New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)

NMIT is part of Te Pūkenga

This means that you will now graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification. Read more
Locations and dates
No start dates are currently available. Register to be informed when new dates are added.
Length

40 weeks full-time: 35 teaching weeks plus 5 holiday weeks
Total credits

120
Fees

2023: $7,286 plus $240 Student Services Levy

A Compulsory Student Services Levy applies ($2 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.
National qualification code

NZ3097

It is a great time to join the automotive industry with the exciting developments in vehicles.

This programme is eligible for fees-free funding through either the Youth Guarantee, First Year Fees Free, or an internal NMIT scholarship. Our staff will automatically review each application to ensure the appropriate fees-free funding is applied, student levy will be included.

This programme aims to allow you to develop core automotive engineering skills in preparation for a career in the automotive industry.

This is a popular programme with limited places.

The automotive industry is rapidly changing. In the early 2000s, commercial vehicles had between one and four electronic modules. Today 20 to 50 modules are commonplace.

Today the automotive industry can provide a clean, technically challenging and constantly changing career. No two days can be the same, and the industry needs more capable automotive technicians.

If you like variation in your work, this is the career for you.

On this programme, you will learn in the workshop or a classroom three days a week, starting at 8 am, and two days a week, you will be in a work placement. You will need to find your own work placement.

Industry based learning

The automotive industry in Nelson and Marlborough continues to be strong, with industry predictions that it will remain so in the immediate future. This is supported by findings in the Tertiary Education Regional Statement, which reports widespread skill and labour shortages in the Nelson / Marlborough region. The report notes that while sufficient capacity exists to meet training needs, demand for qualified trades workers remains high because the industry is competing with off-shore opportunities, particularly in Australia, which offers higher salaries for graduates. This has created a constant demand for labour and skills training.

NMIT’s relationship with the Motor Trade Association (MTA), the Regional Motor Trade Cluster Group and the Automotive Advisory Group means we can closely monitor industry trends.

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 requirements

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.

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

Part-time apprentice training