[sam123]

Hi there

I live in NZ with my family on a lifesentence (whoops! lifestyle) block. I had more qualifications in the Plumbing and Heating industry than you could wave a stick at in the UK, and also ran a very successful company of my own specialising in Gas and Oil appliance servicing, breakdowns and central heating installations.

None of my qualifications counted for anything in this fairly backward county, which has a group of inept individuals, who live in an 'ivory tower', running their own little empire in Wellington, known as the PGDB. They are to the plumbing and gasfitting industry what King Herod was to childcare - and make CORGI look like the SAS!

We came to NZ in 2005 mainly for a lifestyle change which would allow us to have land, horses, and a better environment for our children to grow up in. Some of these goals we have achieved, as well as battling our way through the minefield of re-qualifying and re-proving ourselves in middle age.

There are many things we could be bitter about, especially with regard to the bureacracyand inadequacy of certain organisations, but that would just be negative and pointless.

Having read a number of posts on this site reference plumbers trying to come here, and knowing that some of it was incorrect, I thought my point of view may be valuable to someone. So I have decided to come on this site to try and set some people straight on what is really involved in the 'big move' to NZ.

If you are in the construction trades, particularly plumbing / gas then I would be more than happy to help you out with information on your 'transition' to the NZ system. I am now in a position where I have inside, but not secret, information on what goes on in the trade with regard to recognition of qualifications, re-qualifying etc. having been there and done it myself.

Dont hesitate to contact me for any advice on your big move.

[Leccy-Lee]

Intriguing...

Are the PGDB related to the EWRB by chance? (Electricians Registration)
Although they were a little slow at the EWRB, i got there in the end.
Do tell

[babscat]

How would you rate the chances of finding a job for a 39 yr old plumber who has been teaching plumbing and gas at an FE college for the past 10 yrs?
Any information/suggestions welcome.
Barbara

[sam123]

Hi Babscat

Spend 20 mins writing a reply to find i wasnt logged on and lost it

[Tia Maria]

Hi Babscat

Spend 20 mins writing a reply to find i wasnt logged on and lost it

Sam123, the forum often times you out, (I know because I often take ages also :)), but just log in straightaway, in the box that comes up, and your reply should still be there!

I always copy my reply, if its a long one.....just in case....

Cheers

Tia

[sam123]

Babscat

There is hope for you hubby, but he needs to do the following things before getting a job.
1. Ideally get a job offer whilst in the UK.

2. Obtain a 'limited certificate'. You can do this from the UK by contacting the PGDB, sending over your qualifications to be assessed, they will then (if you meet the requirements) send you a credit card certificate (in exchange for cash) ID card with which you become, in your case, the equivalent of an apprentice at the end of his 3rd year. You are signed up to work under the direct of your NZ employer.

3. Alternatively you could just arrive here, then get a job and a limited certificate. It depends how you want to play it. I have a wife and family and was not prepared to make the move without the certainty of a job offer.

4. Once here you would be expected to carry out a practical test of workmanship, which i did at one of the training providers - various ways to do it - I did the block courses and test weeks of the final apprenticeship year (cost $1500). You then sent a letter confirming this to the board and this should allow you to do the Registration Exams in Gasfitting or Plumbing or both which occur in June and November.


You could then come and get a job here (the limited certificate should state who your employer is so you should have obtained a job here whilst in the UK

This would then allow your husband to sit the PGDB registration exam

[sam123]

Babscat

Sorry about the mad ramblings near the end - paranoid about being logged off again so didnt proof read it all. Its all legitimate up to and including point 4.

5. If you pass your exams you can apply to the PGDB to become registered and then you become a human being again, albeit qualified to a lower and far more backward level.

6. At this point your hubby could apply for a job at one of the training institutions because they are always looking for good, knowledgeable gas tutors and im afraid they almost entirely come from the UK!

Hope this helps and get back in touch if you wish to about any queries you have

sam

[babscat]

Thanks Sam for being so helpful - I know only too well the frustration of losing a long post!
My daughter and family are near Napier, and we hope tp join them in 2 years time. Its my son who is the plumbing tutor. He is in the middle of an unpleasant divorce and a fresh life-style would be ideal. Off to print your advice!!

Barbara

[Philip10]

Welcome

[sam123]

My pleasure Babscat - Just drop me a line if you need to know anything else because friends / aquaintances of mine are teaching at a couple of the training providers.

Regards

[bartons]

Sam, thanks for the excellent information! My brother-in-law is considering qualifying as a plumber and will find this really helpful!
Mareike

[bevsere]

Interesting posts on the subject of plumbing in NZ. We have been here 4 years . My husband is PGDB registered and is now considering the Craftsman exams . He should really have done them last year or so but we were too busy enjoying our lives. I've put up many posts over the years about Plumbing in NZ as Tia Maria can confirm

Eligibility to take the PGDB assessment and become fully NZ registration is a requirement of the NZIS. With any SMC application , they will want to see proof that you will be able to attain PGDB NZ registration. This can be provided by a letter from the PGDB , following the prelim assessment, which will state you are eligible.

In order for the prelim assessment to have a positive outcome , the UK quals really need to be of an equivalent craftsman standard. That is the older C&G both 1 and 2 advanced, with proof of apprenticeship, or a more current C&G or NVQ level 3. For gas, they will want CORGI reg. The PGDB having checked out your application will then instigate a telephone interview. Cost $400

Until such time as you take the PGDB Registration exam and assessment , you would be able to work in NZ within the trade by applying for a Limited Licence. You do this in tandem with your NZ employer , as they will countersign the licence application. All your work will be overseen and signed off by a nominated Registered Plumber.

The route to registration for overseas plumbers and gasfitters changed a while back. It used to be that one just sat the Registration exam paper , which was the same paper that a final year apprentice sat , following his last 3 week block course and attaining the National Certificate. Then it changed to sitting the exam plus a practical test of workmanship. Now they require a 4 day course + assessment + exam at Wellington.

Should the PGDB consider you eligible to become PGDB Registered, you will be required to sit a 4 day course of practical assessments and exams in Wellington. The cost for this is $3500. It can only be done in Wellington and would be arranged directly with the PGDB.

Should they not consider you to be eligible , they will suggest you sign on with an ITO and complete an apprenticeship to gain the National Certificate. You would most likely do this through your NZ employer as it would pay to have knowledge of NZ working practices when taking practical assessments. You would be able to have your previous experience and overseas qualifications assessed for prior learning. The National Certificate works on a 'credit' system so it could be that you just sign up for certain parts of a total apprenticeship . During that time you would work under a PGDB limited licence.

Be aware that some practices which are no longer taught in the UK are alive and kicking here.

Also, you will be required to know about the Rules and Regs.
Those rules and regs are
The Building Code G12 and G13
NZ Standards 3500
PGDB Act

Please take a look at past exam questions and answers on the PGDB site to give you some insight.

For any plumber or gasfitter looking to work in the trade here in NZ their first port of call will be to have a preliminary assessment done by the PGDB - Plumbing Board Of New Zealand. Please download the preliminary assessment form from HERE (http://www.pgdb.co.nz/index.php?sh=04&h2=13&pic=04&screen=04-other-countries)

It is a very comprehensive document which explains the procedures and policy extremely well. I'll try to give a direct link HERE [click the large black type to access the link] (http://www.pgdb.co.nz/download/pdf/iqas_november_2007.pdf)

What you will want to see following the prelim assessment is that the PGDB of NZ considers your overseas qualifications are sufficient for them to consider you would be eligible to sit their registration exams and assessments.

How would you rate the chances of finding a job for a 39 yr old plumber who has been teaching plumbing and gas at an FE college for the past 10 yrs?

Plumbing remains on the Long Term Shortage List. He should be able to find employment here. I would suggest a reccie with some interviews lined up. NZ employers prefer boots on ground when inviting overseas plumbers to take up a position. To be fair to the NZ employer, they want to know that if they offer you a job , that you will be able to actually start within a reasonable time-frame. You could chance your arm by trying to obtain a job offer from the UK but both you and the employer would be taking a risk. You should at least make sure the working conditions are good. Do not accept the first rate of pay offered. It is normal practice here to haggle over the $$ per hour.

When you look at the prelim assessment form , you will see that they ask for details of on the tools work experience over the past 5 years. You are also given the opportunity to describe your 'other' plumbing work - as in the tutoring.

Hope this helps and good luck all.

[bevsere]

Intriguing...

Are the PGDB related to the EWRB by chance? (Electricians Registration)
Although they were a little slow at the EWRB, i got there in the end.
Do tell

Hi Leccy. Wondered where you had got to.

The PGDB can be a bit slow but TBH they have improved greatly over the past year. The information coming from them is concise and timely. Their website is vastly improved. Overseas plumbers and gasfitters are now much better placed to know exactly what will be required of them when they come here. They can now access old exam papers for free. The only thing which is lacking is a comprehensive listing of which overseas quals meet the standard & which countries quals will not be recognised at all.

[bevsere]

Having read a number of posts on this site reference plumbers trying to come here, and knowing that some of it was incorrect

Which previous info has been incorrect or was it just out of date.

The part of your post reference 'Practical Test of Workmanship' and the cost of $1500 is out of date.

It is now the 4 day course . Cost of $3500.

Just mentioning this to save others confusion. :nice1

[bartons]

Brilliant info - thanks for posting all this!! Will pass it on to my brother-in-law.
Mareike

[babscat]

Thanks for that, Bevsere,

I have been reading your posts for something like 2 years or more and have always found them informative. My son in law is a plasterer and after much research and an exploratory visit he got a job offer + PR and moved to NZ last year. We hope to follow them when they can sponsor us in 2 years time.

My son qualified as a plumber in 1990 and has been teaching plumbing and gas full time for 5 years and part time before that. He also teaches for Corgi registration, but doesn't keep up his own registration as he doesn't do enough fitting to justify the registration cost. His wife would never have agreed to a move to NZ but now they are divorcing and he is seriously considering it within the next few years. The problem is that he would have to leave 2 daughters here in UK and I suspect the tie may be too strong.

UK Plumbers certainly don't have an easy ride in NZ! Thanks for being so helpful - it will be good to be prepared when/if the decision is made!

Barbara