Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago Polytechnic
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Certificate
Duration
1 year
Next start date
Expected Feb 2025
Campus
Otago Polytechnic
Summary
Are you a practical kind of person who enjoys making things work? Or perhaps you are seeking an engineering apprenticeship?
Either way, 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 CNC Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Specialist Production Welder, Metal Worker/Fabricator, Ducting Fabricator, Pipe Fitter/Welder, Metal Polisher or a Pattern Maker Trade Assistant. The industry has experienced significant growth over recent years due to developments in engineering processes.
Due to this, 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.
Further study options
This qualification can lead to, but is not a prerequisite for, the following qualifications (an apprenticeship within industry at Level 4 Mechanical Engineering):
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, Metal Forming, and Toolmaking
New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade) (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Steel Construction
Entry criteria
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
IELTS test: 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; TOEFL paper based test (PBT): Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE); TOEFL internet based test (IBT): Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14); Cambridge english examinations: B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill; Pearson test of english (ACADEMIC): PToE (Academic) score of 36; Language Certificate: B1 Achiever IESOL (LRW) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill.
Studying in NZ
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