Plumbing, Gasfitting &
Drainlaying (PGD)
Training the next generation of trades people
NZ Certificates • Levels 3–5 • PGD Pathway

Progress through New Zealand’s PGD pathway: start with the Level 3 foundation (where applicable), complete the Level 4 apprenticeship, and continue on to Level 5 Plumbing. The apprenticeship builds practical capability and compliance knowledge across plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying or a combination that suits your goals.

What you’ll learn

Install, commission, and maintain plumbing systems: water, sanitary, and fixtures.

Install and test gasfitting systems and appliances safely and to regulations.

Carry out drainlaying tasks including pipework, site prep, and testing.

Interpret drawings and specifications to deliver compliant work.

Apply health & safety, environmental, and legal standards on site.

Choose your pathway

Select a single trade or combine trades (timeframes adjust automatically). Staying up to date with on-job tasks and block courses helps you finish on time.

Current selection:
Plumbing + Drainlaying

~ 4 years

Indicative durations

Plumbing + Gasfitting + Drainlaying: ~ 5 years

Plumbing + Gasfitting: ~ 4 years

Plumbing + Drainlaying: ~ 4 years

Plumbing only: ~ 3 years

Gasfitting only: ~ 3 years

Drainlaying only: ~ 2 years

Actual time varies by workplace exposure, assessment progress, and block course attendance.

Block Courses

Attend periodic theory courses to build technical knowledge alongside on-job training.

View block course schedules →

How the apprenticeship works

Earn while you learn: Full-time employment with structured training and support.

On-job + off-job: Competency tasks verified by your supervisor plus block courses.

Guidance & support: EarnLearn assessors and resources help you stay on track.

Progression: Consistent effort keeps you on time to complete registration requirements.

Career outcomes & registration

Work as a plumber, gasfitter, drainlayer or a combined PGD tradesperson.

Apply to the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB) for licensing or registration.

Pathways into supervision, certifying roles, contracting, or business ownership.

NEXT STEPS

How can EarnLearn help you?

Find the support that fits you, whether you’re training on the tools or building a capable team.

Train your PGD team with less admin.

EarnLearn supports plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying employers with workplace-led PGD training, clear milestones, and reliable progress reporting, so you can focus on the job while training stays on track.

What you get

  • Clear visibility of PGD apprentice progress across plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying
  • Structured milestones that reduce admin time and avoid delays
  • Consistent guidance that supports retention and completion
For employers →
Talk to us →

Stay on track from day one.

Get structured PGD support, clear evidence requirements, and regular check-ins, so you always know what to work on next and how to progress toward completion.

What you get 

  • Clear PGD milestones so you know what comes next
  • Support with evidence and assessment requirements
  • Regular check-ins to keep training moving and avoid delays
For trainees →
Talk to us →
PGD trainees

A clear pathway into
your trade

Earn while you learn with structured training, real-world experience, and ongoing support. We help apprentices understand what’s required at each stage and stay focused on progressing toward qualification.

For apprentices →
Two young trades workers wearing safety gear smile at the camera on a building site, with a modern black house in the background.
PGD employers

Built for employers who
want certainty

Hiring an apprentice is a commercial decision. We work alongside employers to manage training requirements, compliance, and progress so your trainee adds value to the business while staying on track.

For employers →
apprentice journey

What the PGD apprenticeship journey looks like

PGD apprenticeships are structured around trade-specific skills and real on-site experience. As you work, you build practical capability in your chosen trade while completing the training and evidence required for qualification and registration.

Plumbing focus
Build depth across complex plumbing systems and prepare for final assessment and registration

Capability
Confident installing, commissioning, and maintaining complex plumbing systems under supervision

Install and commission water supply systems
Carry out installation, testing, and commissioning of mains and low-pressure water systems in residential and commercial settings.

Install and maintain sanitary fixtures and plumbing systems
Fit, commission, and maintain toilets, basins, appliances, and associated pipework to industry and regulatory standards.

Work with hot water and heating systems
Install, commission, and maintain hot water systems, including mains pressure, low pressure, solar, and solid fuel systems.

Ensure building integrity and weather tightness
Install roofing penetrations, flashings, and pipework while maintaining weather tightness and building performance.

Apply compliance, safety, and regulatory requirements on site
Work safely on shared worksites, apply NZ regulations, and demonstrate compliant plumbing practice across all jobs.

What matters most in plumbing:

  • Plumbing work directly affects water safety, public health, and building performance
  • Maintaining building integrity and weather-tightness around penetrations is critical
  • Backflow prevention, hot water systems, and water supply compliance are high-risk areas
  • Work must meet New Zealand regulatory and documentation standards at all times

Compliance, system performance, and maintaining building integrity are central to professional plumbing practice.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

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

Capability
Competent carrying out advanced gasfitting work, including installation, testing, and fault-finding

Install and commission gas appliances and equipment
Install, test, and commission gas appliances and associated systems in line with safety and compliance requirements.

Install and maintain gas pipework and pressure systems
Select, position, install, and maintain consumer gas pipework, pressure controls, and gas supply systems.

Apply gas safety, testing, and fault-finding skills
Test gas installations, identify faults, and carry out safe rectification using approved procedures.

Manage ventilation, flues, and combustion requirements
Ensure gas appliances are correctly ventilated, flued, and operating safely within enclosed environments.

Work safely in high-risk and regulated environments
Apply gas safety legislation, work in contaminated environments, and meet strict regulatory standards on site.

What matters most in gasfitting:

  • Gasfitting is a safety-critical trade with strict regulatory and testing requirements
  • Appliance installation, ventilation, flues, and pressure control must be exact
  • Fault-finding and rectification must be carried out using approved procedures
  • Errors can have serious safety consequences, making compliance non-negotiable

Safe, precise, and regulation-aligned work is fundamental to gasfitting practice.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

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

Capability
Capable of installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting drainage and wastewater systems on site

Install and maintain foul water and stormwater systems
Install, test, and maintain drainage systems for foul water and stormwater in accordance with NZ standards.

Construct chambers, traps, and inspection systems
Install inspection chambers, interceptor traps, and trade waste systems accurately and safely.

Install pumped and gravity drainage systems
Work with pumped drainage, gravity systems, and associated infrastructure across varied site conditions.

Carry out excavation and trenching safely
Excavate, trench, and prepare sites for drainage work while managing ground conditions and services.

Install and maintain on-site wastewater systems
Install, commission, and maintain on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems where applicable.

What matters most in drainlaying:

  • Drainlaying involves complex underground systems and variable site conditions
  • Stormwater, foul water, pumped drainage, and wastewater systems must function reliably
  • Excavation, trenching, and ground management are core safety responsibilities
  • Poor drainage work can impact infrastructure, property, and the environment

Accuracy, safe excavation, and reliable system performance are critical to drainlaying work.

Need help with any of this? Get in touch

HOW IT WORKS

A clear, supported PGD pathway

EarnLearn works alongside plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying apprentices and employers to deliver practical, workplace-led training that meets licensing requirements without unnecessary complexity.

01

Get set up

We work with you and your employer to confirm the right PGD qualification pathway, licensing expectations, and training plan from day one, whether you are completing a single trade or working toward a combined PGD pathway.

02

Learn on the job

PGD training is mapped directly to real plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying tasks so skills are built on site, in real conditions, and supported by structured off-job learning where required.

03

Check in and track progress

Regular check-ins, clear milestones, and assessment support help apprentices progress through PGD competencies while giving employers visibility over training, performance, and compliance.

04

Stay supported

Pastoral care and wellbeing support help PGD apprentices stay motivated and on track, while employers receive guidance, issue resolution support, and a clear point of contact throughout the training journey.

05

Finish strong

We support apprentices through to completion, ensuring PGD skills are assessed, recognised, and aligned with registration and licensing requirements, so apprentices finish confident, capable, and work-ready.

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

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying FAQs

Quick answers for learners and employers about the New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying (Level 4)

Indicative completion times (actual time depends on workplace exposure and study progress):

  • Plumbing + Gasfitting + Drainlaying: ~5 years
  • Plumbing + Gasfitting: ~4 years
  • Plumbing + Drainlaying: ~4 years
  • Plumbing only: ~3 years
  • Gasfitting only: ~3 years
  • Drainlaying only: ~2 years

Staying on top of on-job tasks and attending block courses helps you finish on time.

The programme leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying (Level 4) [Ref: 2663].

Click link below to see NZQA for details

New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4) →

Off-job theory is delivered through scheduled block courses during the year. Current dates are published on the link below

See block course dates here →

We assist with recruitment/onboarding through our EarnLearn TradeMatch, structured training plans, assessor support, and pastoral care.

EarnLearn TradeMatch →
Wellbeing Support →
Learning Support →
GET In touch

Talk to us about plumbing, gasfitting & drainlaying apprenticeships

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

Confirm the right PGD pathway and expected timeframe

Understand evidence, assessments, and block course 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.

plumbing gasfitting drainlaying apprenticeship Get in touch

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