Electrician
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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirementsTake advantage of unmatched electrical engineering apprenticeship training. Enjoy a variety of work challenges very few electrician careers offer.
- ServiceArmy
- SpecialisationApprenticeship Trades
- LocationLinton
- Starting Salary$51,177.00
About the role
As an Electrician your main focus is to provide electrical support to the Army. You will find yourself working on a variety of tasks, from appliance repairs to wiring multi-storey buildings, in an even greater variety of locations
Initially you will be posted to the School of Military Engineering, Linton Military Camp. You will spend the duration of your apprenticeship there learning basic engineering and electrical skills. You will then be posted into 2 Engineer Regiment on completion of your training.
Job on base
The primary role of an electrician once on Camp is to maintain your trade skills on construction task sites or conduct further professional development training. Most RNZE Electricians are based at Linton Camp, but there are also opportunities to work in Waiouru and Burnham.
Job on deployment
While on deployment, Electricians will use their skills working alongside other NZ Army trades constructing and maintaining camp facilities wherever the Army is deployed. Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE) personnel can be found in small contingents around the globe. Places they have previously been deployed include Antarctica, Afghanistan, Bougainville, Vanuatu, Fiji, Bosnia, Timor Leste and Iraq.
As an electrician in the NZ Army you will have the opportunity to achieve your National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. From here as your career progresses you will then get the opportunity to attain your Diploma in Construction Management.
You do courses in Wellington, you do your apprenticeship and you do a work experience in town, so you get a wide variety of work.
Career progression and training
Career Progression
Basic Training
Job Training
As an electrician in the NZ Army you will have the opportunity to achieve your National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. From here as your career progresses you will then get the opportunity to attain your Diploma in Construction Management.
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:
- Organisation and Administration
- Army Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
- First Aid
- Physical Fitness
BASIC COMBAT ENGINEER COURSE
This is an eight week course held at the School of Military Engineering, Linton Military Camp. This is the first course conducted for most trades within the RNZE. It introduces you to the combat side of being an engineer before you undertake your specific trade. The course covers the basics of field engineering including bridging, water supply, explosives, field defences, obstacles, booby traps, boating and other subjects. After the course, you will have a good understanding of field engineering and also be qualified as an Army (explosives) Demolition Handler. Further Combat Engineer training will be conducted over the duration of your career.
LEVEL TWO NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (NCEE)
An eight-week course conducted at UCol in Palmerston North. It introduces you to the fundamentals of the electrical trade. The apprenticeship will be carried out at your home unit, with all theoretical trade training assessed at UCol throughout your apprenticeship until you qualify on the Level Four NCEE. Once you have completed and passed all these requirements, you will be eligible for electrical registration. This training takes four years.
Salary and benefits
Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
$49,105
Recruit
$51,177
Starting Apprenticeship
$56,512
Trade Qualified
Benefits and allowances
There are many additional benefits to being in the Defence Force, that will make your money go further.
For example, on top of your basic salary you can expect ‘Military Factor’. This provides you with significant extra financial rewards because of the commitment you’ve made to serve your country.
Free and subsidised medical and dental care
Access to subsidised equipment on base
Subsidised food on base
Competitive superannuation, up to 4% with KiwiSaver
Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
Entry requirements
Basics
Education
Fitness and Medical
Citizenship
Period of Service
- You must be at least 17 years of age
- Meet the citizenship & security requirements to gain CV security clearance for this trade
- A Class 1 restricted licence is preferred, but is not compulsory
- Colour perception restrictions apply.
You must have achieved NCEA Level 1 with a minimum of 12 credits in Level 1 Science.
Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements
- You must be medically fit for service.
- Colour perception restrictions may apply.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Once you have completed training you will be required to give a two year return of service to the NZ Army.
Ready to start your Army career?
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