Taster Courses

If you are thinking about a career in this dynamic industry but don't quite know what to expect, ESITO runs Taster Courses around the country each year which could help you decide.

ESITO Taster courses are for people 16 years old and over. They provide a FREE two-week introduction to the electricity supply industry and offer the chance to gain skills, experience and knowledge of the industry.  

Designed by ESITO, the courses will introduce you to a number of work relevant areas and activities which could include:
  • Gaining knowledge of the NZ electricity supply industry
  • Practical job specific activities which could include electrical or mechanical workshop projects, making hand tools or extension leads, making a simple generator, digging trenches
  • Relevant unit standards introduced and assessed (US 18275 and US 5907)
  • Job relevant activities such as abseiling or working at heights
  • Industry site visits to a range of electricity supply industry companies.

This is a great way for you to learn about the industry and see whether it’s the one for you!


Taster Courses for 2010

Venue            

 Dates

Christchurch Taster Course at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
(CPIT)

 5-16 July

Hamilton Taster Course at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)

 5-16 July

Auckland Taster Course at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT)

 27 September- 8 October

Palmerston North Taster Course at Universal College of Learning (UCOL)

 27 September- 8 October

Kawerau Taster Course at Kawerau College
(in cooperation with Eastern Bay Energy Trust), residential course (Wintec)

 26 September- 8 October



In 2010 we will also be running three-day Taster Courses especially for Waikato Tainui students.

* Tainui Taster at Tuakau - 7-9 April
* Tainui Taster in Huntly - 13-15 April
* Tainui Taster in Morrinsville - July (dates TBC)
* Tainui Taster in Ngaruawahia - July (dates TBC)

Contact Gabrielle Riley on 0800 4 ESITO (437486) for more information.

All two-week courses incorporate two weeks of the school holidays.

Course Cost
Free

Equipment
All personal protection equipment is supplied and you get to keep the boots!

Application Criteria
To apply for a place on one of these courses you need to:

  • Be aged at least 16 years old at the start of the course
  • Have a good standard of written and oral English and a sound understanding of Mathematics (at least at NCEA Level 1 or equivalent)
  • It is desirable to have First Aid Unit Standards 6401 and 6402 before the course starts
  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • Have a strong work ethic (demonstrated either at school or in employment)
  • For Kawerau Taster only - students must be resident in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area.

2010 Taster Application Form
Download PDF

                           
Hamilton Taster students visit Contact Energy's
Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.

Students on the Palmerston North Taster Course
visit Meridian's Te Apiti wind farm.

   
Students show off their certificates at the final
day ceremony for the Auckland Taster Course.		 Auckland Taster students were shown around
Mighty River Power's Southdown Power Station.