New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) Level 4

What is motor rewinding?

Expensive, complex equipment needs specialists to look after maintenance and repair, and that’s where motor rewinders come in. You’ll be trained to repair and maintain equipment used in a variety of places, like superyachts to hotels and other commercial buildings. If you choose to do the optional Electrical Service Technician strand you’ll be able to apply to the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) for registration once you’ve finished, which gives you a wider career path.

The new apprenticeship for Motor Rewinding, which leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) is now available.

There are two programme options available, which include both on-job and theory learning components. These are:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) Level 4 – duration 19 months
  • New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair) Level 4, with optional strand in Electrical Service Technician (EST) – duration 23 months

To enter this apprenticeship we recommend you hold:

  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and Physics, OR
  • NCEA Level 2 in Mathematics, English, and General Science, OR have equivalent qualifications or relevant experience

You will need to be employed by a motor rewinder (or other business that undertakes motor rewinding work) that agrees to train you as an apprentice before you sign up. Find out more about apprenticeships below.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

  • Carry out maintenance, testing, fault diagnosis, and repair of electromechanical equipment and related apparatus.
  • Monitor and use safe working procedures and practices to identify, control, and manage hazards in the workplace and environment.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge of current and emerging technologies specific to electromechanical equipment.
  • Work ethically and professionally within the electrotechnology industry and communicate effectively with stakeholders on electromechanical equipment related matters.

Graduates of the Electrical Service Technician (EST) strand will also be able to:

  • Carry out prescribed electrical work (PEW) within the limits of the Electrical Service Technician (EST) licence requirements.

Prerequisite Requirements

Applicants must hold a New Zealand residency, permanent residency, or citizenship.

They must be employed in the Electronic Security industry. If they are undertaking the Service stand, they must have a supervisor holding a current EWRB practising licence at least of the same level of registration than the one you apply for.

They must also hold NCEA Level 1:

  • 10 credits in Mathematics; and
  • 10 credits in English; and
  • 14 credits in General Science or Physics
  • Or equivalent Outcome of Course or experience.

English Language entry requirement: Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. This will be demonstrated by meeting the current NZQA requirements.

For the minimum English language requirements refer to the following website.

Students aged 20+ years who do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme will be eligible to enrol as a student where their previous educational, work or life experience indicate that they have a reasonable likelihood of success. Students under the age of 20 who do not hold the required minimum entry requirements for a programme may also be eligible to enrol in exceptional circumstances. Such decisions will be made by the Director/Head of School.

Where can I go?

Graduates will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to work independently in the electromechanical maintenance and repair industry as commercially competent practitioners.

Graduates of Electrical Service Technician optional strand once registered and licensed can work independently, carry out prescribed electrical work (PEW) up to and including their licence class, and can supervise other electrical workers also up to and including their licence class.

Details of the requirements to become registered and licensed and the range of PEW that can be carried out are available on the EWRB website www.ewrb.govt.nz.

Is it for me?

There are some basic skills which will help you go far in your career as an electrician. You should be:

  • Responsible and well-organised
  • Able to understand basic maths and physics
  • Physically fit (the work involves climbing and lifting)
  • Able to present yourself professionally (you’ll be representing your employer and interacting with clients and other people, like members of the public).
  • Good at communicating with others
  • Flexible with working hours, as evening, weekend and on call is sometimes required
  • Comfortable working at heights or in small enclosed areas, and in places that may be noisy, dirty, dusty, and/or hazardous.

Want to know more about how apprenticeships work?

It’s quicker than you think to become fully qualified

An apprenticeship to become an electrician normally takes around 3 1/2 years. Regularly working through your study and attending the off-job training will help you finish on time (or even earlier!).

The way your apprenticeship is structured means there’s both on-job and off-job learning. If you have previously completed a pre-trade course, you don’t have to go through off-job level 3 training. While the pre-trade course reduces your off-job training time, you will still need the rest of the time to learn all the on-job skills.

When you successfully complete all the requirements of your apprenticeship, you’ll be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) Level 4. You keep this qualification for life and it’s your ticket to becoming a registered and licensed electrician.

If you are interested in our programmes, contact us at

Enquire and Enrol: susan.tyler@icexl.co.nz | 0508 4ICEXL (0508 442 395)