ScaffolderHigh demand
$72k
5 years in
ticketed scaffolder
$95k+
Expert
advanced / supervisor
Scaffolders build and dismantle the temporary access structures that let every other trade work safely at height — on everything from house renovations to high-rise and infrastructure projects. It's physical, outdoor, team-based work with a strong safety culture, and it's one of the fastest ways onto a construction site with no prior qualifications.
Career switchers. A great entry point if you're fit, reliable and comfortable at height — labouring, farming or any physical-work background transfers straight in. There's a clear ticketing ladder (Elementary → Intermediate → Advanced), and experienced scaffolders move into supervision, rigging or site management.
Entry: No qualifications needed to start. You're hired first, then complete height-safety inductions and train on the job.
How you get there
Get hired as a trainee scaffolder
Apply directly to scaffolding and construction firms. Attitude, fitness and reliability matter more than grades. Site Safe and height-safety inductions come first.
Paid from day one
NZ Certificate in Scaffolding (Level 3–4)
Work-based training (Te Pūkenga). Progress through the WorkSafe ticket levels — Elementary, then Intermediate and Advanced Certificates of Competence — covering safe erection, inspection and dismantling.
~2 yearsFree — apprenticeship
Advanced / Ticketed Scaffolder → Supervisor
Certified to build complex scaffolds and supervise crews. Advanced tickets and supervisory roles push earnings well past $90k.
2–3 years to ticketed
Working at heightScaffold erectionHeight-safety systemsLoad & inspectionPhysical fitness
Fast in, no debt: scaffolding is one of the quickest construction trades to start — hired with no qualifications, earning from day one, ticketing up to $90k+ without a tuition bill.
Roofing InstallerHigh demand
$50k
Starting out
apprentice
$70k
5 years in
qualified roofer
$92k+
Expert
foreman / self-employed
Roofers install, repair and weatherproof the roofs that keep New Zealand's buildings dry — metal, membrane and tile, plus flashings, spouting and waterproofing. It's outdoor work at height with real craft to it: get the detailing right and the building lasts decades. Roofing crews are busy year-round across new builds, re-roofs and repairs.
Career switchers. Suits people who like working with their hands, outdoors, and seeing a finished result the same day. Building, sheet-metal or labouring experience helps. Qualified roofers are in steady demand and many go on to run their own crews or businesses.
Entry: Apprenticeship entry — you're hired by a roofing company and train on the job. NCEA helpful but not essential; a head for heights and reliability matter most.
How you get there
Get hired as a roofing apprentice
Apply to roofing companies and sign up to a BCITO apprenticeship through your employer. You earn a full wage from day one.
Paid from day one
NZ Certificate in Roofing (Level 4)
Work-based apprenticeship (BCITO). Covers metal and membrane roofing, flashings, waterproofing detailing and height safety, assessed on real jobs.
~3 yearsFree — apprenticeship
Qualified Roofer → Foreman
Run jobs, lead crews and take on complex re-roofs. Many qualified roofers move into supervision or start their own roofing business.
~3 years to qualified
Metal & membrane roofingFlashings & detailingWaterproofingHeight safetyPlan reading
Same-day satisfaction: roofing is craft you can see finished at the end of a job. Steady year-round work, and a clear route to running your own crew.
Carpenter and JoinerCritical demand
$52k
Starting out
apprentice
$75k
5 years in
qualified carpenter
$105k+
Expert
LBP / site foreman
Carpenters frame, fix and finish buildings — from setting out foundations and erecting framing to installing windows, doors, decks and interior fit-out. Joiners craft the timber components that go into them. It's the cornerstone building trade: read the plans, build to the code, and turn a bare site into a finished home or building.
Career switchers. The most transferable construction trade — skills carry across residential, commercial and joinery, and into site management. School-leavers and career-changers alike start here. A Green-List shortage role, so demand and pathways to residence are strong for skilled migrants.
Entry: Apprenticeship entry. NCEA Level 1–2 (especially Maths) is helpful but not required — you're hired by a builder and train towards the national qualification.
How you get there
Get hired as a carpentry apprentice
Apply to building firms and sign on to a BCITO apprenticeship through your employer. Paid from day one — no tuition debt.
Paid from day one
NZ Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)
Work-based apprenticeship (BCITO). Covers setting out, framing, fixing, finishing, plan reading and the Building Code — assessed on real builds, roughly 4 years and ~6,000 hours.
3–4 yearsFree — apprenticeship
Qualified Carpenter → Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
Register as an LBP to carry out and supervise restricted building work — the gateway to running jobs as a foreman or site manager, and to self-employment.
3–4 years to qualifiedLBP registration
Framing & fixingPlan readingBuilding CodeFinishing & fit-outSetting out
Green-List shortage trade: carpentry is on Immigration NZ's Green List — in such high demand it carries a residence pathway. Qualify, become an LBP, and the ceiling is foreman/site-manager pay and your own business.
DrainlayerCritical demand
$55k
Starting out
apprentice
$80k
5 years in
licensed drainlayer
$105k+
Expert
certifying / self-employed
Drainlayers install and repair the stormwater and wastewater drains that protect public health and keep properties dry — trenching, laying and connecting pipes, and pressure-testing to code. One of the three regulated PGD trades: licensed drainlayers can work unsupervised and certify their own work.
Career switchers. Civil, plumbing or earthworks experience crosses over directly. It's a strong standalone trade and a natural companion to plumbing — many tradespeople hold both. A Green-List role, so demand and migrant pathways are strong. Overseas-qualified workers register through the PGD Board.
Entry: NCEA Level 2 Maths & English. You're hired as an apprentice with a drainlaying or civil firm and train on the job towards PGDB registration.
How you get there
Get hired as a drainlaying apprentice
Apply to drainlaying, plumbing or civil contractors. NCEA L2 Maths & English gets you in the door. Paid from day one.
Paid from day oneNCEA L2 Maths & English
NZ Certificate in Drainlaying (Level 4)
Work-based apprenticeship. Covers trenching, pipe installation, connections, testing and Building Code G13 compliance — roughly 4 years on the job.
~4 yearsFree — apprenticeship
PGDB registration → Licensed Drainlayer
Register and licence with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board to work unsupervised and certify your own drainage work. Required by law to practise.
PGDB licence
Pipe installationTrenching & excavationPressure testingBuilding Code G13Site setting-out
Regulated = protected: drainlaying is licensed by the PGD Board, so only registered drainlayers can certify the work. That regulation is exactly why the pay holds up and the work is steady.
PlumberCritical demand
$55k
Starting out
apprentice
$82k
5 years in
certifying plumber
$115k+
Expert
PGD / self-employed
Plumbers install and maintain the water, drainage, hot-water and gas systems that every home and building depends on — pipework, fixtures, cylinders, valves and pumps — plus fault-finding and compliance. A regulated PGD trade: once registered and licensed you can certify your own work and take on whatever comes through the door.
Career switchers. Plumbing is the anchor of the PGD trades — many plumbers add gasfitting and drainlaying for the strongest earnings and the broadest work. A Green-List shortage role with a residence pathway. Overseas-qualified plumbers register through the PGD Board.
Entry: NCEA Level 2 Maths & English. Hired as an apprentice with a plumbing firm; train on the job towards PGDB registration and a Certifying licence.
How you get there
Get hired as a plumbing apprentice
Apply to plumbing companies. NCEA L2 Maths & English is your entry ticket. You earn a full wage from day one while you train.
Paid from day oneNCEA L2 Maths & English
NZ Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4)
Work-based apprenticeship — pipework, fixtures, hot-water systems, backflow and compliance, assessed on real jobs over roughly 4 years.
~4 yearsFree — apprenticeship
PGDB registration → Certifying Plumber
Register and licence with the PGD Board to certify your own work. Add gasfitting and drainlaying (PGD) to reach the top of the pay range and the widest demand.
PGDB licence
Pipework & fixturesHot-water systemsFault diagnosisBackflow & complianceCustomer service
Stack the tickets: plumbers who also register as gasfitters and drainlayers (PGD) command the highest wages and never run short of work — the licences compound.
GasfitterCritical demand
$55k
Starting out
apprentice
$85k
5 years in
certifying gasfitter
$120k+
Expert
PGD / self-employed
Gasfitters install, commission and certify gas appliances and pipework — hot-water systems, heating, cooktops and commercial gas — making sure every installation is safe and compliant. The most specialised of the PGD trades, and because gaswork is safety-critical and regulated, certifying gasfitters are well paid and in short supply.
Career switchers. Usually trained alongside plumbing — most gasfitters are plumber-gasfitters. If you're precise, safety-minded and like technical work, this is the highest-earning corner of the PGD trades. Overseas-qualified gasfitters register through the PGD Board.
Entry: NCEA Level 2 Maths & English. Commonly entered with or after plumbing; hired as an apprentice and trained towards PGDB registration and a Certifying licence.
How you get there
Get hired as a gasfitting apprentice
Apply to plumbing/gasfitting firms — gasfitting is often trained alongside plumbing. NCEA L2 Maths & English required. Paid from day one.
Paid from day oneNCEA L2 Maths & English
NZ Certificate in Gasfitting (Level 4)
Work-based apprenticeship — gas appliance installation, pipework, commissioning and certification, assessed on real jobs over roughly 4 years.
~4 yearsFree — apprenticeship
PGDB registration → Certifying Gasfitter
Register and licence with the PGD Board to certify gaswork. Safety-critical, regulated and in short supply — which is exactly why it pays the most of the PGD trades.
PGDB licence
Gas appliance installPipework & commissioningCertification & complianceFault-findingSafety-critical work
Highest-paid PGD trade: gaswork is safety-critical and regulated, so certifying gasfitters are scarce and well paid. Stacked with a plumbing licence, it's a six-figure trade.