Electrical Engineering
1. Do I need practical experience in the electrical industry?
2. Will my age go against me getting a Electrical apprenticeship?
3. How long will I have to study for to become a registered electrician?
4. Where do I get the practical experience?
5. Can I complete my qualification and get registered any quicker?
6. Are there any external examinations for the electrical courses?
7. I have had previous experience in the electrical field can this be taken into consideration?
8. Do I need to be working in the electrical industry to complete my qualification?
9. Who checks my on job work?
10. If the system is competency based why is there a set minimum time for the practical experience?
1. Do I need practical experience in the electrical industry?
Yes. Your study with Open Polytechnic will give you the underpinning knowledge. The practical experience gives you the application of this knowledge and with it understanding.
2. Will my age go against me getting a Electrical apprenticeship?
No. The majority of employers do not consider age when employing an apprentice.
3. How long will I have to study for to become a registered electrician?
The study requirements to gain the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Level 4 usually takes 3 to 4 years. Once the Level 4 certificate has been achieved registration as an electrician is automatic.
4. Where do I get the practical experience?
You will get the practical experience in your employment in the electrical industry.
5. Can I complete my qualification and get registered any quicker?
No. The practical requirements for registration as an electrician are that you complete a minimum of 8000 hours of the work of an electrician. This must include at least 2000 hours general installation work.
6. Are there any external examinations for the electrical courses?
Yes. There are two external examinations. One for Electrical Theory and one for Electricity Regulations. Both are 3 hours long and are held in June and November each year. These examinations are administered by The Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
7. I have had previous experience in the electrical field can this be taken into consideration?
Yes. If you are a trainee with a registered training agreement you can apply to the Industry Training Organisation for that experience to be recognised.
8. Do I need to be working in the electrical industry to complete my qualification?
For the Level 3 & 4 qualification Yes. This qualification is made up of unit standards that are completed on-job and off-job.
For the Level 2 qualification No. This qualification is made up of off-job units. The practical component of these unit standards is assessed at a block course.
9. Who checks my on job work?
Your on-job assessor will check your on-job work. Your progress is recorded in a work task log book.
10. If the system is competency based why is there a set minimum time for the practical experience?
The registration authority (EWRB) have set 8000 hours as the minimum time in which a trainee can obtain the necessary skills to allow that trainee to apply for registration as an electrician.
