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Scaffolding Apprentices

Become fully qualified in 3 years. 

Looking for a career in scaffolding?

Extra Support

EarnLearn backs you with training and wellbeing support so you can succeed on site, in block courses, and throughout your scaffolding apprenticeship.

No Student Loan

Earn a wage while you train and finish your apprenticeship without taking on a massive student debt—many graduates owe over $40,000, but you won’t.

Earn More

Qualified scaffolders are in demand nationwide, with pay well above the New Zealand average and strong opportunities for progression.

Life as a Scaffolding Apprentice

Earn a real paycheck, learn from skilled mentors, and build safe access systems on residential, commercial, and civil sites. Here’s what day-to-day looks like in a scaffolding apprenticeship.

Get Paid To Learn

From day one you’re earning while you train. You’ll join a crew, work on live sites, and your pay steps up as your competencies do.

Practical learning with a paycheck—no massive student loan, clear milestones, and support to keep you moving.

Build Fast, Safe Systems

Hands-on with tube & fitting and modular systems: base-outs and bracing, standards, ledgers and transoms, decks, guardrails and toe-boards, ties/anchors, mobile towers, and edge protection.

Pre-starts, gear checks, and tagging keep everyone safe. Block courses and online modules build your theory while your logbook captures evidence so you tick off competencies with confidence.

A Career With Real Progression

Earn nationally recognised qualifications and build toward advanced levels. Progress from crew member to leading hand and supervisor—then step into site coordination or run your own crew.

Strong demand nationwide, transferable skills across residential, commercial, and civil projects, and clear pathways to leadership.

Interested in a career in scaffolding?

Fill out the form and our team will be in touch to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you take the next step in growing your workforce.

How a Scaffolding Apprenticeship Works

1

Check you’re suited

Enjoy physical, hands-on work outdoors. You’ll need good fitness, balance and teamwork, safe work-at-height habits, and solid measuring/communication skills. A driver licence helps with early starts and site travel.

2

Prepare your CV

Show your interest in scaffolding and construction. Highlight practical experience (labouring, sports/fitness), any Site Safe/health & safety cards, and school subjects like maths, technology, or PE.

3

Get hired

Secure a job with a scaffolding company. Many apprentices start as a yard hand or labourer to learn gear, tagging, and site basics, then move into an apprenticeship once work-ready.

4

Sign your training agreement

You, your employer, and EarnLearn agree your programme: on-the-job learning (tube & fitting/modular systems, towers, edge protection), off-job block courses/online modules, and how you’ll record evidence in your logbook.

5

Start training & safety onboarding

Complete site inductions and required safety (e.g., Site Safe/ConstructSafe, harness competency, EWP as needed). Work through the NZ Certificate in Scaffolding (Level 3 → Level 4) with regular EarnLearn check-ins.

“You earn while you learn, and you come out with life skills and a qualification that can take you anywhere”

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What Scaffolding Training Looks Like

1

On-the-job learning

Work alongside experienced scaffolders. Gain hands-on skills setting up tube & fitting, modular systems, towers, and edge protection, while logging evidence of tasks completed.

2

Off-job courses

Attend block courses and online modules that cover scaffolding theory—safety standards, load calculations, design principles, and compliance requirements.

3

Assessments & logbook

Keep your training logbook up to date and complete competency assessments. These track your progress across scaffolding levels and system types.

4

Regular check-ins

EarnLearn Account Managers check in with you and your employer every 8 weeks to keep your training moving and provide extra support when needed.

5

Capstone & Level 4

Once you’ve completed Level 3, you’ll progress to Level 4 scaffolding. Final assessments demonstrate your ability to lead jobs safely and independently, setting you up for advanced roles.

Scaffolding Employer FAQs

We’re here to help. If you have questions, reach out to our friendly team any time.

  • How do I take on a scaffolding apprentice?
    Contact us with your work mix (tube & fitting, modular, towers, edge protection). We’ll confirm eligibility, set up the training agreement, and onboard your apprentice to the right Level 3→4 pathway.
  • What support will I get as an employer?
    You’ll have an EarnLearn Account Manager for regular check-ins, plus guidance on assessments, block-course scheduling, and funding options. We’re on hand if issues pop up on site.
  • What are my responsibilities?
    Provide quality on-the-job training across scaffolding tasks, supervise appropriately (especially at height), allow time for assessments and off-job learning, maintain safe systems of work, and keep gear/tagging compliant.
  • Do we need any registrations or tickets?
    Scaffolding isn’t a PGDB/EWRB-licensed trade. Your apprentice completes NZQA qualifications (Level 3 then Level 4). Sites may require Site Safe or ConstructSafe, harness competency, and sometimes EWP—your Account Manager will help plan these.
  • How long does a scaffolding apprenticeship take?
    Typically 2–4 years, depending on prior experience, the variety of work available, and progress through assessments and block courses.
  • Do apprentices need to attend block courses?
    Yes. Off-job block courses and online theory are essential—covering planning, loads/ties, systems and components, and safety/compliance. We’ll share dates early so you can plan workloads.
  • What funding is available?
    Funding changes over time. We’ll advise current government support (e.g., employer subsidies) and relevant programme funding during sign-up.
  • What if my apprentice is struggling?
    Talk to your Account Manager early. We can set up a support plan, schedule catch-ups, and provide extra guidance so progress stays on track.

Scaffolding Apprentice FAQs

Everything you need to know about starting and succeeding in a scaffolding apprenticeship.

First, get a job with a scaffolding company. You and your employer then sign a training agreement with EarnLearn. We’ll set up your programme and induction so you can start training on site.
Not always. Many apprentices start as a labourer or yard hand, then move into an apprenticeship once work-ready. A pre-trade or Site Safe/ConstructSafe card can help you stand out, but it’s not compulsory.
You’ll learn on the job—setting out bases, standards, ledgers, transoms and decks, bracing, ties/anchors, towers and edge protection—while completing off-job learning (block courses and online modules). Your logbook and assessments track progress through Levels 3–4.
Yes. You earn from day one. Pay typically increases as you gain competencies and take on more responsibility.
An EarnLearn Account Manager checks in every 8 weeks, helps plan training, keeps assessments moving, and connects you with learning or wellbeing support if needed.
Short bursts of off-job learning that build theory—site safety and planning, load and tie design, systems and components, hazard management, and compliance. They’re essential for completing your qualification.
Your employer will induct you and provide PPE. Many crews require Site Safe or ConstructSafe, harness competency for work at height, and sometimes EWP tickets. We’ll help you plan what’s needed for your sites.
Usually 2–4 years across Level 3 then Level 4, depending on your work exposure, how quickly you complete assessments, and any prior experience.
Scaffolding isn’t a PGDB/EWRB-licensed trade. You’ll complete NZQA-recognised qualifications (Level 3 → Level 4) and any site-required tickets (e.g., Site Safe/ConstructSafe, harness, EWP). Your employer provides supervision while you train.
You’ll complete final assessments at Level 4 showing you can plan, lead, and hand-over jobs safely. That opens up roles like leading hand, supervisor, site coordination, and pathways into advanced tickets or running your own crew.

Supporting apprentices
& employers succeed

EarnLearn provides free, specialised learning and wellbeing support services to all apprentices and employers during their training. 

Wellbeing support
Learning support
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Our team is nationwide

Our nationwide team of dedicated EarnLearn Account Managers (AM) are your ‘go-to’ for all things related to your apprentice’s training. They help coordinate off-job and on-job learning, and can provide support from enrolment through to completion.

We check in on our apprentices every 8 weeks throughout their training to ensure they are supported in all ways. 

If you have any questions, give them a call.

Contact Us


0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT)
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm

If you’re overseas, please phone 
+64 09 9051748

supportel@earnlearn.ac.nz

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