Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting
Thinking about a career in Plumbing, Drainlaying or Gasfitting?
A career in the plumbing industry is a great move. This page looks at the what sorts of jobs you’ll be doing, where your career could go, and what kinds of skills will help you in the trade. In 2018 the industry decided that all plumbers should also be drainlayers.
What do plumbers and drainlayers do?
Plumbers do a wide variety of jobs, you could be working on a farm one day or a high rise building the next.
On any given day you could be:
- Installing hot water cylinders in a multi-million dollar house
- Doing bathroom renovations, putting in sinks, toilets, showers, and baths
- Installing pipework in hospitals or aged care facilities
- Working in an industrial plant installing pipes
- Installing metal roofing and spouting systems
- Using a digger to dig trenches
- Working in an industrial plant installing pipes
- Installing environmental waste water systems.
Where can I go?
Once you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be able to apply for the licences you need to get started.
Many plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers get some experience under their belt, then start looking at taking on project management or supervising teams.
After a few years, many people get their certifying licence and go on to start their own business, increasing both their freedom and income. They also pay it forward by taking on apprentices of their own.
Others move into roles in the wider industry, such as consulting or teaching. Your plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualification is also recognised in other countries, so you can take your trade around the world.
Is it for me?
There are some basic skills which will help you go far in your career as a plumber and drainlayer. You should be:
- Responsible and well-organised
- Happy working outdoors in any weather
- 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 in places that may be dirty or confined
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Thinking about a career in Plumbing, Drainlaying or Gasfitting?
A career in the plumbing industry is a great move. This page looks at the what sorts of jobs you’ll be doing, where your career could go, and what kinds of skills will help you in the trade. In 2018 the industry decided that all plumbers should also be drainlayers.
What do plumbers and drainlayers do?
Plumbers do a wide variety of jobs, you could be working on a farm one day or a high rise building the next.
On any given day you could be:
- Installing hot water cylinders in a multi-million dollar house
- Doing bathroom renovations, putting in sinks, toilets, showers, and baths
- Installing pipework in hospitals or aged care facilities
- Working in an industrial plant installing pipes
- Installing metal roofing and spouting systems
- Using a digger to dig trenches
- Working in an industrial plant installing pipes
- Installing environmental waste water systems.
Where can I go?
Once you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be able to apply for the licences you need to get started.
Many plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers get some experience under their belt, then start looking at taking on project management or supervising teams.
After a few years, many people get their certifying licence and go on to start their own business, increasing both their freedom and income. They also pay it forward by taking on apprentices of their own.
Others move into roles in the wider industry, such as consulting or teaching. Your plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualification is also recognised in other countries, so you can take your trade around the world.
Is it for me?
There are some basic skills which will help you go far in your career as a plumber and drainlayer. You should be:
- Responsible and well-organised
- Happy working outdoors in any weather
- 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 in places that may be dirty or confined
Apprenticeship
It’s quicker than you think to become fully qualified
You might want to be a drainlayer or a gasfitter, or maybe you want to do a combination of plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying. The different options take a varying amount of time. They take approximately:
- Plumbing + Gasfitting + Drainlaying = 5 years
- Pumbling + Drainlaying = 4 years
- Gasfitting = 3 years
- Drainlaying = 2 years
Learning on the job
There are three main components to your training as an apprentice:
On-job learning
This is the practical learning side of your apprenticeship where you will do different roofing tasks at work. A supervisor will teach you how to do things and make sure you learn how to do them correctly. You’ll submit on-job assessment booklets and evidence (e.g. photos and drawing plans) that prove you can do these tasks.
Block courses
This is the classroom learning aspect of the apprenticeship. You’ll attend some classes at ICE and learn the theory behind what you’re learning on the job.
Online learning
Online learning consists of live interactive webinars where industry experts cover the theory that supports your practical learning. You’ll also be able to access online forums to ask any questions you may have.
What does it cost?
One of the best things about being an apprentice is that you’re earning while you’re learning. That means you don’t need to fork out for large student loans or work multiple jobs.
Even more good news: Since the New Zealand government is right behind getting people into trades, they help subsidise your training.
This apprenticeship doesn’t have a fixed cost because it’s based around competency. You’ll pay a weekly amount until you complete your apprenticeship.
This fee will now be covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) and will be paid by TEC until 31 December 2022. For more information on TTAF, click here.
Please note: ICE makes every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate and up-to-date. However, the information given, including fees information and the availability and structure of courses, are regularly reviewed and no warranty or representation is given about the ongoing accuracy of such information. All fees may change without notice. ICE does not accept liability for any losses or damage that happen directly or indirectly from you relying on the information on this website.
How to get started
Find an employer
The first step is to find a plumber or drainlayer who will take you on as an apprentice, be your employer, and offer you a job. You’ll need to find an employer before you start your apprenticeship.
Sign up
Once you and your employer are ready to get started, you should give us a call on 0508 4ICEXL (0508 442395). There’s a couple of forms you’ll need to fill out together, so we’ll send these to you.
Once we’ve received and processed your documents, an ICE Account Manager will be in touch with you or your employer. They’ll run through an induction so you can kickoff your training on the right foot.