Made, Not Found: Electrical and Mechanical Apprentice Training at JLE

At JLE, we believe good tradespeople are made, not found. That’s why apprentice training sits at the centreof how we grow our business and our people, and why an apprenticeship with JLE is about much more than gaining a qualification.

We train electrical apprentices across our New Plymouth, Hawera, Auckland and Taupo branches, and mechanical apprentices at our Hawera branch, currently home to our mechanical facilities. Our goal is simple: recruit people with potential, train and support them well on the job, and keep them with us long after they qualify. It’s how we live one of our core values: “Growing our people to reach their highest potential.”

How an Apprenticeship at JLE Work

A JLE apprenticeship usually takes three to four years and around 6,000 hours of practical workplace training. Apprentices learn on real industrial projects alongside experienced tradespeople in our Electrical Services and Mechanical Services teams, while completing the theory side of their qualification through a training provider such as ETCO (electrical) or Competenz (mechanical).

Along the way, apprentices

• Complete theory assignments and study, with progress reviewed regularly by their training provider, supervisor and mentor.
• Attend practical block courses, generally once a year, where their hands-on skills are assessed to a set standard.
• Sit two written exams after finishing their Level 4 theory (electrical apprentices), which they must pass to become qualified.
• Have a formal performance review at least once a year to identify training needs and next steps.

It’s a demanding path. Study happens outside work hours, and apprentices are expected to keep on top of deadlines. But it’s also structured so that no one is doing it alone.

Apprentice Support On and Off the Tools

Every JLE apprentice is backed by a team, from their first day onsite to the day they qualify.

Mentors Who Want You to Succeed

Our Apprentice Mentors are experienced JLE staff who volunteer because they want to see trainees succeed. They’re the first point of contact for questions about theory or practical work. Supervisors and workmates are there too, and our advice to every new apprentice is the same: if you’re unsure, ask.

Safety Comes First

Electrical apprentices are supervised to the levels set by the Electrical Workers Registration Board. and a firm “no live work” policy applies to all trainees. Mechanical apprentices are supervised directly by qualified tradespeople, matched to their stage of training. All required PPE is supplied and checked regularly.

Help with the Costs of Getting Started

We also help with the practical costs of starting a trades career.

• A starter set of tools on day one, plus a tool allowance so apprentices can build their own kit over time
• Training organisation fees, exam fees  and industry contributions paid up front by JLE, so cost isn’t a barrier to signing up
• Reimbursement of the Electrical Training Licence fees

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Apprentice Training & Development Week (ATDW)

Once a year, our apprentices from all four branches come together for Apprentice Training & Development Week (ATDW). It’s a week of hands-on learning, guest speakers from industry and team challenges that build skills, confidence and friendships that can last a whole career.

Our inaugural ATDW 2026 brought 18 electrical and mechanical apprentices together in New Plymouth and Hawera in March. The connections built between apprentices carried on well after the week ended, and the event drew positive attention from clients, staff and the wider community. Industry partners have since approached us wanting to be part of the next one.

ATDW 2027 dates are locked in for early in the new year. We’re inviting a small number of partners to support the week with materials, meals or prizes. Keep an eye on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for updates as it gets closer.

Building Careers, Not Just Qualifications

Our aim is to become the electrical and mechanical industry’s employer of choice. That means more than getting apprentices through their papers. We focus on career pathways, regular progress reviews and keeping our people with us once they’re qualified, so the next generation of JLE tradespeople are trained by people who came through the same journey. Find out more about life at JLE on our Our People page.

Start Your Trades Career with JLE

Thinking about an electrical apprenticeship or a career as a mechanical tradesperson? Or know someone in the regions who’d be a great fit? Check our current job opportunities or contact the JLE team. We’d love to hear from you