New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying
Construction
A course by
UCOL
This certificate programme provides you with the skills, knowledge and attitudes you will need to kick-start your career in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
UCOL Manawatū, Palmerston North
It will take a total of 23 weeks
This course requires 33 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Ethical and Legal Practice
Apply good conduct, ethical, and legal practices in plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying environments.
Safety Procedures
Apply safe work practices and identify working hazards in plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying.
Basic Installation Skills
Assist with installing plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying systems including water supply, sanitary plumbing, foul water, drainlaying components, and basic sheet metal work.
What You're Signing Up For
The UCOL New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3) equips learners with practical skills in plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying to start a trade career. The qualification prepares graduates to assist licensed professionals under supervision and progress to Level 4 apprenticeships in the trades. The program includes safety, regulatory, tool use, and trade-specific knowledge, delivered full-time over 23 weeks with part-time options. Domestic fees apply, and the programme is not open to international students.
Course Content
- Essential Safety Skills for Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying including first aid, hazard knowledge, asbestos safety, and employee obligations.
- Patterns, Tools, Regulatory and Ethical Considerations covering ethics, legal frameworks, tool maintenance, and plumbing sheet metal patterns.
- Introduction to Drainlaying including calculations, excavating and trenching knowledge and skills.
- Introduction to Plumbing covering water, material properties, and less used materials.
- Introduction to Gasfitting with knowledge of gas contaminated environments.
What you need to know first
Physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Construction
Trade Skills
Building Services
Future employment opportunities might be
Plumbing Apprentice
Gasfitting Apprentice
Drainlaying Apprentice