gutted on that one......the stuff you send in cant be submitted to the re marker for a re-mark PGDB policy, as the re marker cant be influenced.  sounds like the original person to mark the gas exam was on drugs......just like the june plumbing exam...on the boards web site (which still hasnt posted the june 08, examiners report) theres a prescription on mark allocations and where one should concentrate his/her study....20 marks on sanitary stated on their own web site.  and then they ask 4 marks on waste pipes to a gully...check out the 21 marks related to pumps in the june exam....

your welcome ...
thats the reason y only 13.5% people passed the june 08 exams i reckon......but the PGDB are yet to post
the 08 examiners report on thr web site.....even tho the november exams are well and truly over...

I remember reading something that i read about what the goverments/ inland revenue/ pgdb. desired. It  was to less issue craftsman licences  thus forcing plumbers to work for companies, and this would help companies grow and be able to become more efficient, create competition amongst the commercial enterprises, bring prices down  etc etc etc.
In other words, easier an tax take for IRD and less tax exemptions (loopholes) for individuals.
 I collected old test papers  from guys who had failed their exams and two things became apparent.one was that  the questions were not reflective of the prescription, ie, alot of questions were not relative to the modern trade, thier weighting was biased, ie, oblique questions carring more points than their worth to the trade. Secondly the marking was inconsistent, I accept that markers will make errors, but when the level of marking between markers varies to the degree as displayed by the PGDB. then thier credibility is of question.
I have no doubt that they display a level of incompetence they wish to keep hidden.
Their biggest fault was corporatisation of the board developing an elitist attitude towards plumbers and assuming a sense of power over  plumbers.

Hi Dog.

I hear what you are saying

I'm really interested in what pass rates are in all the exams.

Also, some answers to questions in the exams.
I believe they are after "word for word" explainations to some questions.
Thats bullshit if it is the case.
We are Plumbers with a extreme experience and knowledge, not to mention quite an understanding of plumbing/gas/drainlaying regs and standards. Also H&S Acts etc.

It must seem obvious to the markers that the guys know the answers, but can't explain them exactly, yet on site, they know just what to do.

In OZ, the examiners (so to speak) will pass you on what you get right, then assist you on things you get wrong. That way you pass and are more knowledgabe.

I could go on and on.........

All I'm saying is that plumbers should be encouraged and assisted where possible.

The PGDB should not be creating problems, but trying to sort them out.

This is a protected trade which is fantastic. But it should not excessively cost our time and expense.

NZ really has to step forward and support trades like Australia does.

The plumbing trade has a  shortage of skilled labour, and industry figures are clashing over who is responsible.
Their wrangling follows a Government move yesterday to sack all nine members of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Registration Board.
Some plumbers believe the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) has performed poorly and is in need of an overhaul. Others say they stand whole-heartedly behind it.
And the managing director of a separate trade organisation has attacked the ITO system, saying a return to the old ways is needed.
Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen announced yesterday's board sacking. A new board was appointed by Associate Minister of Health Damien O'Connor.
The sacking appears to be a response to the falling number of people coming into the trade, despite $24 million being spent on training over the past six years.
An independent report was the catalyst for Dr Cullen's reaction.
The report, from lawyer Hazel Armstrong, said the relationship between the registration board and the ITO was "dysfunctional".
Dr Cullen said many apprentices had passed the ITO national certificate but failed the board's registration exam.
The managing director of the Design Association of New Zealand, Ralph Hill, said the ITO system, introduced by the Government in the 1990s, was flawed.
New Zealand had turned its back on a "perfectly good" system of training apprentices which had worked for at least 60 years, Mr Hill said.
New Zealand tradespeople were on a "downward spiral" in breadth of skill and knowledge.
The average age of skilled technicians was now in the 50s and 60s.
This is old news now but still relevant today.

How can you have teachers who have not reached craftsman status? plumbing is about experience... these teachers don't have enough experience...
by the way same thing happened to me in pgdb exam... but i eventually passed anyway so stuff you pgdb board!!!!
the pgdb board staff should be audited and do cpd every year and pay an annual registration fee... thern we'll see who's crying!

How can the pgdb board audit gasfitters every 2yrs.. what a waste of time!!!
The rest of the industry re: appliance retailers, gas retailers, customers dont know the laws and they dont care.....
Why should we be responsible... the Ess cant regulate every little descrepancy......