Explore your options
At Unitec, we prepare plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers for work in our pre-apprenticeship and 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 lab 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, gasfitting, and drainlaying 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 | 22 weeks full-time (4 days a week) | Apprentice Plumber, Apprentice Gasfitter, Apprentice Drainlayer | February, or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying | 4 | Part-time for up to 2 years | Tradesman Drainlayer | March, April, May, July, September or October |
| New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting | 4 | Part-time for up to 4 years | Tradesman Gasfitter | March, April, July, October |
| New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing | 4 | 4 years part-time | Tradesman Plumber | March, April, July or October |
Short courses
| Short courses | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Associated Tradesperson (Plumber, Gasfitter and Plumber/Gasfitter) | This short course covers the theory and practical requirements, including practical assessment, as set out by the Electricity Regulations and is designed for registered plumbers and gasfitters who... | |
| Installing and Commissioning Commercial Water Heaters | This short course will enable students to install, commission, identify and rectify faults in commercial and industrial gas appliances and equipment. |
Apprenticeships
Click here for information about plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeships.
Industry connections
Unitec has strong ties with the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying 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.
Māori and Pacific scholarships
