E-tec is coming to the Kapiti Coast

When does the ako start?

The E-tec Ōtaki learning centre will open early next year, and will be delivering three of our core programmes for tradespeople.

Our Associated Tradesperson programme is perfect for registered plumbers and gasfitters who work with electricity as part of their main role. Any tradesperson who has to carry out electrical work as part of their job would benefit from this course. It covers the major topics you need to know for things like water heater installation, or waste disposal units, without going into detail in the areas where you will leave the mahi to qualified electricians. This course will prepare you for the EWRB examination, allowing you to apply for your practicing licence.

The Electrical Service Technician course is ideal for those servicing commercial refrigeration units and maintaining 3-phase electrical equipment. It is also suitable If you already have an EAS or EASQ certificate, and want to get involved with more complex work. The course covers topics like electric motors and starter, testing appliances up to 1000 volts and 3-phase electrical systems.

We will also be offering our Electrical Competence programme, a great refresher course for already registered sparkies looking to renew their EWRB practicing licence.

Find out more about our programmes here. 

What are we doing to keep you safe during COVID-19 Alert Level 3? 

What sort of health and safety requirements can we expect? 

Holding in-person training does mean we must have some strict rules in place – and it’s important everyone follows these.

Your arrival on site 

• If you are coming to a pre-arranged class, you’ll need to park at the rear of the building and enter via the rear door. You must wear a face mask at all times whilst inside the building. 
• Please maintain the 2m physical distancing as you enter the building and scan the Covid-19 QR code poster displayed at the entrance. 
• There will be signage directing you to the appropriate area, where you’ll be required to clean your hands with hand sanitiser before signing a Contact Tracing Register. 
• This Register asks you to declare that: 

• • you have not been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 symptoms 
  • you have no Covid-19 symptoms yourself. 

• The Register will also require your personal contact details, so that the Government can trace you and your contacts in the event of an outbreak. 
• Your tutor will meet you in the designated area and take you through a site induction, provide you with appropriate PPE and explain the safe distancing and hygiene protocols. 
• You must maintain a 1m safe distance from your classmates at all times.  
• Working surfaces and test equipment will be thoroughly cleaned at the start and end of each day. All tools brought to site must be cleaned using the antiseptic wipes provided before the class commences and should be left on site until the end of your course – at that point, they will need to be thoroughly cleaned before they can be removed. 

Additional information 

• Our COVID-19 Safety Plan has been developed in accordance with WorkSafe guidelines. You can view it here. 
• E-tec will remain closed to visitors. If you’d like to speak to someone about your course or training needs, you can contact admin@etec.ac.nz  or 0800 030 500. 
• If you wish to bring food on site, you are welcome to use the spacious E-tec cafeteria for your meals and breaks, provided you keep appropriate social distancing and hygiene standards. 
• Please be aware that other classes may also be operating in the same building at the same time – so you must maintain a safe 2m distance from everyone outside your class as well during the time you are on E-tec premises. 

We really appreciate your cooperation in helping us to maintain these health and safety protocols – but it is also important to point out that we will need to ask anyone not well, or not adhering to the rules, to leave the site immediately. 

If you become concerned about anyone breaching the rules, or believe a fellow classmate may be unwell, talk to your tutor immediately or contact the manager at E-tec on (027) 777 4405. 

Virtual Training Now Available

How the virtual courses work

All three of these courses are EWRB approved, so just like the face-to-face courses you’ll be able to prepare for your exams with proper professional support, the difference is that you can do it from home or the office instead of a classroom.

The courses have been designed to keep people engaged, keep learning on track and also mimic the type of learning you would do in the real world. This is achieved through a mix of video chats, live and interactive classroom-like presentations, slides, chats and screen sharing. You’ll be able to see and hear your course tutors in real time, as well as ask questions and talk to other students. Better yet, in courses where it’s applicable, you’ll be able to get close up views of live demonstrations.

How to sign up

Signing up is easy. Just choose the course you want to do i.e. Electrical Regulations, Electrician’s Theory or Electrical Installer Theory and make your booking using the enrolment button. Then when your booking is being processed our staff will ask you if you’d prefer to learn in the classroom or virtually. The costs for virtual and classroom-based courses is the same, and this fee includes the cost for your EWRB exam.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more send a message here or call us on 0800 030 500.

Night Classes at E-tec

Why Plumbers Should Get Their Associated Tradesperson Licence

There are serious repercussions for any unlicensed work – for good reason. Those performing unlicensed work could end up with fines as high as $50,000 for individuals, $250,000 for companies, and/or time in court.

So, what can you do?

The good news is that it’s simple to get licensed. To get licensed you just need to:

• be a registered plumber or gasfitter with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)
• pass an EWRB-approved Associated Tradespersons’ theory exam
• pass an EWRB-approved Associated Tradespersons’ practical assessment
• complete approved safety training within the prescribed time frame.

E-tec is a specialist training provider for electrical work and providers for the EWRB approved Associate Tradesperson courses and practical assessments. E-tec’s Associated Tradesperson course allows plumbers and gasfitters nationwide to get qualified to carry out authorised electrical work. The course is made up of distance learning before a three-day practical course, followed by an external exam.

The course runs regularly in Auckland but can be run ‘on request’ in other centres if there are enough enrolments. Contact E-tec to find out more today on 09 573 1964 or email admin@etec.ac.nz.

For full information on what work the Associated Tradesperson License permits you to carry out, visit the EWRB website.