Jobseeker FAQs

If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you need a valid visa or work permit. Non domestic students have fees and are not funded.

Your visa or work permit must cover the time it will take to complete your qualification.

For example, if you want to enrol in a qualification that will take six months to complete, then you must have a visa or work permit that is valid for at least six months from the day you start your qualification.

You must also have a job in an industry that we work with.

Either:

• You are employed in New Zealand (for apprenticeships, you must be employed in the industry you wish to complete your apprenticeship in) OR
• You are a self-employed contractor working in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment OR
• For traineeships only - you are volunteering in New Zealand under an  arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment, where the Tertiary Education Commission has granted permission for you to access funded training as a volunteer.

Generally, employers pay the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship.

To find out how much an apprenticeship or traineeship will cost, please get your employer to call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz and we can arrange for someone to visit your workplace to discuss your training needs.

If you are not a New Zealand citizen then you need a valid visa or work permit.

Your visa or work permit must cover the time it will take to complete your qualification.

For example, if you want to enrol in a qualification that will take six months to complete, then you must have a visa or work permit that is valid for at least six months from the day you start your qualification.

You must be 16 years of age or older to enrol into any Competenz qualifications, unless you have an early leaving exemption certificate from the Ministry of Education.

Apprenticeships are three to four years long.

Traineeships can be anywhere between six and 18 months long.

You're on the right track to becoming an apprentice or trainee with Competenz!

The first thing to do is double-check that you meet the following criteria:

• You are 16 years of age or over (unless you have an early leaving exemption certificate from the Ministry of Education)
• You are employed in New Zealand OR
• You are a self-employed contractor working in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment OR
• For traineeships only, you are volunteering in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment, where the Tertiary Education Commission has granted permission for you to access funded training as a volunteer
• You have a valid form of identity documentation OR
• If you are a non-New Zealand citizen you must have a legal right to reside and work in New Zealand for the anticipated duration of your traineeship. You will need a visa or work permit that confirms this. Please note Non domestic students have fees and are not funded.

If this sounds like you, then the next step is to talk to your employer. Tell them about the training you want to do. They need to be onboard. Being a Competenz learner is a three-way agreement between us (Competenz), you (the learner) and your employer.

Then call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz andwe can arrange for someone to visit your workplace to discuss your training needs.

To do an apprenticeship or traineeship with Competenz, you need to have a job in an industry that we work with.

Either:

• You are employed in New Zealand (for apprenticeships, you must be employed in the industry you wish to complete your apprenticeship in) OR
• You are a self-employed contractor working in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment OR
• For traineeships only - you are volunteering in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment, where the Tertiary Education Commission has granted permission for you to access funded training as a volunteer.

No experience is needed to do an apprenticeship or traineeship. You just need to have a job in an industry that we work with, and have a positive attitude!

To become a trainee, in simple terms you need to; be 16 or older and be legally allowed to work in New Zealand.

Here are some more details:

• You are 16 years of age or over (unless you have an early leaving exemption certificate from the Ministry of Education)
• You are employed in New Zealand OR
• You are a self-employed contractor working in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment OR
• You are volunteering in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment, where the Tertiary Education Commission has granted permission for you to access funded training as a volunteer
• You have a valid form of identity documentation OR
• If you are a non-New Zealand citizen you must have a legal right to reside and work in New Zealand for the anticipated duration of your traineeship. You will need a visa or work permit that confirms this.

To become an apprentice you must be 16 or older, legally allowed to work in New Zealand, and have a job in the industry your apprenticeship is in.

Here are some more details:

• You are 16 years of age or over (unless you have an early leaving exemption certificate from the Ministry of Education)
• You are employed in the industry you wish to complete your apprenticeship in OR
• You are a self-employed contractor working in New Zealand under an arrangement with an organisation in the nature of employment
• You have a valid form of identity documentation OR
• If you are a non-New Zealand citizen you must have a legal right to reside and work in New Zealand for the anticipated duration of your apprenticeship. You will need a visa or work permit that confirms this.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a pathway to a lifelong career. You learn on-the-job in your workplace, get paid and become qualified for your chosen trade.

Apprenticeships are three to four years long.

Watch the video below to learn more about apprenticeships.

Traineeship

Traineeships are shorter than apprenticeships – typically 6-18 months – and range from entry level to advanced. They are formal arrangements between an employer, learner and Competenz. Traineeships lead to a nationally recognised New Zealand qualification.