NZDEP (Civil Engineering)
Qualification Overview
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice (NZDEP)
(Civil Engineering strand) [Ref 1714]
Level 6, 120 Credits
22 Feb 2013
Edition 3
Edition 3
© InfraTrain NZ Limited 2013
Note: All information was correct at time of printing.
When using this overview, please ensure that the latest version of documents are referenced.
Introduction
This document provides an overview of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice
(NZDEP) (Civil Engineering) which replaced the National Diploma in Civil Engineering
(Applied) in 2011. The standard setting body for this qualification is the New Zealand Board
of Engineering Diplomas (NZBED); there are two other strands which are aligned towards
Electrical Engineering (ETITO) and Mechanical Engineering (Competenz).
This document focusses on the Civil Engineering strand only.
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the civil engineering industry with people that
are able to consistently apply understanding and skills to the standard expected of a
practicing engineering technician.
It is aligned with the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) competence
standard for engineering technicians seeking recognition in the class of Associate Member
(AIPENZ) and/or registration as a Certified Engineering Technician (CertETn).
The NZDEP is intended to supplement and integrate the academic learning achieved
through completion of a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) with practical
knowledge and experience, and hence develop further competence in engineering through
on-job experience.
The practice area for the candidate may include but is not limited to engineering
consultancy, contracting or central/local government.
The NZDEP requires the completion of 120 NZQF credits and is intended to supplement and
integrate the academic learning achieved through completion of the 240-credit NZDE with
practical knowledge and experience, and hence develop further competence in engineering
through on-job experience.
Qualification
The qualification is made up the five unit standards as shown on page 5.
Title
Short Name
Credit
Duration
NZ Diploma in Engineering Practice
(Civil Engineering) L6
NZDEP
120 credits
23-30 months
Overview – NZDEP (Level 6)
Copyright © InfraTrain New Zealand 2013
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Costs (effective 1 January 2013)
Qualification fee
$1,500 + GST or $62.50 + GST per month for 24 months
Assessment costs
Internal assessment: no cost
External assessment: determined with assessor
Subsidy details
No completion subsidy; no off-job subsidies
These fees are aligned to the superseded National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied). A
new fee structure is currently under consideration however these fees are to be applied until
further notice.
Pathway
This qualification can lead on from the NZDE (Civil).
NZDEP may lead on to further study such as a Bachelor of Engineering Technology or a
Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Prerequisite
The NZDEP will only be awarded to candidates who have also completed a NZDE or an
equivalent qualification approved by the NZBED. The NZDE may be completed at one of the
following accredited tertiary education organisations:

Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)

Northland Polytechnic (Northtec) (limited range of courses available)

NZIHT, in conjunction with Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)

Otago Polytechnic

Unitec Institute of Technology

Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC)

Wellington Institute of Technology (WELTEC).
The NZDE (Civil) is an NZQA approved 240-credit Level 6 academic qualification with a
common curriculum, national examinations and national moderation processes.
Note that candidates cannot be issued with the NZDEP until they have completed, and been
issued with, the required prerequisite qualification.
Overview – NZDEP (Level 6)
Copyright © InfraTrain New Zealand 2013
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Graduate profile
The graduate of this qualification will be able to:
•
comprehend and apply detailed knowledge underpinning good practice as an
engineering technician
•
comprehend and apply detailed knowledge underpinning good practice as an
engineering technician that is specific to the jurisdiction in which he/she practices
•
identify, state and analyse well-defined engineering problems in accordance with
good practice for engineering
•
design or develop solutions to well-defined engineering problems by applying
accepted procedures and methodologies
•
be responsible for making decisions on part or all of one or more well-defined
engineering activities
•
manage part or all of one or more well-defined engineering activities in accordance
with good engineering management practice
•
identify risk and apply risk management techniques to well-defined engineering
problems
•
conduct engineering activities to an ethical standard at least equivalent to the relevant
code of ethical conduct
•
recognise the reasonably foreseeable social, cultural and environmental effects of
well-defined engineering activities generally
•
communicate clearly with others in the course of his/her well-defined engineering
activities
•
maintain the currency of engineering knowledge and skills
•
exercise sound engineering judgement.
Features/benefits
 Developed with industry—reflect industry best practice.
 Can be achieved on-job while working and learning.
 Equally accessible throughout country—not limited to main centres.
 Supported by InfraTrain's regional advisors.
 Training results in higher pay and lower chance of unemployment (Source: Min of Ed).
Overview – NZDEP (Level 6)
Copyright © InfraTrain New Zealand 2013
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Edition 3
Assessment process
Candidates use their Portfolio of Evidence to record their work experience, employment
history and training records. They gather evidence over a period of time and, in consultation
with a workplace mentor, present the completed Portfolio of Evidence and the amassed
evidence to the assessor.
The NZDEP will be assessed using a holistic assessment philosophy which incorporates
submission of a Portfolio of Evidence and a professional interview. This practice allows the
recognition of any relevant learning as part of the assessment process.
The qualification is supported by the Portfolio of Evidence and the Qualification Guide.
Transitional arrangements
The NZDEP replaces the National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied) [Ref 1292]. The
last date for award of the diploma is 31 December, 2014.
All new enrolments are to be in the NZDEP.
No further enrolments in the National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied) will be accepted
after the registration date for the NZDEP. Candidates who have fully or partially completed
Unit Standard 23410 in the replaced diploma are able, at no extra cost, to have their Record
of Achievement evaluated by the NZBED by demonstrating equivalent knowledge and skills
and will be awarded credit towards the Civil Engineering strand of the NZDEP.
Candidates currently enrolled in the National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied) will be
permitted to complete that qualification. Graduates and current holders of the National
Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied) will be permitted to request a mapping of evidence
through an RPL/RCC process to the NZDEP. Successful candidates will be awarded the
NZDEP. There may be a cost associated with this process.
Overview – NZDEP (Level 6)
Copyright © InfraTrain New Zealand 2013
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Edition 3
Supporting resources
NZDEP Qualification Guide
Version 1
NZDEP Portfolio of Evidence Civil Strand Workbook
Version 1
Candidates must complete all unit standards
Unit standard
Level
Credit
Version
27472
Demonstrate professional and ethical
behaviour as an engineering technician
6
15
1
27473
Identify and analyse well-defined civil
engineering problems
6
15
1
27474
Develop, implement, and evaluate solutions
for well-defined civil engineering problems
6
15
1
27475
Apply risk management to well-defined civil
engineering problems
6
15
1
27476
Demonstrate and apply competence as an
engineering technician
6
60
1
If you would like more information about these qualifications, please talk to your InfraTrain
regional advisor or call InfraTrain on 0800 486 626.
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Overview – NZDEP (Level 6)
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