New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)

Have you got an eye for detail and like to learn how things work? Would you like to learn how to machine, fabricate and weld metal projects? This course is your ticket to an exciting career in the world of Mechanical Engineering! You'll learn the fundamental requirements and be able to apply them practically to a wide variety of Mechanical Engineering tasks. 

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Key Details
Invercargill
Qualification:
Certificate
Level:
3
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

2026 Semester 1: 09 February to 13 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • No Tuition Fees
  • Direct Material Costs $2,684.00 (GST inclusive).
  • The SIT Zero Fees Scheme (ZFS) is subject to NZ government policies
     

International Fees can be found here.

This qualification will help you develop the skills needed to work within the industry as a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice. This qualification is beneficial when applying for apprenticeships and employers find the skills and experience gained on this course as desirable.

You will learn:

  • Fabrication
  • Welding
  • Machining
  • General Engineering
  • Drawings including Computer Aided Drawing
     

 

Module

Level

Credits

Description of Module

MECH3028

3

10

Engineering Health and Safety

Students will develop knowledge and skills in relevant health and safety legislation so they can apply appropriate work safety practices and procedures when carrying out tasks in an engineering environment.

MECH3029

3

15

Engineering Calculations and Drawing

Students will develop basic trade related numeracy, literacy and graphic visualisation skills to produce engineering tasks.

MECH3030

3

15

Mechanical Engineering Workshop Skills

Students will develop basic engineering workshop skills in using simple measurement, lifting and moving loads and materials as well as develop knowledge of common engineering materials.

MECH3031

3

20

Engineering Machining

Students will develop skills in basic machining and workshop practices including applying appropriate engineering work practices when using measuring equipment to perform mechanical machining operations.

MECH3032

3

20

Engineering Fabrication

Students will develop basic fabrication skills and techniques as well as develop good working practices when using engineering power tools.

MECH3033

3

20

Welding

Students will develop and apply basic welding principles and skills as well as health and safety processes when welding materials.

MECH3034

3

10

Mechanical Engineering Processes and Quality

Students will develop ākonga knowledge of effective and efficient processes as they take responsibility for their own work in the carrying out basic engineering tasks.

MECH3011

3

10

Mechanical Engineering Communication

Students will consistently apply effective communication techniques by participating in a team environment within an engineering workshop.

US6400

3

2

Manage first aid in an emergency situation

US6401

2

1

Provide first aid

US6402

2

2

Provide basic life support

Graduates from this qualification will be able to progress into industry roles including apprenticeships in the following:

  • Specialist Production Welder
  • Machine Operator
  • CNC Machine Operator
  • Metal Worker/Fabricator
  • Ducting Fabricator
  • Pipe Fitter/Welder
  • Metal Polisher
  • Pattern Maker Trade Assistant

School Leavers

  • NCEA Level 2 (recommended), minimum 10 credits NCEA Level 1 in both literacy and numeracy
  • Three years’ minimum secondary education
  • Desire to work in the mechanical engineering industry

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) 
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) 
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill. 
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 3 (General) 
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 
Language Cert - B1 Achiever International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

To satisfactorily complete New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) and be awarded this qualification the student must have successfully:

  • Acheived minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3).
  • Completed required practical and theoretical programme work and assignments.
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

(Please note; students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement)

Three days per week class time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8.00am-5.00pm.

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