We are carrying out a comprehensive review of water services qualifications and standards. This review supports industry by ensuring these qualifications are fit for purpose for the water sector and that graduates can meet future industry requirements.
The project will involve reviewing the water qualifications listed below, considering any new credentials required (such as standards to support trade-waste training), and developing a set of new skill standards that will be used in place of unit standards in programmes across the reviewed qualification suite.
We have completed the Investigative Phase (Stage 1) of the Water Services Qualification Review.
Stage 1 was an opportunity for the sector and providers to tell us what they think about the current suite of qualifications and standards and the development needs across the water services sector.
We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to Stage 1. We’ve prepared an insights report that captures the valuable feedback we received and outlines our recommended actions to address the key topics raised.
We’re excited to share the Water Services Qualification Review Insights Report.
Stage 2 has included working alongside subject matter experts and other stakeholders to review the following qualifications, develop skill standards and explore new developments that will deliver an improved credential suite for the water services sector.
We are pleased to share details of new qualifications and micro-credentials for the water services sector in New Zealand. To ensure these qualifications reflect the skills required for the water services industry, we’d like your feedback.
You can find qualifications and new micro-credentials documents linked below. Each document contains the outcomes of the qualification or micro-credential and the relevant skills.
New Zealand Certificate in Water Services (Level 3), with strands in Drinking Water and Wastewater
This qualification is designed for people interested in the water services industry or those who have recently been employed in the industry. This qualification takes about 6 months to complete.
New Zealand Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Treatment Processes
This qualification is designed for people who want to work in operator roles in a drinking water treatment plant.
New Zealand Certificate in Wastewater Plant Operations (Level 4) with optional strands in Treatment Processes
This qualification is designed for people who want to work in operator roles in a wastewater treatment plant.
New Zealand Certificate in Trade Waste (Consenting and Compliance) (Level 4)
This qualification is designed for people who want to work in Trade Waste Compliance Officer roles.
Introduction to Water Services Micro-credential, Level 3
This micro-credential is designed to provide people with the skills and knowledge to describe the water services industry in Aotearoa, and the regulatory environment.
Working with small on-site drinking water supply, Level 3
This micro-credential is designed for provide people with the skills and knowledge to safely operate a small onsite water system, to ensure safety and sufficiency of water supply.
Sampling and Testing Micro-credential
This micro-credential can be used by those who work in, and alongside, the water services industry, such as regional council staff and contractors, laboratory staff, all operators, small supply operators, schools, and other relative sectors e.g tourism, housing developments and agriculture.
If you have any feedback or questions, would like to further discuss the qualification and micro-credential proposals, or would like draft copies of the skill standards, please email Hannah Clark, Qualifications Developer. Please send your feedback by 24 October.
Qualification reviews that will continue into 2026 by the Infrastructure Industry Skills Board:
