New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice with strands in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the engineering industry with people that are able to consistently apply understanding and skills to the standard expected of a practicing engineering technician in either the civil, electrical or mechanical practice areas. It is aligned with the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand competence standard for engineering technicians seeking recognition in the class of Associate Member (AIPENZ) and/or registration as a Certified Engineering Technician (CertETn).

The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice is intended to supplement and integrate the academic learning achieved through completion of a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) with practical knowledge and experience, and hence develop further competence in engineering through on-job experience.

The practice area for the candidate may include but is not limited to engineering consultancy, maintenance or asset management, design, manufacturing, installation, production engineering, technical sales and customer service, draughting services, construction or contracting.

The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) and the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice (NZDEP) are national qualifications that have been developed with industry to meet industry needs. They respond to industry's call for technician level qualifications that recognise practical skills by combining quality academic study to national standards with a rigorous and structured assessment of practical skills. The two qualifications provide a structured pathway to a rewarding career as an engineering technician in the manufacturing or infrastructure sector. There is currently a high demand for engineers in New Zealand with NZDE and NZDEP qualifications. This demand is expected to last for the foreseeable future. These technician level qualifications are seen as central to New Zealand's future.