Water Industry Professionals Association

WIPA

Water Industry Professionals Association

We are passionate about water industry professionals

Water Industry Professionals Association status update As members are aware, there are a number of initiatives underway relating to industry workforce development. These include, but not limited to, Water Services Act 2021 authorisation requirements, Waihanga Ara Rau’s Workforce Development Strategy, the various Water NZ Competency Frameworks, and the implementation of the Review of Vocational Education (ROVE). The water industry’s workforce is also likely to be further shaped by the 3 Water Reforms due to be implemented over the next 2 - 3 years. Consequently, the Water Industry Professionals Association’s (WIPA) management committee has agreed for the WIPA to undertake a brief pause while the Industry as a whole goes through this period of change. During this period, training opportunities and courses will still be posted on the WIPA website and current WIPA members will still have their CPD credits acknowledged. WIPA applications already submitted will continue to be processed. However, in the short term, the WIPA will not be accepting new applications. We expect that once we have a direction of where Industry workforce is heading, that an appropriately modified WIPA will be stood up again to take on the challenge of acknowledging the skills, qualifications and experience of the people that work in the water industry. In the meantime, we still encourage WIPA members to carry on actively undertaking professional development opportunities and continue to seek acknowledgement of those opportunities through the gaining of CPD credits Craig Freeman (Acting WIPA Chair), Nick Hewer–Hewitt (WIOG Chairman) Gillian Blythe (Water NZ CEO)

The Water Industry Professional Association (WIPA) provides a continuing professional development and registration programme for water industry professionals. The vision and mission of WIPA is to have a competent and capable water industry workforce supported by a comprehensive continuing professional development and registration programme for water industry professionals who meet specified criteria so they can demonstrate a high level of competence.

It's about ensuring a high level of competency within the industry is maintained.

More information on WIPA can be found on the WIPA website.

Programme Costs

There is a one-off fee for approved applicants to enrol into the WIPA programme. Once you have enrolled you will be required to pay an annual administration fee to ensure your enrolment stays current.

Enrolment fee: $150 + GST

Annual Administration fee: $100 + GST

Course attendance incurs a separate fee at the applicants own/employers' cost. More information on course fees can be found here.

You will need to click into the specific course for further information about the specific course.

Gaining CPD Credits

Water industry employees who are enrolled in the WIPA CPD programme can earn CPD credits by attending training courses that are listed on the WIPA website, and below. To become a Registered Water Industry Professional, applicants must gain 30 WIPA CPD credits within a two-year period. You can gain these credits through:

• approved WIPA courses
• presenting a paper at a conference (3 credits for a 30-minute presentation)

Check the website regularly for courses included in the WIPA Programme. 

WIPA Courses

Click the buttons below to view the available WIPA CPD courses.

Drinking Water Courses	Wastewater Courses
Stormwater Courses	Additional Skills Courses

Course providers - if you have a course you would like to include on WIPA, please email info@wipa.co.nz with course information.

The WIPA is a joint venture between the Water Industry Operations Group and Water New Zealand

If you have any questions, please contact us on info@wipa.co.nz