New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)

About the programme

Are you a practical kind of person who enjoys making things work? Or perhaps you are seeking an engineering apprenticeship?

This is the programme for you, and is the perfect qualification for those wishing to enter the engineering trades.

Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools, and roles may include a Building Installation, CNC Machine Operator, Fitter/Turner, Fitter/Welder, Machine Operator, Maintenance Engineer, Metalworker/Fabricator, Mining, Specialist Production Welder or a Toolmaker. The industry has experienced significant growth over recent years due to developments in engineering processes.

There are numerous employment opportunities in areas such as toolmaking, fitting and machining, and trades associated with the heavy and light fabrication industries. With a responsible attitude, you may even step up into project management.

This hands-on, pre-apprenticeship programme will give you ample opportunity to work within our workshops and to gain valuable off-site work experience. 

Upon completion, you will have achieved the academic requirements of the first year of an industry apprenticeship. This may reduce the time for you to complete out in industry down to two years.

A rotary table in our workshop.
Photo courtesy of Mechanical Engineering student, Sophie Fox.

Entry

Skills needed for working in this area

• Practical thinking
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good computer skills
• Planning and organisational ability
• Excellent communication skills.

Entry requirements

• NCEA Level 1 with 10 credits in Numeracy (algebra, trigonometry, measurement recommended) and 10 credits in Literacy, OR
• Equivalent knowledge and skills, OR
• Successful completion of engineering literacy and numeracy assessment.
• In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under 20 who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure they have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement.
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email [email protected] or call 0800 762 786.