Explore your options
At Unitec, we prepare plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers for work in our pre-apprenticeship and in-apprenticeship training programmes.
In pre-apprenticeship training, you’ll carry out tasks using the proper industry standard equipment in our new trades training building, Mataaho, that has dedicated space for plumbing, drainlaying, and gasfitting training including the specialist gas labs with commercial and domestic appliances.
In our apprenticeship programmes, we assist you to work towards you plumbing, gasfitting and/or drainlaying registration in our apprenticeship programmes. At apprenticeship level (Level 4) in plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting, you can enrol in one or multiple programmes and increase your skills and employability. Click here to find out more about apprenticeship training at Unitec.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying | 3 | 20 weeks full-time (3 days a week) | Apprentice Plumber, Apprentice Gasfitter, Apprentice Drainlayer | January, or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying | 4 | Part-time for up to 2 years | Tradesman Drainlayer | February, April, July or October |
| New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting | 4 | Part-time for up to 4 years | Tradesman Gasfitter | February, April, July, or October |
| New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing | 4 | 4 years part-time | Tradesman Plumber | February, April, July, or October |
Short courses
| Short courses | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Backflow Prevention: Backflow Basics | This short course will provide you with a basic understanding of Backflow Prevention within New Zealand. The course focuses on New Zealand legislative and installation requirements. It also covers... |
Apprenticeships
Click here for information about plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeships.
Industry connections
Unitec has strong ties with the plumbing and gasfitting industries. There are lots of industry experts on our advisory committee who make sure that what you learn is exactly what you’ll need for your career. Unitec is the only tertiary provider in Auckland that offers both theory and practical courses in drainlaying that lead you to become a registered drainlayer. The New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying follows the syllabus required by the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
Māori and Pacific scholarships
If you are Māori or Pacific, aged 18 to 34, and you want to train as a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer, Unitec has a scholarship for you. We have many Māori and Pacific Trades Training Scholarships up for grabs which cover your tuition fees for selected certificate programmes. You will need to cover any additional course costs.
Find out more about the Māori and Pacific Trades Training Fees-free Scholarships.
