Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
120 credits
NZSCED
030701
Engineering and Related Technologies > Mechanical and
Industrial Engineering and Technology > Mechanical Engineering
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
July 2020
Approval date
July 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the mechanical
engineering, construction, manufacturing, and fabrication
industries with people who have sufficient underpinning
knowledge, understanding, and practical skill to work under limited
supervision as operators or trade assistants within their chosen
discipline.
This qualification is designed for people already working in the
industry or people intending to complete a pre-trade qualification
before entering the industry.
Graduates will be capable of performing a defined range of
engineering tasks under limited supervision.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
Outcome statement
-
Education pathway
Qualification Reference 2715
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Work safely, applying an understanding of relevant Health and
Safety requirements and safety culture, when carrying out
engineering tasks
Apply basic trade related numeracy, literacy, and visualisation
skills to perform engineering tasks
Perform a defined range of engineering tasks according to
instructions using relevant materials, tools, and equipment
Set up and carry out a single process engineering job
according to instructions
Apply an understanding of effective and efficient processes
and principles to the engineering jobs being undertaken
Take responsibility for the appropriate quality of own
engineering work and make corrections as required
Participate and communicate effectively within an engineering
team
This qualification can build on the National Certificate in
Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 1220]. Graduates may
have credits towards this qualification.
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This qualification can lead to, but is not a pre-requisite for, the
following qualifications:
-
-
-
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade)
(Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General
Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, Metal
Forming, and Toolmaking [Ref: 2714]
New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade)
(Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication,
and Steel Construction [Ref: 2719]
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Building Services
(Trade) (Level 4) [Ref: 2717]
Graduates intending to become Certified Engineering Technicians
should complete the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice
(with strands in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering) (Level 6) [Ref 1714].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification 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, Furnace Operator, Machine Operator, Specialist
Production Welder, Metal Worker/Fabricator, Ducting Fabricator,
Pipe Fitter/Welder, Metal Polisher and Pattern Maker Trade
Assistant.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by an organisation which has an
approved programme of study or industry training programme
leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may display
the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All TEOs either arranging training or delivering programmes that
lead to the award of the qualification are required to participate in a
consistency process scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduates’
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds for
qualification outcome achievement and areas for improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence will include the following:
-
Qualification Reference 2715
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the qualification
meet the graduate profile outcomes
Evidence of effective processes to ensure programmes
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-
continue to meet current industry needs
A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that graduates
meet the graduate profile outcomes.
Any other relevant evidence as appropriate
Further information about the managing consistency process can
be found on the NZQA website.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes is required.
There are no grade endorsements for this qualification.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including
regulatory body or legislative
requirements)
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
It is expected that fundamental health and safety awareness will be a
focus at the start of the programme, and further embedded in all onjob and off-job learning throughout the duration of the programme.
Should unit standards be specified in a programme of study or
industry training programme leading to this qualification, please
consult the explanatory notes section of the unit standards concerned,
as there may be legislative and health and safety requirements.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
Work safely, applying an
understanding of relevant
Health and Safety
requirements and safety
culture, when carrying out
engineering tasks
Credits 10
2
Apply basic trade related
numeracy, literacy, and
visualisation skills to
perform engineering tasks
Credits 15
Qualification Reference 2715
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
-
Awareness of own responsibilities in the workplace under
relevant current Acts and Regulations
Awareness of machine guarding principles and requirements
Working safely and contributing to a safe environment
Hazard identification, assessment and control, machine
isolation, reporting, audit and Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) requirements
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
-
Knowledge of trade-related terminology
Production and interpretation of basic engineering sketches
Basic knowledge of trade calculations and units of measurement
for mechanical engineering
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3
Perform a defined range of
engineering tasks
according to instructions
using relevant materials,
tools, and equipment
Credits 40
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
-
Understanding of basic tolerances
Application of calculations and measurements knowledge
Understanding job ergonomics and risk assessment
Basic understanding of engineering materials
Ability to correctly and safely use relevant tools and equipment
General understanding of marking out equipment, conversion,
and calibration
Programmes may also include awareness of relevant standards
4
Set up and carry out a
single process engineering
job according to
instructions
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
Credits 35
-
-
5
Apply an understanding of
effective and efficient
processes and principles to
the engineering jobs being
undertaken
Credits 5
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
-
6
Take responsibility for the
appropriate quality of own
engineering work and make
corrections as required
Credits 5
Qualification Reference 2715
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Applying job ergonomics and risk assessment (for the area of
work)
Basic materials handling and the use of equipment required to
handle the materials
Monitoring the condition and safety of tools and equipment
Carrying out all work efficiently and according to specifications
Overview of manufacturing processes
Awareness of effective and efficient processes and principles,
e.g. lean manufacturing
Contribution to identification and elimination of wasteful
processes
Understanding the concept and importance of continuous
improvement
Understanding the importance of delivering in full, on time, and
to specifications
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
-
Working to an acceptable standard
Awareness and application of simple inspection techniques
Damage minimisation practices
Following quality systems
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7
Participate and
communicate effectively
within an engineering team
Credits 10
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics (as a
minimum):
-
Confirming and clarifying instructions
Understanding the importance of, and completing, basic
workplace documentation
Communicating with teammates, supervisors, other
management (including awareness of other cultures and
languages in the workplace)
Programmes may also include peer support.
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Welding (Level 3)
[Ref: 1615].
The last date for entry into the replaced national qualification is 31 December 2017.
The last date for assessments to take place for the replaced qualification is 31 December 2019.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the
address below. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis.
Competenz
PO Box 9005
Newmarket
Auckland 1149
Telephone 0800 526 1800
Email qualifications@competenz.org.nz
Republication information
Version 1 of this qualification was republished in May 2016 to extend the last date of enrolment into
programmes leading to the National Certificate in Welding (Level 3) [Ref: 1615] from 31 December 2016
to 31 December 2017 and the last date for assessment from 31 December 2018 to 31 December 2019.
Qualification Reference 2715
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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