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New path for Certifying Plumbers to become Certifying Drainlayers

26 June 2020
drainlaying plumbing certification PGDB

Skills has opened up a new path for certified plumbers to obtain their drainlaying certification based on existing skills and work experience.

If you are a registered and licensed Certifying Plumber with four years' full-time experience in drainlaying work, you can now get your skills and knowledge assessed through the Skills Recognition process for potential registration as a Certifying Drainlayer.

What is Skills Recognition?

Skills Recognition is an assessment process for people who are not formally qualified in New Zealand and seek registration with the NZ Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). They either have overseas qualifications they want recognised here, or they are not formally qualified but have relevant skills and experience they want assessed.

As the standard setting body, Skills will carry out the assessments on behalf of the PGDB. If successful, they will issue applicants a Letter of Recommendation for Registration in the relevant category, which can be used towards the registration pathway with the PGDB (note that the PGDB will have further requirements for registration e.g. exams).

New Skills Recognition Category

A new category - Category C - has been introduced to make it easier for existing Certifying Plumbers in New Zealand to be assessed to be eligible to register as a Certifying Drainlayer.

Category C

Who can Apply?

People based in New Zealand who are registered and licensed as a Certifying Plumber with the PGDB and have 4 years full-time experience in drainlaying work.

Skills Recognition will assess:

That their relevant skills and knowledge cover the Board’s Certifying Drainlayer competencies.

Potential PGDB registration:

Certifying Drainlayer.

What evidence is required?

Evidence that you have a minimum of 4 years full-time working in the drainlaying trade, in the form of letter(s) from current/past employer(s) or supervisor(s) which:

  1. List details of the exact types of drainlaying work that you carried out; and
  2. Specify your exact dates of employment (dd/mm/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy).

Optional evidence you could supply to back up the content of your letter(s):

  • Invoices, tax records, contracts, design plans, Council/Territorial Authority plans, quotes, consent/permits, testimonials from inspectors, etc.
  • BCA inspector site inspection paperwork
  • Certified copies of other relevant training that can support the application, e.g. specialised training or courses, supplier training etc.
  • Photographic evidence of work you have done and which the letters confirm you completed.

If you wish to apply or find out more about how the Skills Recognition assessment works, visit the Skills website.

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