Building a career

When we refer to trade, we mean an individual's specific role or line of work. Defence Force personnel are employed in an array of positions typically associated with the equivalent civilian trades; including construction, engineering and hospitality' as well as broader areas such as combat, medical support, vehicle operations and communications.

New members of our Defence Force usually choose a particular trade prior to starting a career in the Defence Force, and training for that trade will require professional development. Trade training is usually done within our Defence Force, but it may also involve study outside of the military. NZDF trades and careers utilise a wide variety of tertiary education paths spanning across university, technology and trade training.

When our people up-skill within their trade, they are provided a high standard of education. Today, much of the trade training in the military has achieved parity with civilian qualifications, meaning that the training our people complete will earn them the equivalent qualification for civilian life. In some instances, such as the chef trade, the qualification undertaken as part of trade training is the civilian industry qualification.

All full time personnel can further upskill using the Voluntary Education Study Assistance programme, which provides financial assistance to undertake part-time study towards a Level 4 or higher qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.