Builder/Carpenter
Builders plan, supervise, and work on the construction and alteration of buildings, from initial plans through to completion.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Strong building and carpentry skills, planning and organisational ability, and confidence interpreting drawings and running a business. Requires knowledge of building methods, materials, safety regulations, and how to deal with local authorities and other contractors.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Accurate, safety-conscious, and firm when dealing with people, with good judgement and self-motivation to find their own work. Needs steady hands, good hand-eye co-ordination, and to be fit, healthy, and strong.
On-Job Training Structure
Building skills are gained on the job, with further knowledge built through business and building courses after completing a carpentry apprenticeship.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1 (English, Maths, Workshop Tech)
Entry Requirements
Pre-Apprenticeship Course (Recommended)
Qualification Level
Carpentry Apprenticeship + Experience
Work Environment
Building Sites (Indoor & Outdoor)
Bricklayer
Bricklayers lay bricks, tiles, and building blocks to construct buildings, walls, arches, and chimneys.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Practical bricklaying skills and the ability to work to a building plan, along with strong people, communication, and listening skills. Requires knowledge of bricklaying methods and materials, interpreting building plans, decorating styles, and maths for calculating quantities and costs.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Accurate, precise, and self-motivated, with an eye for detail and the ability to work well independently or in a team. Needs to be healthy and very fit with strong arms and back, good hand-eye co-ordination, and free from skin conditions like dermatitis.
On-Job Training Structure
Apprentices train on the job under a qualified bricklayer and attend block courses at polytechnic, gaining a National Certificate in Bricklaying after 8,000 hours of practical work.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1 (English, Maths, Graphics, Science)
Entry Requirements
Health & Safety Passport
Driver’s Licence Preferred
Qualification Level
National Certificate in Bricklaying
Practical Hours Required
8,000 Hours
Joiner
Joiners measure, cut, prepare, and assemble timber to make doors, window frames, stairs, and kitchens.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Strong communication skills to understand client needs, the ability to visualise a finished product, and skill using woodworking tools and machinery. Requires knowledge of woodworking techniques, how timbers respond to cutting and gluing, reading plans and technical drawings, basic maths, and safety procedures.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Alert and safety-conscious, practical, accurate, and a good problem-solver. Needs steady hands, good hand-eye co-ordination, and reasonable fitness and strength for occasional heavy lifting.
On-Job Training Structure
Skills are gained on the job with block courses at polytechnics, with options to specialise in timber machining, kitchen making, stairs, or exterior joinery.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1 (English, Maths, Graphics, Workshop Tech)
Entry Requirements
Current NZ Driver’s Licence
Qualification Level
National Certificate in Joinery
Work Environment
Joinery Workshops & Factories
Painter & Decorator
Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes to the interior and exterior surfaces of buildings.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Good communication skills to understand client needs and avoid costly mistakes, along with painting technique, planning, and calculation skills. Requires knowledge of paints, wall coverings, surface preparation, painting methods, and health and safety precautions.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Practical, quick, accurate, reliable, punctual, and tidy, with a good sense of colour. Needs good eyesight and hand-eye co-ordination, along with fitness and a strong back and knees for moving furniture and scaffolding.
On-Job Training Structure
Apprentices learn their skills on the job and attend block courses, gaining a National Certificate in Painting and Decorating on completion.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1 (English, Maths, Science, Graphics)
Entry Requirements
Current NZ Driver’s Licence
Qualification Level
National Certificate in Painting and Decorating
Work Environment
Interior & Exterior Sites
Plumber, Gasfitter & Drainlayer
Plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers assemble, install, and repair the pipes, fixtures, and fittings used to supply water and gas or remove wastes.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Strong communication, problem-solving, organisation, and practical skills, with an eye for detail and the ability to interpret figures and drawings. Requires knowledge of plumbing materials and methods, building and safety regulations, soldering and welding, and reading plans.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Practical, patient, honest, accurate, and safety-conscious, comfortable working at heights alone or in a team. Needs to be fit and healthy with good hand-eye co-ordination and upper body strength for lifting.
On-Job Training Structure
Apprentices complete 8,000-hour apprenticeships on-site, combined with block courses and distance learning, gaining a National Certificate and the option to become registered drainlayers.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1–2 (Maths, Science, Graphics, Engineering)
Entry Requirements
Pre-Apprenticeship Course
Current NZ Driver’s Licence
Qualification Level
National Certificate (8,000hr Apprenticeship)
Work Environment
Homes, Commercial & Industrial Sites
Roofer
A roofer repairs or constructs roofs using a variety of materials such as roofing iron, tiles, shingles, and butyl.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Strong calculation skills for measuring and cutting roofing materials, along with practical, well-organised work habits and an eye for detail. Requires knowledge of roof construction and repair, roofing materials, the NZ Building Code, health and safety legislation, and reading building plans.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Safety-conscious, comfortable with heights, and able to work unsupervised, staying alert, quick, and efficient. Needs strong arms and back, reasonable fitness, good hand-eye co-ordination, and a good sense of balance.
On-Job Training Structure
Roofers gain their skills on the job and attend block course training, often working flexible hours that exclude wet weather.
Education Standard
NCEA Level 1 (English, Maths, Graphics, Workshop Tech)
Entry Requirements
Current NZ Driver’s Licence
Qualification Level
On-Job Training + Block Courses
Work Environment
Construction Sites (Not in Rain)
Electrician
An electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring and electrical or electronic equipment.
Core Tasks & Duties
Skills & Personal Qualities
Skills & Knowledge: Strong technical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing electrical faults and installing cables, equipment, and fittings, along with excellent communication and record-keeping ability. Requires knowledge of electrical theory, trade practices, legislation, codes of practice, and basic first aid and CPR.
Personal Attributes & Physicality: Accurate, practical, methodical, and safety-conscious, self-motivated and logical whether working alone or in a team. Needs good eyesight, normal colour vision, and good hand-eye co-ordination.
On-Job Training Structure
Apprentices train under a registered electrician and complete the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering plus an electrical regulations exam to gain registration with the Electrical Workers’ Registration Board.