too right roberto...i have just sent off for my nzqa certificate at the huge cost of $14...so it makes one wonder why the nzqa can process my application and then print my diploma and then post it out to me for a measly 14 bucks yet these theives at the pgdb charge $750 to do the same process...i realise that the nzqa must be part govt funded AS SHOULD THE PGDB!...i cant understand in this world of userpays that the govt makes me pay for a system that is ONLY SET IN PLACE FOR THE PLUBLIC!...I get no use out of the board except a bill to pay other than that they are for me to use they are for the public to use and so the bloody plublic should fit there running costs...well thats what i reckon anyways.

And god knows how im going to find the $750 for first time rego

Well the decision re the levies, fees and CPD will have been made by now, and so we just sit and wait to see what the Board have decided.  Those that never bothered to put in a submission can't complain - ample opportunity was given.  No matter what your opinion was, it needs to be heard to be counted - and unfortunately many didn't bother to say anything.  Does this mean they are happy with the status quo?  Perhaps.  Does this mean they don't think their opinion counted?  Perhaps.  Does this mean they thought everyone else would do it for them?  Perhaps.  No matter which organisation you belong to (if any at all), I think we need to take our hat off to all those that have had an opinion, expressed it and educated others on what, why and how.  Every single person and organisation who bothered to put in a submission did so because they believed it was best for industry - we'll argue for years to come whether it was once the decision is made, but I think it is worth acknowledging that a lot of people from a lot of corners of this industry have spent a great deal of time thinking about these issues and coming up with what they consider is a good solution.  Now we just hope the people at the Board who govern us have given due thought and consideration to all the opinions and came up with one that meets the requirements of the Act and that we can all live with.

The industry here is in utter termoil, it's almost unbelieveable how screwed up things are in NZ with no sign of it coming to an end. The level of arrogance is mind blowing.

My solution........, bailout to Auzzie in Feb. PROBLEM SOLVED.  Take that PGDB, my former workmate is leaving early next year also.Just finished his apprenticeship and exams in three trades, has paid the ridiculous fee to gain registration for plumbing...cant be bothered with the other two as its too expensive to justify with the wages we earn. Same applies to myself in finishing my drainlaying app +exam. Theres barely any work in our town anyway.
"Were in a recession'' my former employer tells me ,yet we smash out 40hours minimum every week without fail...every single week.  No pay review which makes zero to date since starting with him even though i put in the extra effort to get myself a NZQA certificate in drainlaying and a pass in the drainlaying exam.Even then the money 'The Board' expects just to be added to the register is a joke.

 Dear Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlaying Board. You are strangling your own industry, wake up...

i thought they set the price for the whole year?

just another in a line of many things they think they can do without going through the appropriate channels thunder....