Micro-credential in Overhead Line Design
Programme overview
This course is designed to help line-mechanics and others become line designers through a mix of education, training, and employer and peer support. The only prerequisite is you must be working in a distribution company, or for a consultant or contractor to a distribution company and have the support of your employer/supervisor.
The Micro-credential in Overhead Line Design has been developed in partnership with the Overhead Line Design Forum and industry subject-matter experts. It provides participants with specialised training in line design, referencing key standards such as AS/NZS 7000:2016 and HB 331:2020, and incorporates practical tools and methods used across the electricity distribution sector.
This programme is continually updated to reflect evolving practice and is structured to support the skills development of both current and aspiring distribution line designers.
To complete the micro-credential candidates must complete OLD-010, OLD-080 and at least one of the technical modules (OLD-020 to OLD-060)
Programme structure
The micro-credential currently comprises six industry-developed modules. To achieve the credential, participants complete all modules, each designed to be delivered flexibly alongside full-time employment.
The modules include:
- OLD-010 Line Design Principles
- OLD-020 Conductor Solutions
- OLD-030 Insulator Solutions
- OLD-050 Cross-arm Solutions
- OLD-060 Stay Solutions
- OLD-080 Line Design Practice
You will gain working knowledge of:
- Mechanical and electrical design theory
- Designing for clearance, and for the environment
- The components and elements that make up a line system
- Component materials (historic, common, and emerging trends)
- Component-based design parameters and calculation methods
- Field-based challenges associated with construction and maintenance
You will also practice:
- Applying relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice to line design
- Producing deliverables required for communicating design intent
- Two-way involvement in peer review and Safety in
- Design reviews
- Translating designs into safe and functional solutions
Learning approach and time commitment
Each module is designed for approximately 20 hours of learning and is eligible for Engineering NZ CPD credits. The delivery format combines self-directed study, online workshops, and scenario-based assessments to ensure participants gain practical and applied understanding.
Who is eligible for this course?
This micro-credential is ideally suited for:
- Distribution line designers seeking formal recognition of skills and knowledge
- Engineers and paraprofessionals working in or moving into line design roles
- Industry practitioners requiring applied, standard-based training in overhead line design
Registration and pricing
All prices are exclusive of GST; cohort sizes are typically capped at 20 participants.
| Module | Member rate | Non-member rate |
| OLD-010 Line Design Principles | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
| OLD-020 Conductor Solutions | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
| OLD-030 Insulator Solutions | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
| OLD-050 Cross Arm Solutions | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
| OLD-060 Stay Solutions | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
| OLD-080 Line Design Practice | $1,800.00 + GST | $2,000.00 + GST |
OLD-010 Line Design Principles
Use engineering principles and methods to determine the safety and performance levels of overhead electricity distribution system components in New Zealand, under a given set of variables. This module provides foundational theory which is prerequisite to further study in overhead line design. The module consists of four sections, with assessment involving participants answering a series of knowledge-based questions (duration 50hrs).
OLD-020 Conductor Solutions
Design a conductor solution for an overhead distribution line, using a whole of life design approach, and in accordance with sound Safety in Design (SiD) principles (duration 30hrs).
OLD-030 Insulator Solutions
Design an insulator solution for an overhead distribution line, using a whole of life design approach, and in accordance with sound Safety in Design (SiD) principles (duration 30hrs).
OLD-050 Cross-arm Solutions
Design an cross-arm solution for an overhead distribution line, using a whole of life design approach, and in accordance with sound Safety in Design (SiD) principles (duration 20hrs).
OLD-060 Stay Solutions
Design a stay solution for an overhead distribution line, using a whole of life design approach, and in accordance with sound Safety in Design (SiD) principles (duration 30hrs).
OLD-080 Line Design Practice (portfolio-based assessment)
OLD-080 Line Design Practice is a capstone (final) assessment, involving the submission and assessment of a portfolio of your own work for those wishing to be awarded the EEA Micro-credential in Overhead Line Design. Participants most likely to benefit from this course will be overhead line design professionals wishing to increase the scope of their technical knowledge, or overhead line operators studying with a view to transition into overhead line design practice.
The design submitted will be required to meet a range of criteria to be provided in advance. Participants are then expected to prepare their own individual designs in their workplace and submit them for assessment. The module should take participants approximately 50 hours to complete, with participants required to achieve a grade of 75% to be endorsed with the Line Design Practice module.
Line Design Practice is open to anyone, but only those who have completed OLD-010 Line Design Principles and at least one of OLD-020 to OLD-060 and OLD-080 can be awarded the micro-credential.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 10 business days before the course commences, you will receive a full refund, minus a non-refundable $100 administration fee. If you have not paid for your course, you will receive an invoice for the $100 administration fee. If you cancel within 10 business days of the course starting date, you will be charged the full fee, even if you have not yet paid. A replacement attendee is an alternative option, but please let us know prior to the course start. Non-payment does not constitute a cancellation.