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Take advantage of unmatched electrical engineering apprenticeship training. Enjoy a variety of work challenges very few electrician careers offer.

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.

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:

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.

$50,597

Under Initial Training

$64,177

Starting Trade Training

$129,061

Future Potential Earnings

Figures updated on July 1st 2023

Benefits and allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae

Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels

Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases

Opportunities to travel

Free and subsidised medical and dental care

Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases

Free and subsidised insurance cover

Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Entry requirements

Basics

Education

Fitness and Medical

Citizenship

Period of Service

3 years secondary school.

Note, that qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

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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