Apprentices - FAQ (Apprentices)
FAQ (Apprentices)
QUESTION
What are the main BENEFITS of being an apprentice?
ANSWER
There are many benefits to being an apprentice:
You gain a NZ National Qualification which is recognized worldwide
Employers look for people with qualifications
You earn while you learn, and do not need to get a student loan
You can learn while on the job beside skilled tradespeople

QUESTION
What does it COST?
ANSWER
When you start your apprenticeship you have to pay
1. $2 a credit. Each qualification has a different number of credits:
National Certificate Credits You Pay
Joinery Craftsperson(258) $516
Cabinetry(138) $276
Exterior Joinery(173) $346
Component Machining(105) $210
Laminate Fabrication(99) $198
Stairs(129) $258

2. $168.75 Administration Fee (one-off payment)
This is paid at the start of your apprenticeship

3. You also have to pay $450 for each off-job block course you attend.
You will receive an invoice from the Tech for $450 about a month before you have to go to the course. Sometimes employers help with course costs - it depends what has been agreed between you and your employer when you started your apprenticeship.

National Certificate - number of courses
Joinery Craftsperson 5
Cabinetry 3
Exterior Joinery 4
Component Machining 3
Laminate Fabrication 2
Stairs 4

Financial Help: JITO and the ASB Bank offer a special banking package for JITO apprentices. If you are aged 18 years or over, you can apply for an interest-free overdraft of up to $1,000 for two years. You can pay your JITO fees by bank card, cheque or automatic payment.

QUESTION
If I need help with EMPLOYMENT issues - where do I go?
ANSWER
Contact the New Zealand Building Trades Union at their website www.nzbtu.org.nz, or the Labour Department Info Line on 0800 800 863

QUESTION
First Aid Courses - what do I have to do?
ANSWER
Every apprentice has to complete these three first aid unit standards :
6400 - Manage first aid in emergency situations (2 credits)
6401 - Provide first aid (1 credit)
6402 - Provide resuscitation level 2 (1 credit)

Please make your own bookings and pay directly for a first aid course. You can choose any Provider such as St Johns, Red Cross, etc. Courses can be attended over a weekend, or night classes, or day classes. The cost is usually between $90 and $120. Tell your first aid tutor that you need these for your qualification and that the results must be sent to NZQA so that they can be put on your Record of Learning. JITO will re-imburse $45 of your first aid course cost if you complete the units in your first year of training.

QUESTION
I have received an INVOICE from JITO - what does it cover?
ANSWER
When you start your apprenticeship you will receive a JITO invoice. The invoice will be for the credit fees ($2 each credit) and your administration fee.

QUESTION
I have received an INVOICE from the Tech - what is it for?
ANSWER
This invoice is for the course fees of $450, and a small amount for student fees which covers your ID card, etc. You should pay this before you go to Tech, or on the first day. If you haven't paid this before the end of the course, you will not receive your Student Report.

QUESTION
Do I have to complete my TIME before I get my National Certificate?
ANSWER
There are two Certificates - the National Certificate and the Completion of Apprenticeship Certificate.
You can apply for your National Certificate when all the required unit standards have been added to your NZQA Record of Learning. There is no time based requirement for the National Certificate.
The Completion of Apprenticeship Certificate will be awarded when you have completed the term of apprenticeship as it appears in your Training Agreement, and when you have gained the National Certificate. It is an industry endorsed Certificate which shows that you have practiced the skills of the industry for the term of the Apprenticeship. Different qualifications have different terms of apprenticeship.

National Certificate Term of Apprenticeship
Joinery Craftsperson 8000 hours
Cabinetry 5000 hours
Exterior Joinery 6000 hours
Component Machining 5000 hours
Laminate Fabrication 6000 hours
Stairs 5000 hours
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