The Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE)

The Role

As a Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer in the Army, you will work on a huge variety of tasks and equipment from providing amenities in camps and bases to assisting in repairing damaged buildings. You will earn trade certified qualifications and be called upon everywhere the Army goes.

Post Recruit Training

• Basic Combat Engineer Course

This eight-week course is conducted at the School of Military Engineering, Linton Military Camp. You will be introduced to the combat side of being an engineer before undertaking your specific trade. The course covers the basics of field engineering including bridging, water supply, explosives, field defences, obstacles, booby traps, boating and other subjects. On completing the course, you will have a good understanding of field engineering and also be qualified as an Army Demolition Handler.

• The Apprenticeship

The plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship takes about three years to complete. During this period, you will attend five three-week courses at WelTech, staying at Trentham Military Camp while on each course. You will be taught a combination of theory and practical skills, and assessed on what you have learned as required by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. At the completion of your apprenticeship, you will have gained a National Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying. The next step is to sit the advanced Trade Certificate exams (known as Craftsman exams). Within five years, you could be a Craftsman Qualified Plumber and Gasfitter. You may also be able to attend advanced courses on water sanitisation and reticulation.

Postings/Where You Will Work

Initial posting

Your first posting will be to the School of Military Engineering, Linton Military Camp. You will join a motivated team under the Senior Plumbing Instructor and for the next two years you will be taught how to be a plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer.

In New Zealand

After two years, you will be posted to the plumbing section at 25 Engineer Support Squadron where you will be eligible for overseas trips. In time you will be eligible to be posted to Burnham or even back to the School of Military Engineering as one of the plumbing instructors.

Overseas

RNZE personnel can be found in small contingents around the globe. Places they have previously been deployed include Antarctica, Mozambique, USA, East Timor, Australia, South Pacific Islands, Bosnia and Iraq.

Getting Started

Army Apprenticeship

Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer

• Minimum age 17
• Year 11 completion
• School Qualifications: A proven ability in English and Maths at NCEA Level 1 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent.
• Driver's Licence: A Class 1 restricted driver's licence is recommended, but is not compulsory.

All Arms Recruit Course (AARC):

For the first 12 weeks you will attend recruit training in Waiouru where you will adapt from civilian to Army life and learn to be a soldier. Once this is completed, you will be ready to start learning your trade.

Things To Know About The Army Before You Join.

Have you got what it takes?

1. Be medically and physically fit.
   Before you undertake AARC (All Arms Recruit Course) it is essential that you are reasonably fit and free of injuries and medical problems. To give yourself a head start, you should aim to achieve the Army's minimum standard of fitness before you start AARC Training.
2. Be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
   To be enlisted into the New Zealand Army, applicants must either be New Zealand Citizens or hold a Permanent Residence Visa. Upon enlistment, non-citizens must sign an undertaking that they will apply for New Zealand Citizenship when eligible.
3. Be free from criminal convictions.
   The Army has a high dependence on trust and use of technical equipment and weapons, and looks for recruits who are trustworthy and reliable. For this reason, all applicants undergo a police records check, and any convictions are assessed on the severity of the offence.
4. Be 17 or older to join.
   Applicants must be 17 years of age or older to enlist into the New Zealand Army. You can however start your application prior to turning 17 years old.
5. Satisfy the Army's standards of dress and presentation.
   There are a few rules in regards to dress standards in the Army. For instance, there are provisions as to what jewellery you can and cannot wear and also how long/short your hair should be.
6. The Armed Forces expects a high standard of personal conduct and self-discipline.
   It may take a bit of getting used to at first, but once you settle into the routine of Army life, your confidence and self discipline will enable you to handle any situation.
7. A career in the Army is more than a job - it's a lifestyle.
   One of the key things about life in the Army is that your job will vary and you'll be doing many different things. While you are in an Army Camp, your job is pretty much like any other 9 to 5 job, but you'll also spend time training overseas or elsewhere in New Zealand.
8. The Army offers a competitive income.
   As you complete training courses and your time in the Army increases, your salary increases with it. The cost of living in an Army Camp is low, giving you more disposable income to spend as you wish. And with access to recreational facilities and benefits provided by the Army, your final overall salary package is very competitive. The Army also provides, amongst other things, free medical and dental services, a Government subsidised superannuation fund and accommodation subsidies.
9. Testing areas for specific trades.
   The Army's selection process includes a series of basic aptitude tests on subjects ranging from spelling and mathematics to test areas specific to your chosen trade. For details on the process, including practice tests, visit our Test Preparation section.

These are the basic elements involved in joining the Army. For a more detailed outline, check out our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section or the Joining Requirements section.

• You must do medical, fitness and aptitude tests to check that you are fit, healthy and suited to a career in the Army
• See your local recruiter or visit our website to obtain a copy of our fitness planner
• You will also be interviewed and have to attend Assessment Days, which include career counselling, physical activities and preparation training
• If you make the grade and are accepted into the Army, you will either go on to do 12 weeks basic training for full-time service, or attend a shorter course (three weeks) for Territorial Force service (part-time). This will prepare you for military life
• Once you have completed the basic training, you will go to a unit and join your Corps.