Table of Contents
Introduction: What’s going on?
I’m an employer of staff with TTM Qualifications – what do I do?
A checklist for employers to get started
I’m someone with a TTM Qualification – what do I do?
I’m expiring soon, what do I do?
I’ve had an NZTA qualification for a while but don’t have any of the unit standards, what do I do?
Introduction: What’s going on?
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) announced on 5th September 2024 to trainers and assessors, and on 12th September 2024 to the wider industry, that many of its CoPTTM warrants will be discontinued as of 1 November 2024. You can view the official notice from NZTA here.
Despite the discontinuation of these warrants, existing unit standards will remain available and continue to provide one way to evidence TTM capability. However, unit standards need to be part of a broader training and competency approach for employers, rather than the sole method of validation.
Unit standards have been in place for some time and are offered through Connexis, with existing Connexis assessors delivering both theory and practical unit standards depending on their scope. Parallaxx will continue to offer services, including the delivery of all existing unit standards and training services, and can help you integrate these into your broader training plans and roadmaps for staff.
From 1 November 2024, if you need a:
- TMO (Non-Practising or Practising),
- STMS Universal,
- STMS Non-Practising, or
- STMS Practising
qualification, you will still be able to obtain these through the same system. However, you will now receive only a unit standard, rather than both a unit standard and an NZTA warrant.
I’m an employer of staff with TTM Qualifications – what do I do?
As an employer, the responsibility to ensure your staff are adequately trained and competent in their roles remains unchanged despite the discontinuation of the NZTA warrant system.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), you must provide sufficient training, instruction, and supervision to ensure your workers can perform their tasks safely.
This shift, effective from 1 November 2024, means you’ll need to adjust how you manage qualifications and competency across your workforce. While NZTA warrants will no longer be issued, existing unit standards remain available and serve as evidence of capability.
Simply holding a unit standard is not enough on its own; it should form part of a broader competency system specific to you.
Key Considerations for Employers:
1. Understand the Discontinuation of NZTA Warrants
The major change here is that the NZTA will stop issuing most TTM-related warrants, such as TMO (Non-Practising and Practising) and STMS (Universal, Non-Practising and Practising (all categories)) after 1 November 2024.
Unit standards that were already part of the training framework will continue to be a form of recognised certification. However, the way these unit standards fit into your organisation’s overall competency framework is critical.
Warrants were just one mechanism to demonstrate competency, and the absence of them means you’ll need to make sure you have a robust system for managing staff capability.
2. Unit Standards provide credible evidence but Aren’t the Whole Picture
Unit standards will remain available through Parallaxx via our Connexis-registered assessors.
These standards offer credible evidence of specific competencies, but they alone do not guarantee that a worker is competent in every aspect of their role. For example, the STMS unit standard doesn’t distinguish between the different road environments (Category A, B, or C) in which it was achieved (like the warrant system does).
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to track and validate which environments your staff have been assessed in and are competent to work within. Talk to Parallaxx to help with how you can do that.
Key Takeaway: Unit standards provide one form of evidence of competency, but it’s essential to integrate them into a wider competency management system that reflects your organisation’s unique needs.
3. Tracking Competency in Specific Environments
When it comes to qualifications such as STMS Non-Practicing and Practicing, the unit standard does not differentiate the environment (Category A, B, or C) in which the training or assessment took place.
The responsibility for managing this falls to you, the employer. You need to ensure your workers are certified with a unit standard and competent in the specific environments they are working in.
This means maintaining records of who has been assessed in what environment and validating that these competencies are current and appropriate for the tasks they are undertaking. Parallaxx can help with a system for this to obtain appropriate Unit Standards and generate evidence across different road environments.
Key Takeaway: It’s not just about having the qualification—it’s about ensuring the worker is competent for the specific environment and tasks at hand. Employers need to track and manage this actively.
4. Refreshing Qualifications and Competency
NZTA’s system previously included a 3-yearly refresher cycle to keep qualifications current. After 1 November 2024, this cycle will no longer apply in the same way, but that doesn’t mean your responsibility to ensure ongoing competency is diminished.
Under the HSWA 2015, you still need to verify that your staff remain competent over time. This could be achieved through periodic internal assessments, on-the-job evaluations, or other forms of evidence gathering, such as logbooks or site-based observations.
Parallaxx will offer ongoing ‘refresher-like’ training to help keep your people’s knowledge current, but the timeline and method for maintaining competency are now more flexible and should be tailored to your organisation’s (and staff’s) needs.
Key Takeaway: The need to maintain current competency isn’t disappearing but is no longer tied to the NZTA warrant system. You will need to develop your refresher system based on the roles and tasks within your organisation.
5. Building a Competency Framework
With the disappearance of NZTA warrants, it’s critical to have a formalised competency framework that goes beyond just holding unit standards.
You will need to map out the specific competencies required for each role within your organisation and determine how you will assess and maintain those competencies over time.
A competency matrix can be an effective tool for identifying the skills and qualifications each worker needs for their role and tracking their ongoing development and assessment.
Key Takeaway: Developing a structured competency framework will be key to ensuring your workforce is properly trained and qualified. Unit standards are one part of this, but they need to be supported by other forms of training, instruction, and supervision.
6. Using Evidence-Based Approaches
The competency framework you build should be evidence-based. This means you need to gather and maintain evidence of each employee’s training, assessments, and on-the-job performance. This evidence can come in many forms, including internal training records, logbooks, practical assessments, and external courses.
As the employer, you are responsible for ensuring that these records are up to date and can be provided for audits, RCA requests, or client contracts if needed.
Key Takeaway: Evidence is crucial. Ensure that your competency framework includes mechanisms to gather and store credible evidence of competency across your workforce.
7. Tailoring Training Plans
As you develop your competency framework, consider tailoring training plans to suit the specific roles and environments in your organisation. Training doesn’t stop with earning a unit standard—it needs to be ongoing and reflective of the real tasks and risks your workers face in the field. This might include specialised internal training, mentoring, and on-the-job evaluations, alongside formal courses and assessments provided by Parallaxx or other external providers.
Key Takeaway: Training is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Your training plans should be tailored to the specific needs of your workforce and the tasks they perform.
8. What about costs?
After November 1st 2024, there will be no costs from NZTA (previously $45 registration costs), however there will be costs to register unit standards.
These costs are charged by Connexis, to report the credits. These were previously covered through an agreement with NZTA but will now incur fees.
Costs are calculated based on the number of credits of the unit standards, and are as follows:
- US 31958 (TTM Worker) 5 credits – $35.75+GST
- US 31959 (TMO-NP) 5 credits – $35.75+GST
- US 31960 (TMO) 10 credits – $71.50+GST
- US 31961 (STMS U) 5 credits – $35.75+GST
- US 31962 (STMS-NP) 5 credits – $35.75+GST
- US 31963 (STMS) 20 credits – $143+GST
Key Takeaway: The cost of registering unit standards will now be charged by Connexis, but there are no ‘card costs’ [registration fees] from NZTA.
A checklist for employers to get started
| Employer Checklist | Actions |
| Develop a Competency Matrix | – Identify the specific competencies required for each role in your organisation. – Map these competencies to unit standards, skills, and training requirements. |
| Determine How to Evaluate Competency | – Decide on methods to assess and validate competencies (e.g., unit standards, on-the-job training, internal assessments). – Work with Parallaxx to align training and assessments. |
| Conduct a Gap Analysis for Staff | – Compare current staff qualifications against the competency matrix. – Identify gaps in qualifications, training, or assessment, and create a list of actions to address these gaps. |
| Plan for Staff Approaching NZTA Refreshers | – Decide if you will renew staff NZTA warrants before 1 November 2024. – For those expiring soon, consider transitioning to unit standards and Parallaxx refreshers. |
| Develop a Plan for Evidence Collection | – Establish how you will gather and maintain evidence of competency (e.g., logbooks, job performance records, periodic assessments). |
| Set Up Record-Keeping and Reporting Systems | – Create a system for storing and retrieving competency records for audits, client contracts, or RCA requests. |
| Prepare for Client and RCA conversations | – Identify key clients and RCAs who require competency evidence. – Reach out to clarify their expectations regarding qualifications and evidence. – Gather documentation of your competency system (e.g., competency matrix, training plans, evidence of assessments) to demonstrate capability. – Be ready to explain how your organisation evidences ongoing competency without NZTA warrants. – Offer to share your competency framework and evidence processes to assure clients and RCAs that your staff meet all requirements. |
| Develop a Communications Strategy for Staff | – Create clear internal communication materials (emails, presentations, etc.) to explain the discontinuation of NZTA warrants and what it means for staff. – Provide details on the new competency framework and how staff will be evaluated and supported. |
I’m someone with a TTM Qualification – what do I do?
If you hold a TTM qualification, the discontinuation of NZTA warrants means you’ll need to be aware of how to evidence your competency going forward.
Many unit standards already exist and will continue to provide some evidence of competency. Below is a detailed explanation of the changes for each type of qualification and what action you may need to take.
| TTM Qualification | What’s Changing? |
| TTM Worker |
No change. This qualification is already tied to a unit standard and has no direct relationship with the NZTA warrant system. No changes to the process or requirements for obtaining this qualification. |
| TMO Non-Practising (NP) |
No warrant after 1 Nov 2024. The corresponding unit standard will continue to be offered with no changes. The process for achieving this qualification (1-day theory course and assessment) remains the same, and Parallaxx will continue to offer this as normal. Action: If you’ve completed TMO NP training with us but didn’t request the unit standard, reach out to us to arrange it. |
| TMO Practising (P) |
No warrant after 1 Nov 2024. The corresponding unit standard will continue to be offered with no changes. Parallaxx will continue to offer this Unit Standard, and the process for achievement remains the same. Action: If you completed TMO P qualification with us but didn’t request the unit standard, contact us to arrange this. |
| STMS Universal (U) |
No warrant after 1 Nov 2024. The corresponding unit standard remains unchanged, and the process for achievement (2-day theory course and assessment) is the same. Action: If you completed STMS U training with us and did not request the unit standard, contact us to ensure it’s registered. |
| STMS Non-Practising (NP) – Category A, B, or C |
No warrant after 1 Nov 2024. The corresponding unit standard (31962) remains available. This unit standard is the same across Categories A, B, and C, so it’s up to your employer to track which specific environment you were trained in. Parallaxx will continue offering courses specific to each category. If you did this qualification with us and didn’t request unit standard 31962, reach out to us. |
| STMS Practising (P) – Category A, B, or C |
No warrant after 1 Nov 2024. The corresponding unit standard (31963) remains available. To earn this, you will need to complete three closure assessments, two observed by a verifier and one by an assessor. Action: If you completed STMS P assessments with us but didn’t request unit standard 31963, contact us. |
| STMS Mobile (NP and P) |
No change. This qualification will continue to be tied to a warrant as no corresponding unit standard exists. However, the prerequisite is either the STMS U warrant or unit standard 31961. |
| Inspector |
No change. This qualification will continue to be tied to an NZTA warrant as no unit standard exists. The process for achieving this qualification remains unchanged. |
I’m expiring soon, what do I do?
If your current TTM qualification (e.g., TMO NP, TMO P, STMS NP, or STMS P) is expiring soon, you have some decisions to make:
Renew before 1 November 2024: You can choose to renew your qualification under the current warrant system. However, our advice is to aim for obtaining the relevant unit standard(s) at the same time.
Transition to Unit Standards: You can switch to a unit standard by undergoing some training and/or assessments, which can result in the achievement of the appropriate unit standard, not a warrant.
Check with your employer, and your clients as to what system they may use or expect.
Parallaxx will offer courses and assessments to support whichever option you select.
Key Advice: If your qualification is expiring, you should seek to obtain unit standards rather than just renewing your warrant. Contact Parallaxx for guidance.
I’ve had an NZTA qualification for a while but don’t have any of the unit standards, what do I do?
If you’ve held a TTM qualification for a long time but never obtained the corresponding unit standards, it’s important to take action now. Here’s what you can do:
STMS Non-Practising (NP): If you have an STMS NP (current or expired within the last year), you can undertake the unit standard 31962 assessment. Parallaxx will offer this assessment as a stand-alone activity for individuals with STMS warrants.
STMS Practising (P): To obtain unit standard 31963, you will need to complete three closure assessments. If you’ve completed these assessments in the past but didn’t request the unit standard, contact us to discuss options for obtaining it now. If you have undertaken a ‘refresher’ assessment on multiple categories you may be able to use this evidence for unit standard 31963 – speak to us about an assessment plan that meets your circumstances.
Refresher-like Courses: Parallaxx will offer refresher-like courses that allow you to update your knowledge and gain the unit standard for the qualification (e.g., 31962 for STMS NP). These will include an introduction to the risk-based approach to TTM, which is an important new aspect of TTM in NZ.
Refresher and Unit Standards Transition
If you’ve been an STMS for a long time but never obtained the unit standards, here’s what you can do:
STMS Non-Practising (NP): If you hold a current or recently expired STMS NP warrant (within one year), you can attend Parallaxx’s refresher-like workshops to obtain unit standard 31962. This will also cover the risk-based approach to TTM, a critical aspect for the future.
STMS Practising (P): You can refresh your practical STMS skills through on-road assessments in Categories A, B, or C. To obtain unit standard 31963, you will need to:
- First obtain unit standard 31962 (STMS NP).
- Complete the TMO Practising unit standard (which covers some tasks not present in the STMS unit standard).
- Undertake two on-job verification activities and one final assessment by an assessor to obtain unit standard 31963.
Assessment Efficiency: You can use closures from different road categories to gather evidence for both the TMO Practising unit standard and STMS Practising unit standard. Parallaxx will work with you to develop an efficient assessment plan tailored to your needs.
Key Advice: The NZTA warrant system remains live until 31 October 2024, so you can still refresh under the warrant system if needed. However, our advice is to aim for unit standards to provide long-serving credible evidence of capability. All Parallaxx refreshers going forward will offer unit standards wherever possible.
A checklist for individuals to get started
| Individual Checklist | Actions |
| Talk to Your Employer | – Discuss with your employer how they plan to evidence competency going forward without NZTA warrants. – Ensure you understand their competency management and evidence system. |
| Check Your NZQA Record | – Obtain your NZQA National Student Number (NSN). – Check what unit standards you already have on your NZQA record of achievement (if any). |
| Plan Your Refresher Strategy | – Map out the qualifications and unit standards you need for your role. – Plan to gather as many unit standards as possible through normal workplace activity. |
| Incorporate Unit Standards Into Your Refresher | – If your refresher is due soon, ensure you include unit standards in your refresher plan. – Parallaxx will incorporate unit standards into all refresher courses going forward (where possible). |
| Understand STMS Unit Standards for NP and P | – Remember that STMS NP and P unit standards don’t differentiate between Category A, B, or C environments. – Work with your employer to track and maintain environment-specific competency evidence. |
How Can Parallaxx Help?
- Provide All Existing Unit Standards
We offer training and assessments for all available unit standards, including TMO, STMS, and other TTM roles. - Assist with Competency Frameworks
We can help you develop and implement competency frameworks tailored to your organisation’s specific needs. - Deliver Refresher Courses
Our refresher courses will continue to offer the latest knowledge and include unit standards where applicable. - Offer Practical On-Job Assessments
We provide on-road assessments for TMO and STMS Practising qualifications, helping you earn unit standards through workplace activities. - Help Transition from NZTA Warrants to Unit Standards
If you have existing qualifications but no unit standards, we can assist in converting your qualifications into recognised unit standards. - Provide Evidence of Training and Competency
We support employers in maintaining records of competencies, assessments, and training through our documented processes. - Customise Training Plans
We can tailor training and assessment programmes to fit your workforce and the road environments you operate in. - Support Risk-Based Approach Transition
Our training includes the latest developments, such as the risk-based approach to TTM, ensuring your staff are prepared for future requirements.
