New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING (TRADE) NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATE IN LIGHT AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

CREDITS 200 (1.67 EFTS) CAMPUS Mt Albert

Career opportunities

• Light automotive engineer

Highlights

• Learn and work in Mataaho, our purpose-built trades facility.

This includes multiple workshop spaces, as well as the Giltrap Volkswagen sponsored lab with top of the line emulation and simulation technologies. • Improved job prospects: this programme is nationally developed and recognised. • We assist you with employment relationships: we work with your employer to recognise the work you do on-site that contributes to your qualification. • Support and mentoring for students and employers throughout your study START DATES Applications accepted and programme starts throughout the year DURATION Part-time/apprenticeship for 3-5 years ANNUAL FEES $11 per credit

(Approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy)

This programme is your launchpad into a career as a light automotive engineer. You’ll become skilled and knowledgeable in the fast developing and growing automotive industry where there is high demand for skilled automotive engineers.

Programme overview

If you're working in the industry or you're ready to enter a work arrangement with an employer, this programme will further your understanding of light automotive engineering. You'll learn how to safely and effectively diagnose and repair mechanical and electronic faults in a range of vehicles.

You'll learn to:

• Monitor the workplace and respond to issues as required to maintain a safe and effective workplace. • Apply the appropriate precautionary measures when servicing and repairing high risk light automotive systems. • Diagnose and repair common faults in light vehicle engines and driveline systems, electrical and electronic systems and steering, suspension, and braking systems.

As a qualified Light Automotive Engineer, you can apply to be assessed for a Warrant of Fitness License via the Vehicle Inspectors Preparatory Course – you can find out more about this short course on our website.

It’s highly recommended students in this programme are currently employed in the associated industry.

Admission requirements

For this programme, you’ll need:

Academic

1. The New Zealand Certificate in

Automotive Engineering (Level 3) or demonstrate equivalent skills and experience.

English

If English is not your first language, you’ll need one or more of the following:

• Achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand

University Entrance • Provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency such as

IELTS • Achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you could apply for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/automotive

Fixing cars is more than just a job

Nate Perry is a trainee mechanic living his passion. It is this passion that has seen him set up his own automotive workshop, with a group of friends, while finishing off his automotive degree at Unitec.

“I decided from an early age to get into something I was passionate about which is the automotive industry so that’s how I ended up at Unitec.”

“I left school when I was young, school just wasn’t my thing. Also, I was living with my mum who was a solo parent, so I made the decision to work to help her with the bills. I was working in warehousing and distribution, but realised I wanted a different career, so I looked into study options - Unitec was the obvious choice for me.”

Nate completed the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering and is in his second year of a three-year degree, Bachelor of Applied Technology – Automotive Engineering. Nate says the staff at Unitec have all been hugely helpful. “It is super supportive. They have always told me there is no such thing as a dumb question. Some people judge you if you do ask a dumb question but that doesn’t happen here.”

At Unitec, Nate has also embraced his Māori culture.

“Being Māori I struggled to learn about my culture growing up because I was brought up in Auckland and there was not that much interest in who I was until I got a bit older and then found out for myself.

“By the time I ended up at Unitec I had already found out who my family was and a bit about my background so going to Unitec and that cultural space there was cool for me because I could walk around campus knowing I was Māori and it was all good.”

Nate encourages school leavers to follow their passion.

“The most important thing you are going to need is the passion for it. Anyone who is as passionate as I am will not have a problem. It really comes down to how much you want it.”

Read more inspirational stories at unitec.ac.nz/our-stories