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If I was to take up a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship, is it possible to do the drainlaying part of the apprenticeship first and become registered in the first two years? then continue with the plumbing side of it. I'm presuming in order to do this I would need to do the drainlaying block courses first? does anyone know if this is possible?
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Who's doing a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship out there?
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There is a recognised pathway to completion and you that need to talk to Skills NZ about how it plays out. I don't think that it is possible if you have signed up for plumbing and drainlaying to complete the drainlaying part first and then do theplumbing, it's just now how they stage block courses, and of course you will need to get National Certificate before you can sit the exam. Contact the Skills Organisation - I am sure they will be able to answer your questions.
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tried that. The dumb chick i spoke to over the phone didnt have a clue and said my company and I need to make an appointment with a skills manager to find out. Oh Well, FML
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Did it ever occur to you that it was not "the dumb chicks" job to know what you were asking her? and that she was correctly directing you to the person who would know? Try and remember that YOU are the one who is trying to get around existing and long standing pathways. I'll bet you don't bother asking the guy with the road sign questions beyond what you feel his remit is.
There may well be 50 staff where the "dumb chick" works and if she was to know everyone elses job, who would be sacked? or would she be the boss?
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;D Well wombles, I rang the Skills ITO to find out if my query is at all possible as I need to know this BEFORE signing a training agreement with my employer so I could negotiate with him a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship instead of only the latter.
I would have thought the dumb chick (or any of her fellow work colleagues) would know this information as she is the enquiries voice of the ''SKILLS ITO APPRENTICESHIP'' 0800 number. Instead she didnt have a clue, which i think is pretty piss poor for a company that deals strictly with apprenticeships. Her answer was for me and my employer to book an appointment with a manager - which is inconvenient for me as I am due to sign a training agreement and begin work with my host employer next week.
You may need to have your eyes or reading skills checked as I never said I was 'trying to get around' any pathways but am only wanting to know if there is a standard pathway or can it be customised - hence my original question.
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Our frustrations should be taken up with the people in charge, not each other or the poor girl at the ITO. She is probably treated like a mushroom, just as we all are in this industry, kept in the dark whilst being fed bullshit.
At the end of the day we all, the ITO lady included, only want to earn some coin so we can get by, it is wrong that it is so hard to do this.
Michael, mate if you think its hard to join this industry, you want to see how it treats you after 25 years. Perhaps let your MP know how hard it is, get active, try to fix it...these MPs keep harping on about trades shortages and the cost of building homes, see if they will take some action.
I think its about time these so called "leaders" actually led, instead of filling their pockets and running the industry down.
But please guys lets not have a go at each other, divide and conquer won't do US any good, but it will work wonders for the real dickheads of the industry.
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Michael - Skills deal with a wide range of apprenticeships - not just plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. There is an option to have a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship as opposed to a plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship, but they are done side by side if you get my drift. Perhaps you could try contacting Stephen Bocock - he is very knowledgeable and helpful to apprentices in our particular industries. Each region has a SKILLS manager to look after apprentices and I am sure if your employer contacted your local representative they would come and meet you at a time that suited. I note you say "host" employer which leads me to believe you may be employed under a scheme like Masterlink or ATT? If so then they would certainly be able to fill you in on every bit of information you need.
I understand your frustration in trying to talk to SKILLS, I've experienced it myself - persistence is the name of the game. Visit their website and see if you can locate your regional manager. Don't sign a training agreement until you understand what you are committing to - likewise with your employer. The training agreements are usually dropped off to the employer - so they would know who the local manager was.
Just a small observation - you can get more help using sugar rather than vinegar. If all else fails ask to speak to Paul Hollings the head of specialist trades - and if all else fails there - the big boss is Garry Fissenden, but I think you need to make a list of what you want to know and be clear about what you are wanting to achieve. If it is to get a drainlaying qual complete before starting the plumbing side, then you want to do a drainlaying apprenticeship only - and then plumbing. I wouldn't recommend this path - do them both together - it's about 8000 hours in total - and worth the effort.
Let us know how you get on.