Courses & Qualifications
Learn by sharing, listening, watching, doing, and practicing.
GGINZ is the only training school in New Zealand just for glaziers and the glass and glazing trade, based in Plimmerton.
You're taught by trained, trade-active glaziers who are also qualified tutors and assessors – real glaziers who still work in the trade. Classes are deliberately small (6 to 10 people) so you get real teaching: we demonstrate, you practise, in a purpose-built glazing workshop designed for the trade by glaziers in the trade.
Three course options with GGINZ
1. NZ Certificate in Glazing (Level 4) — the full apprenticeship
2. Retrofit & Reglazing Course — 5 days
3. Balustrade Installation Course — 2 days
NZ Certificate in Glazing Level 4, with strands
New Zealand's nationally recognised glazing qualification, delivered as off-job training in partnership with BCITO. A mix of hands-on workshop projects and classroom theory, with every project tied to your qualification.
Across your three block courses you'll complete 46 practical projects in our purpose-built glazing training workshop, taught by trained, trade-active glaziers who are also qualified tutors and assessors.
Who it's for | Apprentices enrolled in the Level 4 through BCITO
Structure | Three 10-day block courses — about one a year
Practical projects | 46 hands-on projects across the three blocks, in a purpose-built glazing workshop
Taught by | Trained, trade-active glaziers who are qualified tutors and assessors
Format | Practical workshop projects + classroom theory
Class size | 6–10 people
Included free | WGANZ Glass Exam 4223.3 Certificate
How your years build
Year 1 — Foundations. Your first block course: a mix of practical projects and theory covering the core glazing skills.
Year 2 — Building capability. More challenging measuring, cutting, calculations and product knowledge, matched to the work you do on site.
Year 3 — Independent guidance, increased complexity. Complex glazing, large-format glass, advanced splashbacks and balustrades, security & fire rated systems, façade concepts, producer statement capabilities, project sequencing and installation planning.
Tip: photograph each project step-by-step against its unit standard — the “what” and the “how”. Share with your boss, workmates and BCITO Training Advisor. It all helps you qualify.
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Year 1
Glass cutting & processing · measuring & set-out · residential window glazing · safety glass handling · basic frameless · mirrors · splashbacks · pet doors · balustrade intro · shower screens · trade calcs
Year 2
Advanced measuring & templating for frameless · showers · balustrades · canopies · commercial glazing · splashbacks & structural concepts · product & hardware · harder templating · quality control & fault finding · site planning · basic JSA
Year 3
Complex simulations · large-format glass · advanced splashbacks & balustrades · security & fire rated systems · façade concepts · troubleshooting · Producer Statement capability · project sequencing · install planning & challenging JSA delivery
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NZS 4223 & WGANZ Glass Exam 4223.3 · product knowledge · compliance · H&S & hazard ID · reading plans & specs · estimating & calcs · quality assurance · customer communication · technical reporting · fault diagnosis · trade maths · project planning & advanced JSAs
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BCITO advises employers and apprentices of the booked dates for each off-job course. When you receive a date, lock it into your work schedule - courses fill up, and a withdrawal can mean a long wait to be rescheduled.
New to the apprenticeship? See the Employers page for how it works
Retrofit & Reglazing Course
5-Day Course
Practical training for everyday retrofit and reglaze work, 5 days.
Built for the work many businesses do every day: retrofit doors and windows, glass replacement, and reglazing.
Suited to new starters, staff doing replacement work, or businesses wanting a structured way in. You get faster development, fewer call-backs, better quality, and value on site from day one, taught by tutors who do this work in the field.
3 days practical — retrofit installs, glass replacement, reglazing, measuring & prep, safe removal, fault finding.
2 days technical — product knowledge, glass selection, compliance, site prep, QA, best practice.
You get: faster development, fewer call-backs, better quality, value on site from day one. Taught by tutors who do this work in the field.
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3 days practical training
Retrofit window installations · retrofit door installations · glass replacement · reglazing techniques · measuring & preparation · safe removal & installation · fault finding · working efficiently while keeping quality
2 days technical knowledge
Product knowledge · glass selection & application · compliance requirements · site preparation & planning · customer expectations · quality assurance · common retrofit challenges & solutions · industry best practice
Balustrade Installation
2-Day Course
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Who should attend
Glaziers & installers · apprentices building advanced skills · business owners & supervisors · estimators & pricing teams · project managers · contract administrators · compliance/procurement office staff
Day 1 — Building the foundations
H&S (glass handling, lifting, hardware, site risks) · compliance & Building Code · NZ Standards · Producer Statements · substrates & when engineering input is needed · measuring & templating with Proliner · industry round table
Day 2 — Practical install & commercial success
Systems (frameless, semi-frameless, stairways, ramps, pool fencing, retrofit) · glass & hardware selection · practical workshop with tutor coaching · installation planning · pricing & estimating · reading plans & system design · team project presentation
WGANZ and GGINZ, 2 days, designed by industry, for industry.
Practical training for anyone who supplies, prices, specifies, or installs glass balustrades, one of New Zealand's fastest-growing specialist glazing sectors.
Suited to glaziers, installers, apprentices, owners, estimators, project managers, and council staff, with class sizes of 6 to 12 participants. Complete the course and get listed on the WGANZ website as a trained balustrade installer.
Day 1 — Foundations: H&S · Building Code & NZ Standards · Producer Statements · substrates (timber, concrete, steel) · Proliner digital templating · industry round table. Compliance taught by a current glazing engineer.
Day 2 — Install & commercial: system & glass selection · hands-on deglaze/reglaze & hardware in small groups · install planning · pricing & estimating · reading plans · team project presentation. Led by a trade-current glazing tutor.
You'll leave able to: deliver compliant installs, price accurately, cut rework, read engineering and Producer Statements, and talk confidently with councils, engineers and clients.
Not sure which course fits?
Tell us about your team and the work you do - we'll point you to the right training pathway.