New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering

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Locations and dates

Marlborough:

1 October 2026

20 January 2027

1 April 2027

1 July 2027

1 October 2027

Nelson:

1 August 2026

1 October 2026

20 January 2027

1 April 2027

1 July 2027

1 October 2027
Length

Apprenticeship programme, varying lengths
Total credits

240
Fees

2026: $210-$419 per course

A Student Service Fee applies (2026; $2.50 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

NZ3118

Are you already servicing and repairing heavy road transport vehicles or plant and equipment?

Then it's time to take the next step with this managed apprenticeship programme to increase your skills and knowledge and gain an automotive qualification to back you up.

On successful completion of this programme you will benefit by having an automotive qualification that recognises progression through the industry, as well as increased skills and knowledge to help you increase your job performance. You will be capable of working in a self‐managed capacity and may have some responsibility for the work of others.

You can take this programme after completing the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3). You can also do it if you have attained equivalent Level 3 skills and experience gained from working within industry, and wish to study towards a formal qualification.

You will need to be in a permanent employment agreement as part of your study in the programme.

This allows you to integrate practical on-site learning with tutorial learning at NMIT. This apprenticeship is a partnership between you, your employer, and NMIT.

All ākonga will learn:

Effective workplace maintenance and safety
Diesel engine diagnostics, servicing and repair
Diesel fuel injection systems
Intake, exhaust and turbocharging systems
Diesel emission control systems
Cooling systems
Safe and effective heavy vehicle diagnostic and repair practices

In addition to the core courses, you'll also build specialist knowledge and practical skills in your chosen strand.

Road Transport Strand

You will learn:

Certificate of Fitness (CoF) inspections and vehicle recovery
Repair of trucks, buses, heavy trailers and combination units
Clutches, transmissions, drivelines and final drive systems
Suspension, chassis and towing systems
Steering, wheels, tyres and hydraulic systems
Starting, charging and lighting systems
Foundation, pneumatic, electronic brake and stability control systems
Cab safety, driver controls and body control systems
Telematics and high-voltage vehicle systems

Plant and Equipment Strand

Agricultural Equipment Strand

You will learn:

Repair of tractors, harvesting and cultivation equipment
Clutches, transmissions and driveline systems
Hydraulic systems
Suspension, chassis, steering and braking systems
Starting, charging and lighting systems
Attached equipment and auxiliary systems
Cab controls, electronic safety and machine control systems
Agricultural telematics and autonomous machine technology
Safety inspections and equipment recovery

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Level 3 qualification in Automotive Engineering (e.g. New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering), or evidence of equivalent skills and knowledge.

Other requirements

A Managed Apprentice must be employed in a heavy automotive engineering workshop.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, evidence of language competency may be required.
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. The level of competency required is:
• IELTS general or academic score of 5.5 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
• Meet a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.(external link)

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