"The instructors were awesome, the training facilities at Base Woodbourne were fantastic and the information we covered was just what we needed - it's very up-to-date."
"If people want to get into viticulture and achieve something, this course does set you up. It gives you an excellent background and the theoretical knowledge necessary."
"It doesn't take long to adjust if you're keen to get what you want and do the work, you'll get there. The tutors are excellent, I enjoyed it."
"It's very hard but a rewarding result at the end of it all."
"I was very happy with the education I got at NMIT and when I left, I certainly felt confident that I could go out into the industry and make a start.
"In my first eight months in the job, I've drawn on skills from all the areas we studied. It was great being able to go straight out into a job, working with very experienced people, and to understand the technology and issues they were talking about.
"The rapport you build with lecturers with the small class sizes makes a difference. And from what I've seen, the tutors are very high calibre. Nelson is such a nice place.
"Being able to study a degree in Nelson was pretty awesome - a degree that obviously stacks up against any others in the country."
"The tutors were just fantastic and it's a great environment to study. I've still got all my notes in the office and refer to them all the time."
"The course was good for learning all the general calculations and background knowledge. The tutors were really good and we covered all the theory."
"In Nelson there's a lot of work for engineers, there are always jobs going."
"It was great to be a name rather than a number in my classes, and I've met some brilliant people both at NMIT and now in my new job. I suppose you could say the diploma was the green light for a whole new life."
"Studying with kiwi students was a good opportunity to improve my language skills, it is different from studying at schools. Classmates were funny and friendly."
"This course has given me not only the chance to get the knowledge to work in the industry, but also the skills to enjoy outdoor activities, explore the country and more!"
"I loved it! I couldn't believe I was sitting there learning what I'd always wanted to learn in a world of people who thought like I did.
"The students in our class came from many varied backgrounds, from school leavers to mature students older than me.
"The staff were great, really approachable. I liked the size of the campus and the facilities of the Library Learning Centre were fabulous.
"Doing the degree expanded my thinking and my awareness of the world in general, and I value that immensely."
"I had a look at the other courses and came down and had a look around the base. I liked the fact it was a level 4 qualification and that there was plenty of hands-on experience. I also talked to employers who said they liked the NMIT graduates."
"It's all very well balanced and the theory was backed up by the practical. We get to use Air Force training aids and get to work on Devons and Strikemasters. There's also a Boeing 727."
"You learn all the 'do's and don'ts' and the why's. The tutors are all involved with industry and gave me contacts. I still go back sometimes to ask them things,"
"In this area especially in hospitality, there are so many tourists and people coming through. We've had heaps of chefs from around the world and they've all taught me different things. I haven't had to go anywhere."
"Although the course was only for a year, we also learnt a lot of second year theory as well, so I was confident I could enter the industry with a wide skill base.
"I have since recommended the NMIT course to many people. It gave me the skills and confidence I needed to follow my chosen career path. I feel very lucky to have trained there."
"I loved it. The staff here are so supportive, they regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to make your experience as positive as possible and they'll bend over backwards for you. They're just so awesome, I can't say it enough."
"I chose NMIT because I was impressed to find that they offered the Bachelor of Commerce degree programme which is usually only available at universities. This is a well recognised degree in a field where positions for graduates readily exist."
"I'd been interested in early childhood education but wasn't sure if I wanted to commit to a three year course only to find I didn't want to work with children. The one year Nanny course gave me the experience and qualification to look after children and gauge whether or not this was the path I wanted to take. I love it, I have complete freedom with the children and I'm treated like one of the family."
"The best thing about the courses is that they create new opportunities. Whenever I sat a ticket, it has opened a new door for me.
"If I had had teachers like Joost when I was at college, I would have stayed there much longer."
"Don't be fooled by thinking that being trained in New Zealand is a disadvantage. When I went to Europe I was in demand because unlike the specialised Europeans chefs, we have broad training across all areas and can turn our hand to everything - they loved kiwi chefs!"
"It's a great course, the tutors put a lot into it and I know I'm going to come out with the foundations I need to go out into industry.
"The facilities are some of the best in New Zealand. There are all these engines worth thousands of dollars. You're working on things that do fly or have flown.
"Living on base is good because you're close to your place of study and you're better off financially as well as time-wise. There are great facilities on base like squash courts and a swimming pool. Plus you've got helicopters flying over which motivates you!"
"The NMIT course broadened my experience by so much and the support and encouragement shown by my tutors and boss were just fantastic. They believed in me and now I want to go to the next level of Business Administration."
"The people here are very friendly, right from the reception staff to the tutors. Everyone is friendly and cooperative. The tutors encourage you to come forward and speak. It's a very friendly environment, you don't feel alone here."
"The tutors are really good, they come down to your level. They're just like one of the guys but you've still got respect for them."
"I could have done it in lots of places but Blenheim was great for lots of reasons - 60% of all New Zealand wines are made there, the classes at NMIT were small and supportive and they had great facilities for winemaking, and we were making our own. It was brilliant.
"The winemakers were great and we had lots of free tastings. The field trips and the social life were great - as an international student I felt completely welcomed."
"The course was personalised and practical. That's exactly what I was looking for. At Uni there are 100 - 150 people in a class, you sit at the back and no one knows who you are. I liked the fact the campus had a vineyard and good relationship with industry."