This diploma represents the underpinning knowledge and skills necessary for a career as an engineering technician in the computer engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, industrial measurement and control, or telecommunications industries.

Engineering technicians are typically associated with development, manufacture, installation, servicing, and repair of engineering systems, products, and components, with limited technical supervision, and are able to report on these activities clearly and concisely.

The diploma caters for:
. People wishing to prepare for engineering technician roles in the industries mentioned above, and would normally be followed by, or combined with, a period of work experience, putting the knowledge and skills gained to practical use in the industry.
. People already qualified in a trade or as a technician, and who wish to advance their careers by improving their technical, theoretical, analytical, and communication skills.

This qualification provides a pathway to other engineering disciplines at diploma level as well as a lead in to engineering degrees.

The National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6) [Ref: 1313] (NDE) forms an advanced theory basis for industry-linked qualifications that require practical experience in the candidate's chosen field. Candidates can fully or partially complete any of the following industry-linked qualifications before commencing the NDE or fully or partially complete the NDE before commencing any of the industry-linked qualifications. This allows candidates the opportunity to advance either their knowledge or practical skills as appropriate.

Industry-linked qualifications that can lead to this qualification or that can follow on from this qualification include but are not limited to:
. National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical Appliance and Electronic Servicing) (Level 4) with strands in Commercial Electrical Appliances, Domestic Electrical Appliances, Electronic Consumer Goods, Office Equipment, and Portable Electrical [Ref: 1266]
. National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrician for Registration) (Level 4) [Ref: 1195]
. National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 5) [Ref: 0951]
. National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Motor Rewinding and Repair) [Ref: 0412]
. National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Technician) (Level 4) with strands in Control and Instrumentation, Power Technician, and HVDC Technician; and an optional strand in Electrical Services [Ref: 0917]
. National Certificate in Electronic Engineering (Level 4) [Ref: 1123]
. National Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Level 4) [Ref: 0410]
. National Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Level 5) [Ref: 0976]
. National Certificate in Telecommunications (Level 3) with strands in Bearer and Switch, Building and Data Cabling, Customer Access Network, Customer Premises Equipment, Information and Communications Technology, and Radio [Ref: 0767]
. National Certificate in Telecommunications (Level 4) with strands in Bearer and Switch, Building and Data Cabling, Customer Access Network, Customer Premises Equipment, and Radio [Ref: 1002]
. National Certificate in Telecommunications (Manufacture and Production) (Level 5) with strands in Electronics, Mechanical, and Radio [Ref: 0109]

The diploma is designed to be achieved either as a two-year full-time programme or as a part-time programme over a longer period.

The diploma comprises unit standards at level 3 and above covering a variety of electrotechnology topics. Apart from the compulsory unit standards, candidates may select unit standards from anywhere in the qualification provided the credit requirements are met and that the candidates select and follow a structured programme of learning - under guidance from their training providers - that meets their chosen industry requirements. The candidate must also be guided by the individual unit standard pre-learning requirements.

Specifically, the diploma covers the following areas:
. analogue and digital electronic systems;
. automation;
. computer engineering;
. electric power engineering;
. electric power generation and transmission;
. electrical and electronic engineering;
. electrical building services;
. electrical machines;
. electricity supply engineering;
. electronic manufacturing;
. electrotechnology engineering project management;
. electrotechnology project development;
. engineering maths;
. engineering practice, management, and workplace communications;
. illumination engineering;
. instrumentation and control;
. mechanical engineering as it applies to electrotechnology engineering;
. microcontrollers;
. network infrastructure and networking;
. personal computer engineering;
. power electronics;
. programmable logic controller engineering;
. programming including rapid application development;
. radio engineering;
. real time programming;
. research projects;
. telecommunications.

The qualification provides the opportunity for candidates to study special topics of their choice in the field of electrotechnology at level 4, level 5, and level 6.

The ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation (ETITO) supports the concept of continuing and lifelong education, and encourages students to consider future training options. Credit transfer arrangements have been added to the National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) (Level 6) [Ref: 1313] to provide linkage to and progression from electrotechnology programmes at universities and polytechnics throughout New Zealand.