Otago Polytechnic is launching a heavy automotive engineering programme and driver training as a result of consultation with local industry to meet the skills shortage.
Otago Polytechnic automotive programme manager Hamish Miller says “it’s a win-win”.
The level 4 New Zealand engineering certificate “gives learners a really strong grounding”.
“In turn, that means it is great for employers looking for quality staff.”
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker says he is pleased to deliver a course that meet the needs of the heavy transport industry.
“The introduction of this programme is a good case study of our responsiveness.
“It demonstrates that although the vocational education system may have some challenges, Otago Polytechnic continues to grow its offerings and, in doing so, strengthens industry and other organisations in the region.”
The course has strands in road transport, plant and equipment, agricultural equipment, and materials handling.
It is structured in the same format as the light vehicle/auto electrical programmes, which have been highly successfully in training apprentices to meet industry needs.
Otago Polytechnic is also expanding its automotive engineering (level 3) programme to offer increased training in heavy as well as light automotive engineering training.
Both of the programmes will be offered from July 2019 in the newly renovated premises in Donald St, Kaikorai Valley, Dunedin.
HT driver training
Otago Polytechnic is also planning to offer heavy transport driver license training from September.
“The trucking industry is growing and, at the moment, a lot of companies are looking for drivers, too,” Miller says.
“So as well as training people to be HT mechanics, we are offering HT driver training, which means learners have a range of pathways once they complete their programmes with us.
“This flexibility is important. It means an employer can take on someone for a driving role knowing that person also has the requisite skills and training to move into a workshop – or vice-versa.
“And the people working on trucks have to be able to drive the vehicle anyway. For example, they might have to test-drive it before and/or after as well as get it into the workshop.”
