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Plumbing, Gasfitting &
Drainlaying (PGD)
Training the next generation of trades people
industry-focused training for Plumbing, Gasfitting and/or Drainlaying (PGD)

The Industry Trained Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Apprenticeship programmes offer flexible, industry-focused training for Plumbing, Gasfitting and/or Drainlaying (PGD) apprentices. The new suite of Level 4 programmes contain options for workplace and block course training, along with assessment options, and combine hands-on practical experience with supporting online learning.

Industry Trained PGD Apprenticeships

Flexible Level 4 apprenticeship programmes for Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying.

Combine practical workplace learning with supporting online study.

Choose from workplace training, block courses, or a combination of both.

Every apprentice begins with Health & Safety training and an induction block course.

Your EarnLearn Account Manager will help choose the best programme for your workplace.

Health & Safety →
EarnLearn Account Managers →

Choose the pathway that suits your career goals

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying — 60 months (63 with optional wastewater strand)

Plumbing & Drainlaying — 42 months (48 with optional strand)

Plumbing & Gasfitting — 48 months

Plumbing — 36 months

Gasfitting — 36 months

Drainlaying — 24 months (27 with optional strand)

Training durations are approximate and depend on apprentice progress.

Flexible delivery to suit your business

Workplace training with assessments by an EarnLearn Assessor.

Workplace training with assessments by your registered Workplace Assessor.

Combination of workplace learning and block courses.

Employers can nominate an in-house Workplace Assessor (subject to eligibility).

Workplace rebates may apply when eligible modules are completed onsite.

Support available for apprentices and employers

Training fees are $52–$54.20 per week (incl. GST).

Rebates of $805 may apply for eligible workplace-completed modules.

Additional $34.50 per unit standard assessed by an in-house Workplace Assessor.

Eligible apprentices may receive up to $12,000 through Fees Free.

Eligible employers may qualify for Apprenticeship Boost support.

Workplace assessment

Flexible assessment that works for your workplace

Apprentices completing workplace-based modules can be assessed in different ways, depending on what works best for your business. If your workplace can provide the required training and practical experience, apprentices may complete eligible modules on the job rather than attending a block course. Where this isn’t possible, those modules can still be completed at a regional training campus.

01

Workplace trained & Workplace assessed

Training and assessment both take place within the workplace.

Assessments are completed by your business’s registered Workplace Assessor, allowing apprentices to be assessed as they progress through their training.

This option doesn’t prevent apprentices from attending block courses where additional training is beneficial.

02

Workplace trained & EarnLearn assessed

Training is completed in the workplace while assessments are carried out by an external EarnLearn Assessor.

This provides flexibility for employers who want workplace-based learning without managing assessments internally.

03

Combination of workplace & block course

A blended approach combining workplace learning with regional block courses.

This option allows apprentices to complete workplace training where available, while attending block courses for modules that require specialist facilities, equipment or experience.

Becoming a Workplace Assessor

What's required?

Complete the 4098 Workplace Assessor Training Course

Hold a current Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Board (PGDB) Certifying Licence for the qualification(s) you’re assessing

Be registered with EarnLearn

Workplaces are also required to have a registered Workplace Verifier. This may be the same person as the Workplace Assessor.

PGD trainees

A clear pathway into
your trade

A clear pathway into your trade

Earn while you learn with structured training, real-world experience, and ongoing support. We help apprentices understand what’s required at each stage and stay focused on progressing toward qualification.

For apprentices →
PGD trainees

A clear pathway into
your trade

Earn while you learn with structured training, real-world experience, and ongoing support. We help apprentices understand what’s required at each stage and stay focused on progressing toward qualification.

For apprentices →
PGD employers

Built for employers who
want certainty

Hiring an apprentice is a commercial decision. We work alongside employers to manage training requirements, compliance, and progress so your trainee adds value to the business while staying on track.

For employers →
Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
Fees & rebates

Training fees and workplace rebates

Hiring an apprentice is a commercial decision. We work alongside employers to manage training requirements, compliance, and progress so your trainee adds value to the business while staying on track.

$
Weekly training fee $52 – $54.20 incl. GST

Fees Free

FOR APPRENTICES

Eligible apprentices may be able to receive up to $12,000 towards the final two years of their work-based training through the Government’s Fees Free initiative.

Apprenticeship Boost

FOR EMPLOYERS

Eligible employers may be able to receive financial support through the Apprenticeship Boost scheme while training an apprentice.

Training fee rebates

Where training or assessments are completed in the workplace rather than through a block course, the following rebates may be provided:

$805 GST incl.

Per block course where an apprentice completes an entire learning and assessment module in the workplace.

$34.50 GST incl.

Per unit standard assessed by an in-house Workplace Assessor.

Rebates will be paid to the person or company paying the apprentice training fees. Rebates only apply to complete modules and are calculated quarterly. Rebates will be processed once all training fees are confirmed as up to date.

HOW IT WORKS

A clear, supported PGD pathway

EarnLearn works alongside plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying apprentices and employers to deliver practical, workplace-led training that meets licensing requirements without unnecessary complexity.

01

Get set up

We work with you and your employer to confirm the right PGD qualification pathway, licensing expectations, and training plan from day one, whether you are completing a single trade or working toward a combined PGD pathway.

02

Learn on the job

PGD training is mapped directly to real plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying tasks so skills are built on site, in real conditions, and supported by structured off-job learning where required.

03

Check in and track progress

Regular check-ins, clear milestones, and assessment support help apprentices progress through PGD competencies while giving employers visibility over training, performance, and compliance.

04

Stay supported

Pastoral care and wellbeing support help PGD apprentices stay motivated and on track, while employers receive guidance, issue resolution support, and a clear point of contact throughout the training journey.

05

Finish strong

We support apprentices through to completion, ensuring PGD skills are assessed, recognised, and aligned with registration and licensing requirements, so apprentices finish confident, capable, and work-ready.

Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
Frequently Asked Questions

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying FAQs

Quick answers for learners and employers about the New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying (Level 4)

Indicative completion times (actual time depends on workplace exposure and study progress):

  • Plumbing + Gasfitting + Drainlaying: ~5 years
  • Plumbing + Gasfitting: ~4 years
  • Plumbing + Drainlaying: ~4 years
  • Plumbing only: ~3 years
  • Gasfitting only: ~3 years
  • Drainlaying only: ~2 years

Staying on top of on-job tasks and attending block courses helps you finish on time.

The programme leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying (Level 4) [Ref: 2663].

Click link below to see NZQA for details

New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4) →

We assist with recruitment/onboarding through our EarnLearn TradeMatch, structured training plans, assessor support, and pastoral care.

Wellbeing Support →
Learning Support →
EarnLearn TradeMatch →

If you have questions specific to the new PGD industry trained apprenticeships, please see our FAQ page here. 

FAQs →
GET In touch

Talk to us about plumbing, gasfitting & drainlaying apprenticeships

Whether you are an apprentice starting out or an employer building capability, we will help you confirm the right plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying pathway and get training underway.

Confirm the right PGD pathway and expected timeframe

Understand evidence, assessments, and block course requirements

Get a clear plan so progress stays on track

Send an enquiry

Share a few details and we will point you to the right next step.

Tip: If you are an employer, include how many apprentices you want to train.

plumbing gasfitting drainlaying apprenticeship Get in touch