Electrical Employers
Train, retain, and qualify apprentices with support that sticks
electrical employer

Expand your workforce of
qualified electricians

Build long-term capability in your business with a structured electrical apprenticeship pathway.
EarnLearn supports you to train safe, competent electricians in real workplaces, while we manage the training framework, assessments, and compliance requirements behind the scenes.

  • Safety-first capability: Apprentices develop core electrical skills, site safety awareness, and compliance knowledge through supervised, real-world work.

  • Clear progression: Training follows a recognised Level 4 electrical pathway, covering on-job experience and off-job theory required for registration.

  • Employer-backed support: EarnLearn coordinates training, assessments, progress tracking, and check-ins so apprentices stay on track and productive.

Fees & funding →
How it works →

Employer snapshot

WHAT YOU'LL GET
Training coordination, assessment support, regular progress check-ins, and clear expectations for both you and your apprentice.

WHAT AFFECTS YOUR COST
Paid hours, supervision time, off-job training time away from the workplace, programme fees, and any funding your apprentice may be eligible for.

Looking to hire?
Use EarnLearn TradeMatch to connect with people who are keen to train and build a career in electrical.

How it works

How electrical training works

A practical apprenticeship pathway that builds safe, work-ready electricians while EarnLearn manages the training framework, assessments, and compliance.

Work-ready training on your sites

Your apprentice is employed in your business and learns on real worksites under your supervision. They develop hands-on electrical skills, safe work practices, and site awareness while contributing to day-to-day operations.

EarnLearn supports this with a clear training plan aligned to your scope of work, equipment, and safety requirements.

See the pathway →

Recognised electrical pathways aligned to your business

Apprentices are enrolled in a nationally recognised electrical apprenticeship leading to the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) Level 4. This qualification is the industry benchmark and forms the foundation for future registration and licensing.

The training pathway can be aligned to the type of work your business undertakes, whether that is domestic and commercial installations, industrial environments, or a mix of both. This flexibility allows apprentices to develop relevant skills while contributing meaningfully to your operation, rather than following a one size fits all model.

EarnLearn works with you to ensure apprentices gain the breadth of experience required across their apprenticeship. Where certain work types are not available in your business, we help plan solutions so apprentices can still meet qualification requirements without placing unnecessary burden on you.

NZQA →

Practical assessments with minimal disruption

On job assessments are completed in your workplace while apprentices carry out normal, productive tasks. There is no need to set up artificial assessment environments or pause operations to meet assessment requirements.

EarnLearn manages the assessment process end to end. This includes planning assessment timing, confirming evidence requirements, supporting registered assessors, and handling moderation and reporting. The goal is to keep assessments efficient, compliant, and aligned with how your business already operates.

This approach reduces downtime, limits admin, and ensures assessments support learning without interfering with productivity or site schedules.

How assessments work →

Ongoing oversight and employer support

You are not expected to manage the apprenticeship on your own. EarnLearn provides structured oversight throughout the apprenticeship, with regular progress check ins, clear training milestones, and proactive communication.

We work with both you and your apprentice to ensure expectations are understood, progress stays on track, and any issues are identified early. This includes guidance on training responsibilities, support for on job assessors, and advice around balancing work demands with training requirements.

If challenges arise, EarnLearn steps in early to provide practical support and solutions. This reduces risk, improves retention, and gives you confidence that the apprenticeship is being actively managed.

MyPortal →
Find your Account Manager →

From apprentice to qualified electrician

As apprentices complete their on job experience, off job theory, and all required unit standards, they achieve the Level 4 electrical qualification. This makes them eligible to apply for registration with the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

For your business, this means developing a fully qualified electrician who understands your systems, standards, safety expectations, and ways of working. Rather than recruiting externally, you retain someone trained within your operation who is ready to contribute at a higher level from day one.

Many employers see strong long term value in growing their own workforce through this pathway, improving capability, retention, and succession planning.

Talk to us about training an apprentice →
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

Cost of an apprentice

Curious how much an apprentice will cost you?

Understanding the true cost of employing an apprentice is key to workforce planning. Training fees, paid hours, supervision time, and potential funding all play a role, and the numbers can vary depending on your business and the stage of training.

We’ll help you understand what applies to you, outline likely costs, and explain what funding or support may be available, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

Use our calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions

Electrical employer FAQs

Understand what your training costs include and how payments work.

Your total cost typically includes four areas:

1. Wages and paid time
You pay your apprentice as an employee. Many employers also continue paying wages when the apprentice attends daytime off-job training, so it is worth planning for that time away from the job. 

2. Training and programme fees
Training fees can include off-job training, the EWRB trainee licence, on-job assessment material, reporting credits, and other industry requirements that keep the qualification current. These fees can be paid by the apprentice or the employer, and some employers choose to reimburse fees at the end of each year to balance accountability and retention. 

3. Employer contribution
There is an industry contribution paid by the employer to cover the cost of keeping electrical qualifications up to date in New Zealand. This is $525 incl. GST per year, per apprentice. 

4. Tools and gear
Some apprentices start without a full tool kit. Common approaches are providing a required tool list before day one, allowing use of company tools initially, or agreeing a staged tool purchase plan that suits your business. 

How the apprenticeship works →
Fees & Funding for employers →

Electrical apprentices work towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4). Once completed, they can apply for registration with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).

Timeframe: most apprentices complete in around 3.5 to 4 years, depending on work exposure, off-job training schedules, and steady progress through unit standards and assessments. The programme is based on unit standards and typically equates to around 7,000 hours of practical work experience across the apprenticeship.

Specialties: apprentices can be enrolled under Domestic and Commercial or Industrial, and if your business covers both areas, they can be signed up into both specialties.

Expect supervision to be highest at the beginning, then reduce as competence grows. The apprenticeship is designed so the apprentice learns while contributing to real work, not as an extra project running in parallel.

Your role as an employer includes:

  • Showing the apprentice how tasks are done and why, including safe working practices

  • Providing day-to-day guidance and opportunities to build practical competence

  • Ensuring there is enough variety of work over time so they can meet unit standards requirements

A practical way to plan this internally is to nominate a primary supervisor (often the owner, foreman, or a senior electrician) who works closely with the apprentice so training is consistent.

If your workload is specialised or seasonal and you cannot provide the full range of experience, it is common to arrange a plan where apprentices are swapped or loaned out to gain missing exposure.

EarnLearn manages the training framework, assessments, moderation, and progress tracking. We stay in regular contact, address issues early, and provide clear visibility of progress and next steps.

You get a single point of contact and confidence that training remains compliant and on track.

Learning Support →
Wellbeing Support→
Find your Account Manager→
GET In touch

Talk to us about Electrical apprenticeships

Whether you are an apprentice starting out or an employer building electrical capability, we will help you confirm the right electrical apprenticeship pathway and get training underway.

Confirm the right electrical apprenticeship pathway and expected timeframe

Understand evidence, assessments and requirements

Get a clear plan so progress stays on track

Send an enquiry

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

Tip: If you are an employer, include how many apprentices you want to train.

electrical apprenticeship Get in touch

Trainees

Trainee Information

Fees & Funding

Trainee FAQs

Employers

Employer Information

Assessors & Moderators

Employer FAQs

Get in touch

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm: 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT)

support@earnlearn.ac.nz

© EarnLearn

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Statement