exams as part of your pathway to becoming a registered electrician.

Electrical Trade (Level 4) →

Your training is aligned to the type of electrical work your employer carries out. This may include:

  • Domestic and commercial electrical work such as homes, retail, and commercial buildings

  • Industrial electrical work such as machinery, motors, control systems, and industrial installations

Where required, arrangements can be made to help you gain the range of experience needed to complete your qualification.

You’re supported throughout the apprenticeship by an EarnLearn Account Manager. They check in regularly with you and your employer, help plan assessments, answer questions, and step in early if any issues arise.

Support is ongoing from sign-up through to completion, ensuring training stays aligned with workplace realities and industry standards.

Learning Support →
Wellbeing Support→
Find your Account Manager→

Assessments are completed on the job using structured on job assessment booklets. You collect evidence as you work, such as completed tasks, job records, and supporting documentation.

When you are ready, a Te Pūkenga registered verifier reviews and signs off your work to confirm competency against national standards. Your EarnLearn Account Manager supports you with assessment planning, submission, and progress tracking throughout your apprenticeship.

Assessment process →
GET In touch

Start your career in the electrical industry

Starting an electrical apprenticeship is a big decision. Whether you’re just exploring the pathway or already working in the industry, we’re here to help you understand how the apprenticeship works, what’s involved, and what your next step could be.

Understand how an electrical apprenticeship works and what’s expected on the job

Get clarity on on-job and off-job training, licensing requirements, and how progression works over time

Talk through your situation and map out practical, achievable next steps

Send an enquiry

Share a few details and we will point you to the right next step.

electrical apprenticeship Get in touch

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