9. Registration
107. Before undertaking "gasfitting" or "prescribed electrical work" (as defined in the Regulations under the PG&D Act and the Electricity Act respectively), workers are required to demonstrate to the respective boards that they have fulfilled the qualification requirements. Registration is formal recognition that standards have been met. Registration also serves several other secondary purposes such as:
- providing boards with a cost recovery mechanism. (The current electrical registration fee is $69 and a fee of $34 is charged for the registration certificate. The EWRB has proposed that these fees be increased. The fees for gas workers are $69 for registration and $48 for the registration certificate); and
- providing a mailing list which can be used to keep qualified people informed of changes in legislation and new standards, whether or not they are currently practising or working legally under a current practising licence.
108. There is some work that is identified in legislation as able to be carried out by a person who is registered, but not licensed i.e. without a current practising licence.
109. In the case of electrical workers, the discrepancy between the number of people registered and the number of people with a current practising licence is significant. For instance, there were 16,552 registered electricians, but only 10,605 of these had current practising licences in 1998. Many of those that are registered, but not licensed will not be practising electricians (e.g. some may have moved into management positions or retired). There is no incentive for registered workers to request removal from the register. There are about 370 gasfitters who are registered, but not currently licensed.
110. The Electricity Act sets out four classes of registration for electrical workers: Electrical Service Technician; Electrician; Line Mechanic; and Electrical Inspector. There are three types of registration for gas workers: Registered Gasfitter; Craftsman Gasfitter; and Gas Inspector.
111. The development of industry training organisations (ITOs) since the introduction of the Industry Training Act 1992 means that ITOs are now offering special purpose trade qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that can be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Because this has simplified the task of recognising competency and the boards have moved to focus more on ensuring the continuing competence of workers, the benefits offered by the registration mechanism have diminished.
112. There are costs to the licensing boards of maintaining large numbers of people on the register who do not provide licence fees but require services from the boards.
113. The review team believes that the "registered" worker title can be confusing for the public, who may be unaware that registered workers need an annual licence to practice legally and that the on-going competence of registered workers is not ensured by the mere fact of them being registered.
114. The review team considers that thought should be given to abolishing the concept of "registration" in favour of "licensing". The reason for this is that the licensing mechanism offers the same benefits of signaling that a person has reached a particular standard but in addition a current practising licence confirms that the person is recognised as competent to do the job now. The main purpose of registration, as distinct from licensing appears to be keeping communication channels open between the board and people who were at some point recognised as having the qualifications to practice the trade. While communication is seen as useful, the costs of communicating with non-licensed workers are currently being borne by licensed workers. People whose licences have lapsed could be given the option of paying a fee if they wish to remain on the mailing list and receive trade related information.
Back to Top