New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Certificate

Duration

5 weeks

Next start date

Expected Feb 2027

Campus

Marlborough Campus

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Summary

It’s a great time to join the automotive industry, with rapid advances in vehicle technology creating exciting new career opportunities.

This practical programme helps you build core automotive engineering skills and prepares you for entry into the automotive industry or progression into an apprenticeship.

You’ll gain hands-on experience working with modern vehicles, tools, and diagnostic equipment, supported by industry-experienced tutors who understand the needs of today’s workshops. With limited places available, this popular programme offers focused learning in a supportive, trade-style environment. Part-time study is available to apprentices only.

The automotive industry is constantly evolving. Where vehicles once relied on just a few electronic modules, modern cars now use dozens of interconnected systems. This shift has transformed automotive engineering into a clean, highly technical, and problem-solving-focused career - no two days are the same.

If you enjoy variety, practical work, and working with evolving technology, automotive engineering could be the right fit for you.

Learning structure

You’ll typically spend three days a week learning in NMIT workshops and classrooms, starting at 8 am. To support your learning, you are encouraged to spend up to two days a week in a work placement where possible. While a work placement is strongly recommended to gain real-world experience, it is not required to complete the programme.

Industry based learning

The automotive industry in Nelson and Marlborough remains strong, with demand for skilled tradespeople expected to remain high. Regional workforce data highlights ongoing skill shortages, particularly as qualified automotive technicians are drawn overseas by higher wages, especially in Australia.

NMIT works closely with industry through partnerships with the Motor Trade Association (MTA), the Regional Motor Trade Cluster Group, and the Automotive Advisory Group. These relationships ensure our programmes stay aligned with current industry practices, technologies, and workforce needs.

Career opportunities & pathways

After successful completion of the course, you can pathway into an apprenticeship in the following specialist fields:

Automotive Engineering
Automotive Heavy Engineering
Road Transport – agricultural plant and equipment
Automotive Electrical Engineering
Automotive Machining
Motorcycle Engineering
Outdoor Power Equipment Servicing
Power Boat Servicing
Brake Service Engineering
Automotive Air Conditioning

Graduates of the programme who chose not to enter into apprenticeship agreements are skilled enough to enter the workforce as trainee automotive engineering employees.

Entry criteria

Academic requirements

10 credits in each of literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy at NCEA Level 1

Be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills.

If you are aged 20 years or above and do not meet the academic entry requirements you may be granted entry where you can supply evidence to satisfy the relevant Academic Committee of your ability to succeed on the programme.

English language requirements

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 for a Level 3 certificate is:

IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed NZ Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic; or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18. Refer NZQA - Internationally Recognised English Proficiency Outcomes for International Students.

For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language evidence of language competency may be required.

Other requirements - Woodbourne Campus

To be eligible to be considered for this course, students must:

Complete the New Zealand Police Vetting System documentation, or in some cases, the country of origin Police Vetting documentation
Attend an interview (in-person or virtual)
Complete a numeracy, literacy and mechanical reasoning aptitude test

Domestic applicants must:

Be at least 17.5 years of age

International applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have resided in New Zealand for a minimum of six consecutive months to enable access to Woodbourne campus as mandated by New Zealand Defence Force

The Programme is carried out at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. RNZAF regulations require that New Zealand Police must clear all applicants. For more information on the police vetting process, please refer to: www.police.govt.nz/service/vetting/index.html

To ensure security is maintained at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, applicants may be required to go through further police security checks, such as drug testing and referee reports.

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