Skills Trades Training

Skills Trades Training The trades that power New Zealand, all in one place.

We train the next generation of tradies across electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and roofing with hands-on learning from industry experts. ETCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Master Electricians established to provide employment and training for the electrical industry in New Zealand. Our two main areas of activity are:

* the employment and placement of electrical apprentices via our group apprenticeship scheme, and
* the provision of training courses for apprentices and tradespeople

Since our beginnings in 1991, our commitment to producing the best has helped thousands of ETCO apprentices and students achieve outstanding results and successes in industry competitions, national examinations and the industry itself.

Two of the three Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board's Excellence Award winners for 2026 trained with Skills Trad...
08/10/2026

Two of the three Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board's Excellence Award winners for 2026 trained with Skills Trades Training.

Trent Toomey topped the Certifying Gasfitter exam while still an apprentice. Already registered as a plumber and drainlayer, he's just a few block courses away from becoming a registered gasfitter at our Dunedin Skills Trades Training campus.

Chao Zheng topped the Certifying Plumber exam. A registered plumber and drainlayer in Auckland, Chao switched careers into the trades in 2021 and is now working through his gasfitting apprenticeship. He credits our tutors and training advisors for backing him:

"I genuinely don't think I would have achieved what I have without their help, putting up with all my random questions about codes and theory, as well as the questions I came back with from things I'd encountered on job sites."

Next generation tradies, setting the standard. Congratulations, Trent and Chao! πŸ†

Read the full story here: https://hail.to/plumbers-gasfitters-and-drainlayers-board/publication/l8xXZoP/article/VgjOoys

You're invited to Women in Trades, our first event for women in the trades across Dunedin and Otago.Whether you're on th...
06/10/2026

You're invited to Women in Trades, our first event for women in the trades across Dunedin and Otago.

Whether you're on the tools, in training or backing someone who is, come and meet others in the trade, swap stories and share your ideas on how we can better support the next generation of tradies in Otago.

πŸ“… Thursday 19 November, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
πŸ“ Skills Trades Training, 11 Glenelg Street, Dunedin

Drinks and nibbles are provided, and we'd love to see you there. Tag a mate who should come along. πŸ‘‡

RSVP via the link in our bio by Tuesday 17 November.

27 electrical apprentices put their skills to the test at the Trade Master Electrical Apprentice Challenge at Ascot Park...
05/10/2026

27 electrical apprentices put their skills to the test at the Trade Master Electrical Apprentice Challenge at Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill.

Apprentices from across the region competed in Industrial (12) and Domestic/Commercial (15) categories. Testing, fault finding, installation and compliance, all under the judges' eyes.

Six Etco-employed apprentices competed, alongside apprentices who train with Skills Trades Training. Proud of every one of them for stepping up.

Thanks to John and Trent for sharing their expertise as judges.

Our Christchurch campus celebrated Qinshu Qi graduating with his New Zealand Apprenticeship in Drainlaying, alongside hi...
01/10/2026

Our Christchurch campus celebrated Qinshu Qi graduating with his New Zealand Apprenticeship in Drainlaying, alongside his Skills Trades Training tutor, Ritchie Gorrie.

This is an important milestone on Qinshu's journey toward completing his New Zealand Apprenticeship in Plumbing and Drainlaying.

Well done, Qinshu. We're proud of the hard work and commitment you've shown throughout your apprenticeship so far and look forward to welcoming you back as you continue the next stage of your training. πŸ‘

30/09/2026

Ka pai to our apprentices who competed in the Trade Master Apprentice Challenge regional round at Otago Polytechnic. πŸ‘

- Liam Prouting-Gardner, Plunket Electrical: 2nd place, Domestic/Commercial
- Sam Vatuvei, Southern Electrical: 3rd place, Domestic/Commercial
- Hamish Wilson, OEC: spot prize for the tidiest workstation
- Hailey Petrie, Aotea Cromwell: spot prize for a standout question

Ngā mihi to Master Electricians and the employers backing their apprentices.

A strong turnout at our Christchurch campus for our On-Job Support Evening. Our Electrical Apprentice Training Advisors ...
29/09/2026

A strong turnout at our Christchurch campus for our On-Job Support Evening. Our Electrical Apprentice Training Advisors opened the doors so apprentices could work through their on-job requirements, ask questions and get one-on-one support to keep their progress moving.

At Skills Trades Training, supporting our apprentices goes beyond the classroom. It's about giving them what they need to stay on track and complete their apprenticeships on time.

Thank you to our Training Advisors for making it happen, and to every apprentice who came along. Your commitment was fantastic to see.

Classes start Wednesday 30 September. New Electrical Pre-Trade virtual night classes are designed to fit around your sch...
27/09/2026

Classes start Wednesday 30 September.

New Electrical Pre-Trade virtual night classes are designed to fit around your schedule, combining virtual night classes with hands-on training. πŸ’»πŸ› 

Over 44 weeks, you’ll attend:

- Virtual classes three nights a week, from 5pm to 9pm
- Two five-day, in-person block courses
- Three two-day, in-person practical workshops

Attendance at all in-person sessions is required. Find out more and enrol via the link in our bio.

High school students from across Dunedin joined our Term 3 Trades Exploration Programme.Held over consecutive Fridays, t...
26/09/2026

High school students from across Dunedin joined our Term 3 Trades Exploration Programme.

Held over consecutive Fridays, the programme gave students the chance to earn credits in Plumbing and Electrical, while getting hands-on experience in both trades. πŸ™Œ

Registered electricians, electrical installers and electrical engineers – your competency licence needs renewing every t...
24/09/2026

Registered electricians, electrical installers and electrical engineers – your competency licence needs renewing every two years. ⚑

Our Electrical Competency Refresher is now available in Otaki. Over one day, covering regulation updates, safety standards and practical assessments.

To find out more or to learn about other locations, click on the link in the bio and book now.

Bryleigh, one of our plumbing apprentices, recently joined seven other inspiring wahine as guests at Queen's High School...
23/09/2026

Bryleigh, one of our plumbing apprentices, recently joined seven other inspiring wahine as guests at Queen's High School in Dunedin.

Together they shared their career journeys with students, showcasing the many different pathways open to young women across a range of industries.

Proud to help inspire the next generation of wahine in trades.

Address

National Office, 660 Great South Road, Building 7, Level 1, Ellerslie
Auckland
1060

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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