Qualification Overview

Qualification Title New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
Qualification Type Certificate
Level 3
Credits 120
Subject Area
  • Engineering and Related Technologies » Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Technology » Mechanical Engineering
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 mechanical engineering or engineering fabrication 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:

- Work safely, applying an understanding of relevant Health and Safety requirements, job ergonomics, risk assessment, and knowledge of safety culture, when carrying out engineering tasks.
- Apply numeracy to perform basic trade calculations to determine angles, lengths, areas, volume, and conversion of units of measurement, related to engineering tasks.
- Use basic trade terminology when communicating information or workplace instructions related to performing engineering tasks
- Use visualisation skills to produce and interpret basic engineering sketches, to perform engineering tasks.
- Interpret basic knowledge of engineering materials in relation to mechanical properties, strength, and their uses.
- Perform a defined range of engineering tasks according to instructions using relevant materials, correct and safe use of tools, and equipment.
- Apply knowledge of marking out, marking out and measuring equipment calibration, and the application of basic tolerances to manufacture components.
- Set up and carry out a single process engineering job, efficiently using the correct tools and equipment required to carry out the work and monitoring their condition for safe and effective operation according to instructions.
- Apply knowledge of effective and efficient work practices for specific manufacturing processes used to complete engineering jobs undertaken to ensure delivery in full, on time and to specifications.
- Work to an acceptable standard with responsibility for the quality of own engineering work by following quality systems, damage minimisation practices, simple inspection techniques, and make corrections as required.
- Participate and communicate effectively with awareness of other cultures and languages, to confirm and clarify instructions, communicate health and safety matters, and completing basic workplace documentation, within an engineering team.
Education pathways
This qualification can lead to the following:
- 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]
- New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Systems (Engineering) (Level 4) [Ref: 2561]
Employment pathways
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
Pattern Maker Trade Assistant.To find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements
None
Education Organisation 16 Organisations can assist in gaining this qualification
Developed By Hanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council
Quality Assured By New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Number 2715
Status Current
Created 2015-08-11 12:09:45.0
Next Review 2026-05-31 00:00:00.0
Content View full qualification details

Qualification Title

The qualification title names the overall focus of the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Te Reo Maori Title

Listed under Te Reo Maori title with English equivalent.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Matauranga Maori Qualification

A qualification quality assured and approved through the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance approach.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Qualification Type

There are different types of qualifications including certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate certificates and diplomas. Qualification types relate to NZQF levels.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Level

The NZQF has ten levels. Level one is least complex and is often entry-level, for example foundation certificates. Levels eight to ten are the most complex, and include post-graduate study.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Credits

The credit value relates to the size of the qualification. One credit equates to ten hours of learning. One year's full-time study at a provider is usually 120 credits, but if you are studying part-time or in the work place the credit value may vary.

+Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Subject Area

All qualifications are grouped into subject areas on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED). The subject area is a keyword and can be used when searching for qualifications in an area of interest.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Strategic Purpose Statement

Strategic purpose statement explains the reason why the qualification has been developed. It identifies the target learners and for what roles the qualification prepares them.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Graduate profile

The Graduate profile explains the skills, knowledge and attributes a graduate will have attained on achieving the qualification. It describes what they can know and do and be.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education pathways

Education pathways include other qualifications you can enrol into after completing this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Employment pathways

Employment pathways include the kinds of careers you can develop with this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Next Review

This is the date the qualification will expire and be reviewed or discontinued.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Date For Entry

The last date a learner can be enrolled in a programme leading to this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Entry Requirements

The level of education or training you need to have achieved before an education organisation will consider enrolling you for it or arranging the training. Each organisation may also have entry requirements for the programmes they run.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education Organisation

This is the organisation that can help you achieve the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Developed By

Qualifications are developed by education organisations. These include standard setting bodies, like industry training organisations, and tertiary providers, such as universities, polytechnics and private training establishments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Quality Assured By

All qualifications on the NZQF have been checked by the quality assurance bodies of NZQA, ITP Quality or NZVCC to ensure qualifications have meaningful outcomes.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Number

All qualifications have a unique number.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Status

The status shows if a qualification is current, expiring or discontinued. Only current qualifications have programmes at education organisations that are open to new enrolments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Created

This is the date the qualification was listed on the NZQF.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Reviewed

Last date the qualification was formally reviewed.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Content

Information on how a qualification is structured.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Discontinued

This is the date the qualification was discontinued and no longer available.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]