Construction & Trades · Employer knowledge

Training, licences & competency

Match training and supervision to the work and risk, then separately check whether a licence, certificate, registration or other authorisation is legally required for the task.

New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 require a PCBU, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure workers doing work, using plant or dealing with substances capable of causing workplace risk have adequate knowledge and experience or are adequately supervised, and are adequately trained in the safe use of relevant plant, equipment, substances and PPE. Training and supervision must be suitable and adequate for the work, risks and controls, and training must be readily understandable.

This general health and safety duty is separate from trade-specific authorisation requirements. Some work may only be carried out or supervised by people who hold the required registration, practising licence, certificate or other authorisation. The exact requirement depends on the trade and task. For example, the Electrical Workers Registration Board states that prescribed electrical work is subject to registration class and current practising-licence requirements.

What should a manager have in place?

Do not treat a course certificate as proof that a person is authorised or competent for every task. Start with the actual work, identify its risks and any trade-specific legal requirements, then decide what training, supervision and evidence are needed.

Role & task requirementsIdentify the work each person will perform, the risks involved and the information, instruction, training or supervision needed for that work.

Licences & authorisationsWhere regulated work is involved, verify the applicable registration, practising licence, certificate or authorisation with the relevant NZ regulator before assigning the work.

Competency & supervisionWhere knowledge alone is not enough, use appropriate practical verification or supervision. Do not assume training completion by itself demonstrates practical competence.

Current evidenceKeep useful records of relevant training and competency checks, and where applicable monitor the status or expiry of required licences, certificates or authorisations.

Manager check

Do we know what training, instruction or supervision is needed for each person's actual work and risks?
Have we checked whether any task requires a particular NZ registration, licence, certificate or authorisation?
Where a legal authorisation is required, have we verified it with the relevant regulator rather than relying only on a copy supplied to us?
Where practical skill matters, do we distinguish course completion from competency or adequate supervision?
Can managers see when important training or regulated authorisations need review or renewal?

NZ legislation: training & supervision →Electrical licensing example →Back to Construction & Trades Hub

NZQC provides practical educational information. It is not legal advice and does not certify that a provider is compliant. Check the official source and the requirements that apply to your service, contracts and scope.