Programme overview
If you want to make a start in plumbing, gasfitting, and/or drainlaying and don’t have an apprenticeship agreement, this certificate will set you on your way. Gain a broad knowledge of plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying in this pre-trade qualification before choosing the area where you'd like to specialise.
This programme will cover water supply systems, building envelopes, drainlaying, plumbing maintenance, and safe working procedures. Upon successful completion, you will be capable of assisting with installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying work under supervision. You'll be ready to enter into an apprenticeship that will lead to a New Zealand Level 4 trade qualification in one or more of these areas.
Highlights
- It is ideal to start in the plumbing, gasfitting, and drain laying industries if you do not have an apprenticeship agreement.
- It gives you a solid understanding of all areas to better inform your choice of specialisation
- Unit standard credits achieved in this programme may be cross-credited into Unitec's apprenticeship programmes - refer to the Qualification pathway section below.
- Assist licensed Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers safely and effectively.
- Work in Unitec's brand new trade skills building, Mataaho - a fantastic new purpose-built facility for all trades
Qualification pathway
This programme does not enable graduates to practice as qualified plumbers, gasfitters, or drain layers, but it is the ideal foundation to prepare for an apprenticeship and to become fully qualified with further study in the apprenticeship programmes below. Unit standard credits gained in this qualification may contribute towards these apprenticeship qualifications.
- New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing
- New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting
- New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying
Funding your study
We have scholarships and fees free options that are specifically created to support you in maintaining your ongoing course of study.
Admission requirements
For this programme, you will need:
1. To be 16 years old by the time the programme starts
2. Completed NCEA Level 1 with 10 credits in English and 10 credits in Mathematics.
3. If English is not your first language, you will need one or more of the following:
- Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
- Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
- Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years
Don't meet these requirements? We also accept:
- Provide sufficient evidence to be eligible for special or discretionary admission.
For more information, download the programme regulations:
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Safety Skills for PGD (CIBC3190) | 18.0 credits (0.15 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of essential safety responses, and how to apply them in given situations. |
| Patterns, Tools, and Regulatory and Ethical Considerations (CIBC3200) | 14.0 credits (0.117 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of the regulatory and personal ethical framework; and the ability to work capably when interacting with tools, drawings, and sheet metal. |
| Introduction to Drainlaying (CIBC3210) | 11.0 credits (0.092 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of the regulatory and personal ethical framework; and the ability to work capably when interacting with tools, drawings, and sheet metal. |
| Introduction to Plumbing (CIBC3220) | 23.0 credits (0.192 EFTS) | To provide learners with an overview of plumbing as a career and the knowledge and skills related to water basics, water supply pipework and basic sanitary plumbing systems |
| Introduction to Gasfitting (CIBC3230) | 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) | To provide learners with an overview of gasfitting as a career and an overview of the trade science in gasfitting including knowledge of gasfitting safety requirements. |
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Safety Skills for PGD (CIBC3190) | 18.0 credits (0.15 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of essential safety responses, and how to apply them in given situations. |
| Patterns, Tools, and Regulatory and Ethical Considerations (CIBC3200) | 14.0 credits (0.117 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of the regulatory and personal ethical framework; and the ability to work capably when interacting with tools, drawings, and sheet metal. |
| Introduction to Drainlaying (CIBC3210) | 11.0 credits (0.092 EFTS) | To provide learners with working knowledge of the regulatory and personal ethical framework; and the ability to work capably when interacting with tools, drawings, and sheet metal. |
| Introduction to Plumbing (CIBC3220) | 23.0 credits (0.192 EFTS) | To provide learners with an overview of plumbing as a career and the knowledge and skills related to water basics, water supply pipework and basic sanitary plumbing systems |
| Introduction to Gasfitting (CIBC3230) | 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) | To provide learners with an overview of gasfitting as a career and an overview of the trade science in gasfitting including knowledge of gasfitting safety requirements. |
