New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 3 |
|---|
About the course
Jump-start your career in Mechanical Engineering. The subjects studied in this one year programme are equivalent to the first year of your apprenticeship.
This hands-on, one-year programme will give you a strong head start in the industry. You'll gain essential skills, making you a valuable candidate for an engineering apprenticeship.
This programme is equivalent to the first year of an apprenticeship and is a recognised entry for apprenticeships in the mechanical engineering trades. You will gain general knowledge of engineering tools, machinery and equipment, and worksite processes and principles. You will also gain skills and expertise in health and safety, numeracy, communication and teamwork.
Your learning will take place in the on-campus workshop, the classroom, and as work experience. You may even get out and about on field trips, gaining valuable industry insight and skills.
To complement your learning on campus, work experience with an employer in the engineering industry is recommended. Tutors can support your search for suitable work opportunities.
Marlborough Study Grant
In 2026, students in the Certificate in Mechanical Engineering at Woodbourne are eligible for the Marlborough Study Grant. This grant waives tuition fees and supports the region’s need for skilled tradespeople, showing NMIT’s commitment to accessible vocational training.
While this grant targets regional growth in the Top of the South, all NMIT learners, including those in Nelson, can access a range of scholarships each year supporting various study areas, including mechanical engineering.
Explore these scholarship opportunities here.
Career opportunities
- Mechanical Fitter
- Metalworker/Fabricator
- Welder
- Maintenance Engineer
- Toolmaker
- Machinist
- General Engineer
- Engineering Trades Assistant
Entry requirements
Academic Entry
- NCEA Level 1 with 10 credits in Numeracy (algebra, trigonometry, measurement recommended) and 10 credits in Literacy, OR -
- Be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
English language requirement
- International applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to show evidence of language competency, issued within the last two years, before being eligible to enrol in any non-English programme. The level of competency required is outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013 and below under the title English Competency.
- IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed NZ Certificate in English Language L3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013.
For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language evidence of language competency may be required.
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.