Starting a Trade in NZ

Apprentice jobs in NZ. Start a trade that pays.

Free AI toolkit for Kiwi apprentices. Pay by trade and year, how to land your first apprenticeship, CV with no experience, and interview prep.

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Pay check

Apprentice wages by trade and year

Rough 2026 ranges. Year 4 apprentices are close to qualified rates in most trades.

Year 1
$22–$25/hr
Minimum wage or slightly above. Plus training through an ITO like BCITO or Connexis.
Year 2
$25–$28/hr
Bigger jumps in building, plumbing and electrical than auto.
Year 3
$28–$32/hr
Starting to run small jobs on your own.
Year 4 / final
$30–$36/hr
Close to qualified rate. Big pay jump on sign-off.
Your toolkit

3 tools to land an apprenticeship

Apprentice CV + cover letter

No work experience? No worries. AI builds a one-page CV around your school, part-time work, Site Safe and drivers — what employers actually want to see.

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Apprentice pay check

Know the right rate to negotiate for year 1, 2, 3 and year 4 by trade and region — before you agree.

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Apprenticeships matched to you

Upload your CV — AI finds NZ apprenticeship listings that match the trade and region you want in 60 seconds.

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FAQ

Questions new apprentices ask

How do I start a trade apprenticeship in NZ?
Two routes. (1) Land a job with an employer who signs you up through an ITO like BCITO (building, plumbing), Connexis (infrastructure, energy), Competenz (manufacturing, engineering) or MITO (automotive). (2) Start a pre-apprenticeship course at a polytech, then apply to employers. The first route pays sooner.
How much do first-year apprentices earn in NZ in 2026?
Most first-year apprentices sit at $22–$25/hr. The starting-out minimum wage is $19.16/hr, but most trades pay above that. Pay rises each year of the apprenticeship, and year 4 apprentices are typically close to a qualified rate.
What trades are in shortest supply in NZ?
Electricians, plumbers, gasfitters, drainlayers, diesel mechanics and heavy machinery operators are all on the Green List or the construction skill-shortage list. These trades are the easiest to get an apprenticeship in right now.
What should be on an apprentice CV with no experience?
One page. Lead with drivers licence, Site Safe (if you have it), any physical or after-school work. List school subjects relevant to trade (maths, tech, physics). Then volunteer or community work. Add a one-line personal statement: honest, reliable, keen to learn. Two referees — a teacher and a part-time boss work fine.
Do I need NCEA or school qualifications to start an apprenticeship?
Most employers prefer NCEA Level 2, especially in maths and English. Some trades (electrical, plumbing) require it. If you don’t have it, many polytechs offer a Level 2 pre-trade programme that ITO employers recognise.
For NZ Employers

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Every applicant lists their NCEA, licence and Site Safe up front, and preps with free AI tools before they apply. Less time filtering, keener first-timers in your inbox.

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