Who can be an electrical supervisor – Common FAQ

Here at E-tec we get a lot of enquiries about who can be an electrical supervisor, what their responsibilities are and what training is required, if any at all. As a result, we’ve pulled together a hand list for frequently asked questions to help you get the answers you need.

The Definition of a Supervisor

According to the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), “Supervision, in relation to any work, means that the work is undertaken under such control and direction of a person authorised under this Act to do the work [or, in the case of section 76, a person authorised to supervise work under that section] as is sufficient to ensure— 

1. That the work is performed competently; and 
2. That while the work is being undertaken, appropriate safety measures are adopted; and 
3. That the completed work complies with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.”

Source: ewrb.govt.nz

Does an electrical supervisor have to be working for the same company as the trainee? 

No, the supervisor does not have to be from the same company of the trainee. However, before a trainee nominates a supervisor outside of his/her company, the nominated supervisor must ensure that they understand what the responsibilities are. This information can be found on the EWRB website.

Does a supervisor need to have at least 3 years of experience in the industry? 

No, this is no longer an EWRB requirement. Any registered person holding a current practicing license can be a supervisor.

Who can be my supervisor if I am self-employed? 

This person may be a staff member, a contractor, or any other professional relationship you have, as long as the requirements of the supervision Guidelines of the EWRB are being followed. For more details take a look at the Supervision for Trainees Holding a Limited Certificate on the EWRB website.

Does a supervisor have to hold a practising license of the same level as the one the trainee is applying for? 

Yes, the supervisor must hold an equivalent or higher license. For example, if a trainee is applying for an EASQ license, the supervisor can be an EST, Electrical Installer, Electrician, or Inspector. However, a supervisor holding an EAS license cannot supervise a trainee applying for an EASQ.

Does a supervisor need to be an accredited assessor? 

The term supervisor in this capacity means a “Supervisor of Electrical Work.” This means they do not have to be a 4098 Unit standard assessor and they do not have to have any other assessor accreditations. The EWRB Registration and current practicing license are the only requirements of the EWRB.

What are the responsibilities of a supervisor? 

The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the trainee is appropriately supervised at all times by someone who is authorised to perform supervision (normally a registered person), according to the requirements of their workplace and industry. The supervisor and the person who takes on the supervision of the trainee (the delegated supervisor) must know and understand the EWRB guidelines.

The supervisor must ensure that:

• the work is performed competently; and while the work is being undertaken that appropriate safety measures are adopted; and that the completed work complies with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act. 
• the trainee has adequate hazard management skills for the worksite and is not exposed to any hazards they are not able to manage.

This means the supervisor must be familiar with the work the trainee is doing and be available to oversee and provide training and support as required. They must also be able to test and perform any required certification of any work performed by the trainee.

What work must be supervised? 
Ordinarily supervisors are not expected to sight and direct every aspect of the electrical worker’s work. However, a supervisor should be actively and frequently involved with the electrical worker and their work. The supervisor is required to exercise judgement, so that the level of supervision is suitable in each case.

What are the responsibilities of a trainee? 
The trainee must:

• Know his/her limitations.
• Ensure their own safety.
• Use any issued PPE and check it before use.
• Seek advice from their supervisor if unsure or need help.
• Follow the directions of their supervisor.

Does a supervisor have to write a letter for the EWRB at the end of the trainee’s apprenticeship?
Yes, on completion of the apprenticeship, the employer (along with the supervisor nominated) or the supervisor will be required to confirm the following to the EWRB:

• that the required period of time has been completed.
• that the work experience the trainee received meets the supervisor’s satisfaction.
• that the trainee, once registered, would be able to undertake the work permitted of a registered person.

Where can I get more information?

The EWRB clearly lays out everything supervisors or prospective supervisors need to know on their website. Just visit https://www.ewrb.govt.nz/for-registered-electrical-workers/supervision/

Electrical Inspector Training Now Available  

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.test.

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

Signing up to an Electrical course? Here’s advice on how to improve your chances of passing

It takes a lot of will power to set time aside to do course pre-reading, especially when you’re busy and reading isn’t your favourite past time. Doing the pre-reading means you’ll have context when you do the training, so you can focus on what the tutor is saying and the additional advice they’re giving – something that will pay off big time when it comes to the exam.

Take notes

Write down anything you think will be important or useful in the exam. It doesn’t matter if your writing is messy, if you have bad grammar or you make a spelling mistake, the act of writing something down helps commit it to memory and means you have something to read over and study before you go into the exam.

Check you’ve copied equations correctly

When copying formulas and equations from the board, it pays to make sure you’ve copied things down correctly and neatly enough for you to read correctly at a later date. This is the one time it needs to be clear if something is a 9 or 4, or if it’s to the power of 3 or 8. Messing up a formula when you write it down can make your life a misery, so take the time to check you’ve got it down correctly.

Ask questions

If you’re not sure about something, ask. No one is going to judge you for it. In fact, there are probably two or three other people in the room, who will be silently thanking you for asking the tutor to explain in a bit more detail. Our tutors have seen and heard it all before and they want you to pass, so if in doubt about something, ask, if you want to check you’ve understood something correctly, then you guessed it….Ask. At the end of the day you’re in this for you, so forget about what everyone else thinks and ask the questions you need to – You’ll be glad you did when it comes to exam time.

Take the time to study

We know, this sounds about as sexy and exciting as doing the course pre-reading, but here’s the thing – It’s not meant to be fun, it’s meant to fill your head with knowledge, so you can pass your exam and be confident in what you’re doing when you’re out on the job. Read over your notes regularly in the lead up to the exam, get a mate or a colleague to test your knowledge through Q&A and see if you can get someone certified to show you the ropes on practical work or explain things you’re still a but unsure about.

Follow these tips and tricks and you’ll be setting yourself up for success. Not only will you get more out of your training, you’ll also be much more likely to pass the exam.

What Covid 19 alert level 4 means for your training

 For all New Zealand Certificate students, online delivery will continue uninterrupted as the tutors will be able to support your learning and assessment activity online. This may be a great opportunity for you to make some solid progress with your studies.

For the time being, we will continue to accept enrolments for courses commencing in May onwards, however, please be aware that in some cases times and dates may change due to the evolving nature of the current situation.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your individual circumstances via admin@shift.org.nz

Please rest assured that we will keep you updated. This is an evolving situation and it’s important to us that you know what’s happening and how any changes will affect you. If we have any further updates in the coming days, weeks and months, we will be in touch to let you know.

Update from the EWRB

The EWRB has created a series of FAQs which includes information around competence programme cancellations due to the lockdown restrictions and its impact on electrical licensing.