Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Apprenticeship trades | Engineering & Technical trades | Logistics & Administration
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$69,833
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Location
Trentham, Linton, Burnham or Auckland
As an Electrical Fitter you will become a soldier within the Royal New Zealand Army
Logistic Regiment (RNZALR). Electrical Fitters maintain and repair the vast range of
electrical equipment used by the New Zealand Army as well as use their knowledge to
problem solve all manner of electrical issues that arise. Within the electrical field, you will
work on power generation systems, electrical reticulation, refrigeration and air-
conditioning equipment, while ensuring Army equipment remains safe, compliant and
operational.
To do this you will become a qualified Electrician in the New Zealand Army, you will
complete a fully funded apprenticeship in New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level
4). This fully supported apprenticeship takes approximately four years to complete and
includes both on-the-job training and theoretical study, ensuring you gain a solid
foundation in all aspects of the trade. For those who demonstrate the right aptitude,
motivation, and leadership potential, further advanced training opportunities are available.
These may include specialist qualifications, instructional roles, or progression into technical
and supervisory positions within the New Zealand Army.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
Education
- 3 years secondary school.
Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
Once you have completed training you will be required to give a two year return of service to the NZ Army.
Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation, you will be required to serve 2 years in the Army. This helps the NZDF make the most of the skills and knowledge you’ve built during your training.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
“The Electrical Fitter is almost a jack of all trades, doing electrical and refrigeration, and basic engineering skills.”
Scott Welsh
Private
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Job in camp
In camp, Electrical Fitters maintain generators, refrigeration systems, air-conditioning systems and other electrical equipment. They conduct electrical safety inspections, provide technical advice, support military exercises and assist Army units with electrical maintenance requirements. Variety is provided in your day-to-day camp routine by the inclusion of sport, PT, parades, and other soldier skills and training activities, such as weapons handling or first aid.
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Job on deployment
During deployments, Electrical Fitters provide essential maintenance and logistical support
to operational units, ensuring critical electrical systems and equipment remain reliable and
mission ready. They contribute to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and military
operations both at home and overseas. Over the last three decades, Electrical Fitters have
supported New Zealand Defence Force commitments in Bosnia, Bougainville, East
Timor/Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Republic of Korea, and Egypt, delivering
specialist electrical expertise in support of international operations and enduring missions.Whether responding to the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes, supporting recovery
efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle, or assisting communities affected by severe weather
events throughout the Southwest Pacific, Electrical Fitters consistently perform in
demanding and challenging environments. Their ability to maintain, repair, and sustain
critical electrical capability is invaluable, enabling operations to continue in locations
ranging from Antarctica to disaster-stricken regions. Their expertise remains fundamental
to operational effectiveness, ensuring personnel can live, work, and operate safely wherever
the mission requires.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:
- Organisation and Administration
- Army Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
- First Aid
- Physical Fitness
02Job Training
Job Training
Corps training within the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.
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Conducted in two modules, Module One being a 1-day online course, and Module Two, a four week residential course held in either Linton or Burnham, where you will be introduced to basic RNZALR skills.
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Mod 1: Introduces you to NZDF Health and Safety Policy covering Height Safety, Driver Fatigue Management and Equipment Care.
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Mod 2: Covers introduction and qualification of non-trade specific tasks in an Operational Combat Service Support environment. This includes:
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Understand Combat Service Support to enable combat forces to sustain operations and achieve their mission,
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Operate In Service Radio Equipment; and
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Operation of the Machine Gun 7.62mm MAG 58 and the Pistol Glock 17.
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Electrical Fitter training is delivered through a combination of military and civilian trade training over approximately four years. Apprentices work towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4), leading to recognised industry qualifications and registration pathways, and for some the New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration Engineering and Air Conditioning. (Level 4)
Electrical Fitter apprentices will conduct Basic Engineering as part of the Basic Electrical Fitter Course, during this initial phase, you will gain practical experience across a range of core subjects, including;
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Introduction to hand tools
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Basic mechanical fitting
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Gas and MIG welding introductions
This will then be followed by 5 weeks of intensive training at Polytech learning the foundation knowledge required for the electrical apprenticeship.
At the conclusion of that the electrical phase of the Basic Electrical Fitter Course will begin, solidifying the knowledge gained at Polytech and using it to gain exposure and awareness of the repair and maintenance of NZ Army electrical equipment platforms.
Throughout the course of the apprenticeship, Electrical Fitters will spend time working in the civilian sector for civilian electrical firms to gain valuable experience and repetition as they progress through their apprenticeship. These opportunities guarantee depth in the knowledge they have to be able to work alone domestically or globally and remedy all manner of electrical problems that they are faced with, with confidence.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Training includes maintenance and repair of single-phase and three-phase generators, field electrical equipment, electrical fault-finding, refrigeration systems and air-conditioning systems. Periodically they will return to Polytech and to the Trade Training School in Trentham, for further learning and continuation training as they progress through their apprenticeship. Soldiers also continue leadership and military development training throughout their careers.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
As you gain experience, you can work in specialist units, undertake civilian industry placements, supervise maintenance teams, become an instructor, or progress into leadership and management appointments within the New Zealand Army. The skills and qualifications are not limited to just the electrical industry, there is potential for all Electrical Fitters to attain Refrigeration Engineering qualifications, Heavy vehicle licences and endorsements, weapon range and field firing qualifications amongst numerous other opportunities.
05Specialist Training
Specialist Training
Some Electrical Fitters have the opportunity to continue their professional development by completing the New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration Engineering and Air Conditioning. This qualification develops specialist skills in refrigeration, climate-control systems, installation, servicing and advanced fault diagnosis. Others will follow numerous other streams to enhance their operational skills leading to other roles outside of the electrical trade, still within the NZ Army and wider Defence Force
Meet Burnham's Electrical Fitter team leader
CPL Braeden Botica says anyone wanting to join as an Electrical Fitter in the Army should expect variety day-to-day, a well-paid trade, and the opportunity to grow as a person.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Subsidised insurance cover
Salary & benefits
Fully funded apprenticeship, nationally recognised trade qualifications, competitive salary and extensive professional development opportunities.
All Electrical Fitter apprentices are issued their own personal toolkit to have for the whole of their military career the tools within the kit are specially put together to enable Electrical Fitters to have the right equipment for any task they may find themselves having to conduct.
Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
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Under training
$69,833
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Future potential earnings
$100,996
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Army career?
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