Plumbers NZ | Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainage Community

General Plumbing and Gasfitting Talk => Plumbing => Plumbing International => Topic started by: tonychamp77 on March 06, 2009, 01:38:18 PM

Plumbers NZ is New Zealand's largest online plumbing, gas and drainage resource. Plumbing exam help, plumbing news, directory and free quotes.

Title: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: tonychamp77 on March 06, 2009, 01:38:18 PM
Hello Guys and girls

Names Tony moved here from the UK I am apprentice trained gas/plumbing with city & guilds 1,2,3 mechanical engineering + 15 years experience just got rejected for residency as not NZ qualified,  im doing data cabling at present but want to get back to my own trade.

Now can you help me with the following

1. The next exam is in June 2009 correct ?
2. i need to register in April correct ?
3. where is best place to find some study material ? as im sure some practices are different in NZ then the UK ?
4. now im having trouble getting work in the Auckland area as im not registered now do i need to pass all 3 exams  common, plumbing & gas to get a start with a company ?
5. can i work for a plumber without registration i.e. work under someones supervision while i do my study and await exams ?

rgds

Tony

0210627054
tonychamp77@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Plumber on March 08, 2009, 09:39:16 PM
Hi Tony,

Sorry to hear you got rejected! I'm sure we could use more trades people with your experience and qualifications here in New Zealand.

To answer your questions...

1. Yes there are 2 exams a year one in June and one in November
2. Yes you need to register only during the month of April & the PGDB will only accept the original registration form. So no fax, emails etc. Annoying, I know.
3. I have seen lots of study information and material come my way and i can definitely recommend the open polytechnic they have great courses, great Tutors and the study material they offer will help you guarantied. free phone is 0508650200.
4. If you want your own business you have to pass the common exam and one of the other two. If you pass the craftsman plumbing exam you can open a plumbing business. Pass the gas and you can open a gasfitting business. Pass both and you can do both gas and plumbing.
5. Yes you can under the condition that you hold a limited licence and that a craftsman oversees what you do. I heard rumors that this might change in the future so the quicker you get into it the better!  :)

Hope this helps Tony and all the best!
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: jd24hrs on October 06, 2009, 09:41:10 PM
Hi Tony
sorry to tell you this, when you do finally get work you will find you have much greater working knowledge of gas and plumbing industry than most plumber here,you will certainly understand gas safety and the need for a proffestional gas safety watchdog.my advice is write to john key and maurice williamson and tell them to wake up to the stupid pgdb and how unfair there system is jd kiwigas.engineers@xtra.co.nz or 073774141
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Gaven on February 08, 2013, 12:33:23 AM
Hi Tony
I am in the process of job hunting (from the UK) as I am in the process of getting registered etc with the PGDB so I can finally leave the UK & start a new life in NZ. They have approved me a Provisional License once I secure a job offer. Anyway, I was wondering how you got on in the end as I see your post was a few years ago now? Any tips for me?? Im British Gas trained with 20yrs experience, but without any knowledge of NZ rules & regs,so I cant sit the exams until I get some experience of the NZ way. Ive emailed so many companies Ive lost count! So hopefully you succeeded in getting residency etc & have some tips for me?? Thanks. Gaven.
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Badger on February 08, 2013, 07:17:01 AM
Gav mate, I have run that Gauntlet myself, its a feckin nightmare got here in 96, basically if you want to come and work for someone else you won't be too bad off, but if you think you'll be able to start a business and work for your self, well its a dirty game, I worked for British GAS too mate, had some bloody good training and had to retrain in nearly every aspect.
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Gaven on February 08, 2013, 07:51:18 AM
Hi Badger! Yeh Ive heard all the horror stories too!Im not expecting to get there & be able to do the job straight off. Im wanting to work for someone until Im ready to sit the exams & get qualified so I can work unsupervised. Luckily its just me. No family, & I have been to NZ numerous times so I know what its like there!! Where was your patch mate when you worked for BG & where are you now?
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Jaxcat on February 08, 2013, 09:27:53 PM
Hi Gaven
Your best bet would be to contact plumbing and gasfitting companies in Christchurch - that is where the work seems to be.  We've just seen our third largest construction company go in to receivership - so some pretty depressed tradesmen here at the moment.  Obviously you've visited the www.pgdb.co.nz website and are familiar with what is required to get licensed here. 

Good luck!
Title: Re: Qualified UK Plumber needs help
Post by: Gaven on February 08, 2013, 10:59:55 PM
Im well into my application mate. Ive had all the check etc done & been approved so all I need is that job!!!!! CCH wasnt really high on my list of where I wanted to be, to be honest mate but I guess if thats where the work is then I may have to consider it.
Anyway,thanks for the info.(shame you didnt answer all my questions)!!  ;)