Plumbing Terrapin

Can anyone advise the best way to get CITB qualifications assessed. Currently a UK Gas Safe Commercial Heating Engineer. 30 years experience. No City &Guilds quals. Redo CITB every 5 years. Want to move to New Zealand as soon as we can if we can overcome this hurdle. Thanks

MrsFychan

Hi and Welcome to BE.

Maybe have a look here: https://www.pgdb.co.nz/

Plumbing Terrapin

Thanks for the welcome. We have tried there and they want him to do a 6 month course at a cost of NZ$ 7000 for a qualication less than already held

escapedtonz

I don't think you have any other option, however a mate of mine was the same in the UK so will ask him what he did a few years ago when he came over and post when he replies.

Don't expect there's much demand for heating engineers (residential or commercial) ?

BEVS

What exactly has he done by way of professional formal training please. What GasSafe modules does he hold ? The CITB card isn't really a substitute for an apprenticeship. It is simply a form of ID card in a way that the tradesman has the exp and quals for whatever specific work he does. In your case or your OH's case the specific Gas Safe module(s) are what would be pertinent. For anyone looking in Gas Safe is the replacement name for what was CORGI.

I can explain further about how NZ PGDB views overseas plumbers/gasfitters and how they match and decide if someone meets the NZ standards or not. I speak as the wife of a fully qualified advanced UK C&G plumber/gasfitter and now an NZ craftsman certifying plumber/gasfitter.

I will say that if the PGDB are willing to offer him the chance to NZ upskill , even at a cost to you, then this is a chance for one foot in the door. The other foot is going to be getting a job offer when he may well not have the gasfitting skills more usually used or needed in NZ.

escapedtonz

Got a reply. This is what he said:

"He needs to contact Skills register in NZ - not nzqa or pgdb - should be able to Google them.
They asses his qualifications and experience together so any added info like cv, references etc all count to paint a picture of his skills and experience over the past 30 years. Then if they are happy he gets a job moves here and gets 12 months to take and pass the kiwi gas qualifications.

BEVS

Skills dot Org <--- click the link, could be useful in that they could match the person to an employer willing to apprentice , train and upskill the overseas tradesman. For the plumbing and gasfitting trade the assessment will essentially be looking for the exact same level of quals and work exp as the Plumbing Board. It must by law. Skills dot Org are permitted to carry out an assessment on the behalf of the PBDG. If the level ( level 4) does not match then the person will be required to upskill and train to the NZ national certified standard before being permitted to take the registration exam to qualify to work as a gasfitter in NZ.

If Skills dot Org or perhaps a recruitment agency or even an employer felt they wished to employ you , then you would be allowed to work within the gasfitting trade under a limited or exempted license. Likely the rate of pay would reflect that. As stated once on the limited or exempt license the overseas person has a maximum of one year only to become able and competent enough to sit the registration exam. They can only do that though if they are deemed to be of the right standard via qual , work exp and training. Level 4. Anything less requires paid training.

Gas fitters are not in shortage here in New Zealand at the moment so any employer offering some form of employment is going to have to prove there is noone already resident here in NZ that could do or be trained for the work. Unless the employer is NZ immigration accredited , then they can offer that person the work . All this is provided the PDGB are willing to approve an application for a license .

What may be helpful here is his commercial experience ,depending on how diverse the person has been during his working life. It may be that something may be available outside of gas. Perhaps oil .

Plumbing Terrapin

Thanks

BEVS

You are very welcome. Just sorry it isn't better or easier news. At least the Plumbing Board of NZ is now recognising that some overseas uk tradesmen from other countries may not necessarily have done the nvq/C&G route but something more tailored to one type of work so to speak. A while back it would have been an outright rejection so that is why we are saying to grab the offer of the training if that comes up, particularly as there is not a shortage of gasfitters at this moment.

If you are truly set on emigrating to New Zealand then please do not stop trying. If he can find a job offer then a 6 month upskill to gain the Nat Cert in NZ Gasfitting is nothing in the grand scheme of things . From there he could then go on to become NZ registered if he passes the exam for that. ( Note two arenot one and the same. One is the qualification and one is a test of competence to uplift the license)

If he is used to commercial boilers then I still think oil may be his way in particularly if the employer is accredited.

My suggestion is that before going any further re NZ gas quals and licensing , that you both search hard for a prospective employer. A job offer. That is everything right now. A golden egg.

As suggested Skillsdotorg may be able to dovetail a job offer with training . They should know the drill when it comes to visa applications & employer approval with NZ Immy. Nothing to lose at all by contacting them on this.

There is not so much reticulated gas around New Zealand but it does exist on the North Island so look there. Note that LPG is more common.

Try contacting HAYS & TRADESTAFF recruitment & have a chat. You just never know.

Good luck.