Electrical Engineering Technician

Kaihangarau Take Pūhiko

Electrical engineering technicians interpret the designs and technical instructions of electrical engineers, then ensure they are accurately carried out. They also develop, install, test and maintain equipment that produces, transmits or uses power.

Learn about this job

Secondary education
Useful experience
What you will do
Skills and knowledge
Related Wintec courses
Entry requirements
Chances of getting a job
Find out more about training
Career progression and specialisations
Working conditions
Physical requirements
Useful personal qualities
Industry
Similar jobs in the industry

Secondary education

To enter tertiary training you need 48 NCEA Level 2 credits in maths, science (such as physics) and technology subjects. At least 12 of these credits must be in maths.

Study fields

Study levels

Diploma

Useful experience

Useful experience for electrical engineering technicians includes:

engineering work
draughting work
electrical or mechanical work
using tools
applying health and safety guidelines.

What you will do

Electrical engineering technicians may do some or all of the following:

understand and follow electrical plans and instructions
install, repair, test, and maintain test models of electrical systems
record data on testing techniques, equipment, and other work
report findings and results to colleagues and clients
research new ways to solve electrical problems
outline the materials needed for new work projects
calculate the cost of new equipment needed for new work projects
judge the condition of electrical equipment, to ensure safety and design standards are met
help design electrical installations and control circuits, under the supervision of an engineer.

Skills and knowledge

Electrical engineering technicians need to have:

knowledge of electrical theory and practice
an understanding of health and safety, and industry standard guidelines
knowledge of how to use and care for their equipment
good practical and technical skills to operate and maintain equipment
drawing skills and the ability to interpret design drawings.

Related Wintec courses

New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3)

Pay

New electrical engineering technicians usually earn

$23-$27

per hour

Senior electrical engineering technicians usually earn

$34-$43

per hour

Job opportunities

Good

Chances of getting a job as an electrical engineering technician are good due to a shortage of workers.

Length of training

2-3

years of training required.

Industry

Engineering

Similar jobs in this industry

Mechanical Engineering Technician

Electrical Engineer

Telecommunications Technician

Electronics Trades Worker

Electrician

Entry requirements

To become an electrical engineering technician you need to complete a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering – Electrical (Level 6).

NZ Unified Diplomas in Engineering website - information on engineering diplomas

Chances of getting a job

Shortage of electrical engineering technicians

Opportunities for electrical engineering technicians are good due to a shortage of workers, and high demand for their services.

Electrical engineering technician appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term, and construction and infrastructure skill shortage lists. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled electrical engineering technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 2,475 electrical engineering technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Range of factors contribute to demand for electrical engineering technicians

Demand for electrical engineering technicians is expected to remain strong due to:

an ageing workforce, with many electrical engineering technicians reaching retirement
government investment in upgrading the national grid – the high-voltage network that carries electricity around the country
New Zealand's growing population, which means greater demand for new housing, commercial areas, and power-generating equipment.

Types of employers varied

Electrical engineering technicians work for companies that install, service and maintain electrical networks. These include:

electrical maintenance and contracting companies
power-generation companies
engineering firms
the Defence Force.

Find out more about training

Connexis: (07) 834 3038 - www.connexis.org.nz
Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB): (0800) 661 000 - info@ewrb.govt.nz - www.ewrb.govt.nz
Electricity Engineers' Association of NZ (EEA): (04) 473 8600 - admin@eea.co.nz - www.eea.co.nz
Engineering New Zealand: (04) 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org - www.engineeringnz.org

Progression and specialisations

Electrical engineering technicians may progress to supervisory roles overseeing a team of technicians.

They may also complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) or equivalent qualifications, and move into an electrical engineering role.

Electrical engineer job information

Working conditions

Electrical engineering technicians:

usually work regular business hours, but may have to be on call or work irregular hours
work in laboratories, workshops, power stations and substations.

Physical Requirements

Electrical engineering technicians need to have normal colour vision, as electrical components are often colour-coded.

They also need to be reasonably fit as they may have to walk long distances to work sites, and carry equipment.

Useful personal qualities

Electrical engineering technicians need to be:

accurate and methodical
safety-conscious
good at maths
reliable
able to follow instructions
able to work well under pressure
good at solving problems
good at making decisions.