New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Level 3

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Get your career started in the mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing and fabrication industries with UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering.

A female UCOL student working at the workshop.

Quick info

Level: 3

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 1 year full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
25 Jul 2022 - 28 Apr 2023 (Apply online)
13 Feb 2023 - 17 Nov 2023
17 Jul 2023 - 19 Apr 2024

Domestic Fees: *
$8974.00Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
$20,500.00

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

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Learn how to perform basic engineering tasks and gain the essential skills needed for an entry level position in mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing or fabrication.

UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is designed for people already working in the industry or people intending to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering the workforce.

Your training will provide you with skills employers are seeking, including workplace professionalism (health and safety, and communication), and the ability to perform a defined range of engineering tasks.

Fees-Free

This programme is eligible for fees-free study under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund.

You don’t need to apply to access the fund - just enrol in an eligible programme, and the TTAF process will take care of the fees until 31 December 2022.

Please contact the info centre for more details.

COVID-19 vaccination and work

Some private companies and organisations may require staff to be vaccinated. If placement or internship is part of your programme, please check with the companies or organisations about their policy. You can see more information on UCOL's Covid-19 page and on the Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 40 weeks, including 6 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

20.5 hrs

In-person, online and in-work learning.

Study Time

16 hrs

Study in your own time.

Career & Study Outcomes

Education pathway

This qualification provides a pathway to further tertiary study at certificate level in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Fabrication and Mechanical Building Services. UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is equivalent to the first year of an apprenticeship. Further study options at UCOL include:

New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade) (Level 4)

Career pathway

Successful graduates of UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering will be able to work under limited supervision in an operator or trade assistant role in their area of specialisation, in the mechanical engineering, construction, mechanical building services, manufacturing, or fabrication industries. Roles may include:

CNC machine operator
Mould and core maker
Machine operator
Specialist production welder
Metal worker/fabricator
Ducting fabricator
Pipe fitter/welder
Metal polisher and pattern maker trade assistant

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries, see Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Occupation Outlook for Engineering Professionals.

Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Mechanical Engineering Health and Safety (10 Credits)
Learn how to identify and demonstrate safe working practices in the mechanical engineering industry.

Mechanical Engineering Drawing and Calculations (15 Credits)
Apply basic trade related numeracy, literacy and visualisation skills to perform engineering tasks.

Mechanical Engineering Workshop Basics (40 Credits)
Learn how to perform a defined range of engineering tasks according to instructions using relevant materials, tools and equipment.

Mechanical Engineering Materials and Basic Processes (20 Credits)
Learn to apply effective and efficient processes and principles while adhering to the instructions for single process engineering jobs.

Mechanical Engineering Communication and Quality (15 Credits)
Develop concepts of quality, continuous improvement and interpersonal communication within a mechanical engineering context.

Mechanical Engineering - Welding (20 Credits)
Learn to demonstrate basic welding procedures under supervision.

Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:

Certificate in Fitting, Welding and Machining

Domestic Entry Requirements

NCEA Level 1

Equivalent academic achievement

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS or equivalent, including TOEFL. Contact the info centre for more details. UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

For more information about NCEA Credits see UCOL's NCEA explained page.

International Entry Requirements

Please enquire for details

Advice & Guidance

Work experience
There are no practicum or work experience hours for this programme.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the appropriate form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Additional Costs

PPE Gear, Overalls, Gloves, Hat, Boots, Hard Hat $350.

Scientific calculator $30

Drawing equipment, compass set 150mm, 300mm rules $15

Folders, Lecture pads, pens and pencils approx $60

New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering