New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying

Course details

Feb 2026
One semester
Full-time
$5,262*
You may qualify for fee-free study under MPTT*
Level 3
Hamilton Rotokauri Campus

Please note that places on this programme are limited.

Applications will be assessed as they are received. Click here to find out more about the process. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.

Summary

Take your first step towards a plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying apprenticeship.

This semester-long introductory course will teach you the hands-on skills and theory required to enter the plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying industries. Learn up-to-date technology and trends from industry-expert tutors, who support you in gaining the foundations to move into an apprenticeship with confidence.

You will be based in our purpose-built trades building and exposed to a wide range of workshop resources that ensure you receive the experience you need to thrive in the industry.

View programme modules

Module Code	Module Title	Level	Credits
BILD319	Essential Safety Skills for PGD	3	18
BILD320	Patterns, Tools, Regulatory and Ethical Considerations	2	14
BILD321	Introduction to Drainlaying	3	11
BILD322	Introduction to Plumbing	3	23
BILD323	Introduction to Gasfitting	2	4

Career/further opportunities

The course is designed to give you foundational knowledge, skills, and confidence. The next step if you are looking to become a fully-qualified tradesperson, is to complete an apprenticeship. For those who do not pursue apprenticeships, on completion of the initial course, this qualification does provide useful technical understanding to work in jobs relating to these industries, such as a salesperson for a retailer, or for a company selling these products within the industry to licensed practitioners.

Events

Disclaimers

* Fees disclaimer applies

Entry criteria

There is open entry to this programme although students must demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success.

Selection criteria

To meet legal and health requirements, candidates must be physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme.

Where there are more candidates than places available in the programme, selection will be made on the basis of the following criteria:

Whether candidates have completed three years of secondary education; and
Candidates’ academic achievement in NCEA Level 1 and/or NCEA Level 2, or Year 11 and/or
Year 12 English and Mathematics.

English language requirements

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5, with no individual band score lower than 5; or equivalent.

Please note, as some of the practical components within this programme are considered high risk, students will be required to submit to an initial drug screen and may be required to submit to further drug screening if there is reasonable cause to suspect a student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as per the Wintec Drug & Alcohol Policy (OP-16/04).

Want to see full details of the entry criteria?

VIEW PROGRAMME REGULATIONS

Don't meet the entry criteria?

CONTACT US

Pathways

To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 1 2026

Date: Monday 9 February 2026
Time: 8 am
Venue: G Block, Rotokauri Campus

What you will need

Please bring a notebook and pen with you. You will need to purchase their own safety boots and New Zealand approved safety glasses before starting the course. These are available to purchase at Blackwoods. You may also need to purchase tools once you start.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

New Zealand-based suppliers

General book suppliers

First aid certificate

Health status

Uniform

Equipment

Clinical placement

Prospectus (course guide)

The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

Undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate course guide (Prospectus)