How do I get into engineering?
Engineers enjoy variety in their day-to-day work, tackle interesting
challenges, use problem-solving skills to find creative solutions,
work in teams, are paid well and often get opportunities to travel.
QUALIFICATION PATHWAYS
• Automotive Electrician
• Automotive Mechanic
• Electrician
• Electronics Trades
Worker
• Engineering Machinist
YEAR 11
NCEA Level 1
credits, generally
including English,
Maths, Science
and Technology
subjects
NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IN ENGINEERING
NZQF Level 2-5
YEAR 12
48 credits at NCEA
Level 2, generally
including 12 credits
in each of Maths
and Physics;
Technology
subjects are highly
recommended
NEW ZEALAND DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING (NZDE)
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering
NZQF LEVEL 6: Two years of full-time study or
cadetship (study while working)
www.futureintech.org.nz/nzde
• Fabrication Engineer
• Line Mechanic
• Machine Operator
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Telecommunications
Technician
NEW ZEALAND DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING
PRACTICE (NZDEP)
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering
NZQF LEVEL 6: Two to four years of workbased assessment
NZDE credits can be counted
towards a BEngTech or a BE
NOTE: This is a simplified overview
of the tertiary options and entrance
requirements. Please check with the
polytechnic, institute of technology or
university where you intend to study.
FIND OUT MORE ONLINE
YEAR 13
University Entrance, including
14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in
each of Maths and Physics;
Technology subjects are highly
recommended
about people in
•Stories
engineering roles
•Course finder
of engineering
•Overview
jobs and sectors
Someone – an
•Ask
online Q & A page where
you can ask engineers
about what they
studied and what they
do in their job.
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY [BEngTech]
Civil, Computer + Mobile Systems, Electrical + Electronic,
Mechanical, Network + Communications Engineering
NZQF LEVEL 7: Three years of full-time study
www.futureintech.org.nz/bengtech
BEngTech credits can be counted
towards a BE or BE(Hons)
YEAR 13
University Entrance, generally
including 16 credits at NCEA
Level 3 in Physics and Calculus
(and in Chemistry for some
specialisations); Technology
subjects are highly recommended
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING [BE or BE(Hons)]
Biological, Chemical + Process, Civil, Computer Systems, Electrical, Electronic, Environmental, Forest, Mechanical,
Mechatronic, Natural Resources, Network + Communications, Product Development, Software Engineering
NZQF LEVEL 8: Four years of full-time study
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• Civil Engineering Technician
• CAD Draftsperson
• Contract/Project Manager
• Electrical Engineering Technician
• Electronics Technician
• Fabrication Engineer
• Geotechnical Design Technician
• Mechanical Engineering Technician
• Roading Engineer
• Process Technician
• Telecommunications Engineer
futureintech
A career in technology, engineering and science
Su’ad Barakat (Fonterra) works out ways to make
milk processing plants more efficient.
Pathway: Macleans College, final year: Biology,
Chemistry, Classics, Physics, Statistics;
University of Auckland: Bachelor of Engineering
(Honours) (Chemical and Materials); Massey
University: Master of Dairy Technology.
Zachary Mackintosh (Airways NZ) maintains,
monitors and develops New Zealand’s air navigation
systems. Pathway: Sancta Maria College, final
year: Art, Digital Technologies, Physics, Statistics;
MIT: Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical),
specialising in Computer Network Engineering.
Richard Muir (NZ Sugar) designs and manages
projects in a sugar refinery, such as upgrading water
pumps. Pathway: Avondale College, final year:
Calculus, Chemistry, French, PE, Physics; AUT:
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Mechanical).
Jenny Elder (Opus) manages engineering
construction projects for clients such as NZTA.
Pathway: Otago Girls’ High School, final year:
Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English, Physics;
NZIHT: NZ Diploma in Engineering (Civil); Open
Polytechnic: Bachelor of Engineering Technology.
Progression through work
experience and/or further
qualifications
• Acoustic Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Building Services Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Computer Systems Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Food Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Mathematical Modeller
• Mechanical Engineer
• Network Engineer
• Operations/Production Engineer
• Power Systems Engineer
• Process Engineer
• Product Development Engineer
• Project/Contract Manager
• Robotics/Automation Engineer
• Site/Construction Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Software Developer/Engineer
• Transportation Engineer
• Water Resources Engineer
Ann-Elise Moon (Opus) works on civil engineering
projects such as road safety improvements and
construction. Pathway: Tarawera High School, final
year: Calculus, Chemistry, English, Geography, PE,
Physics, Statistics; NZIHT: NZ Diploma in Engineering
(Civil).
Te Iwa Fisher Tainui, Waikato, Nga-ti Mahuta (Opus)
designs road surfaces and also does geotechnical
and laboratory work, and surveying.
Pathway: Ngaruawahia High School, final year:
English, Maths, PE, Physics; NZIHT: Certificate
in Technology, NZ Diploma in Engineering (Civil);
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil)(in progress).
Elikena Manufekai (Fulton Hogan) designs
and inspects surfacing for roads and organises
resources for the road surfacing crews.
Pathway: Mt Albert Grammar, final year: Accounting,
Calculus, Economics, English, Statistics; Unitec:
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil).
Jessica Napper (Fisher & Paykel Appliances)
helps develop the parts of cooking appliances that
customers interact with, such as dials and buttons.
Pathway: Columba College, final year: Art Design,
Art Painting, Calculus, Digital Technologies, Physics;
University of Canterbury: Bachelor of Engineering
(Honours) (Mechatronics).
Kelly Blackie (MWH) surveys and designs
transportation projects.
Pathway: Columba College, final year: Art History,
Art Painting, Art Design, Photography, Statistics;
Otago Polytechnic: NZ Diploma in Civil Engineering
(Civil); NZ Diploma in Engineering Practice.
Nathan King Nga-ti Kahungunu, Nga-ti Tu-wharetoa (Haden &
Custance) manages a project engineering team.
Pathway: Hastings Boys’ High School, final year:
Biology, Chemistry, English, Maths, Physics,
Technology; Competenz: National Certificate in
Engineering (Heavy Fabrication), Level 4.
www.futureintech.org.nz
AUGUST 2014 #14081