Qualification Overview

Qualification Title New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, Metal Forming, and Toolmaking
Qualification Type Certificate
Level 4
Credits 280 - 300
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 industry with skilled tradespeople who are able to safely and independently perform engineering tasks within their chosen discipline, to industry standards.
This qualification is intended for people already working within the industry to gain a credential that will enhance their employment opportunities and/or people that wish to enter the mechanical engineering industry.
Graduates will be able to operate independently as Mechanical Engineering tradespeople in their chosen discipline, in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industries.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Apply relevant Health and Safety legislation and knowledge of the workplace safety culture in order to work safely and meet responsibilities in a commercial mechanical engineering environment.
- Produce and interpret engineering sketches and simple component drawings and/or specifications with knowledge of limits, fits and geometrical tolerancing used in engineering.
- Apply knowledge of trade calculations and units of measurement to perform a range of mechanical engineering tasks.
- Apply knowledge of the composition and characteristics of engineering materials to select and optimise their use through job planning and sequencing tasks.
- Determine available and appropriate manufacturing and engineering processes, tools and equipment, and an overview of alternative engineering process to suit a range of mechanical engineering tasks.
- Interpret basic engineering job operations, planning and sequencing for job costing and pricing, with consideration to efficiency and economical processing options.
- Apply knowledge of relevant engineering principles and practices using problem-solving skills for fault finding and root cause analysis, to perform engineering tasks efficiently and effectively while working to specifications and industry standards.
- Correctly use and maintain tools and equipment, monitoring their condition for safe and effective operation to ensure accuracy, minimise damage to work, and to prevent accidents.
- Interpret knowledge of calibrating measuring equipment, and methods of non-destructive testing to carry out self-inspection of work.
- Select and inspect simple lifting appliances and slings, to safely secure a load and carry out lifting procedures.
- Apply knowledge of effective and efficient manufacturing models, the processes and principles, of quality systems, in the production of components and/or for the provision of services in a commercial mechanical engineering environment, to deliver in full, on time and to specification.
- Practice effective communication with awareness of other cultures and languages, to confirm and clarify instructions, communicate health and safety matters, and understand workplace documentation, within a mechanical engineering team and the wider workplace.
- Self-manage on-going learning, seeking advice or guidance when required while maintaining acceptable standards across the mechanical engineering industry.

Graduates of the Fitting and Machining strand will also be able to:
- Build and install complex machines where the use of fitting, machining, assembly, and precision alignment skills are required.

Graduates of the General Engineering strand will also be able to:
- Build, maintain, and repair a broad range of machinery and equipment using skills including fitting, machining, fabrication and welding, with knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics.

Graduates of the Machining strand will also be able to:
- Plan, sequence, and machine complex engineering components using manual and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines to achieve a high degree of tolerance and finish, efficiently and effectively by using current and relevant machining technologies and techniques that include the use of specialised tooling and measuring equipment, to meet required specifications.

Graduates of the Maintenance Engineering strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of current and appropriate maintenance engineering techniques, technologies, strategies, and practices for their industry to monitor, inspect, maintain and repair facilities or plant and equipment ensuring reliability.
- Read and interpret complex drawings and schematics to identify and remedy faults, and to contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement.

Graduates of the Metal Forming strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of metallurgy including sampling and testing of metal quality, heat treatment, moulding material composition/limitations, and appropriate current forming technologies and techniques to produce quality finished cast and hot formed products from metal.
- Apply knowledge of refractory to monitor, and maintain linings and crucibles used in the metal forming processes.
- Interpret knowledge of metal forming processes, methods engineering, and overview of alternative manufacturing technologies.
- Plan, prepare, and transfer molten metal from a furnace, and pour molten metal to produce items such as castings, ingots, test bars.

Graduates of the Toolmaking strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of tool design and function to plan, sequence, and manufacture precision tooling for relevant industrial processes, using current and appropriate manufacturing technologies, and techniques, for both precision fitting, and machining process of manual and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining with the use of specialised tooling and measuring equipment., to meet specification according to drawings and Computer Aided Design (CAD) models.
- Interpret knowledge of 3D modelling technology for toolmaking.
Education pathways
This qualification builds on the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) [Ref: 2715].
This qualification leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Advanced) (Level 5) [Ref: 2716].
Employment pathways
Graduates will be able to work independently as Mechanical Engineering tradespeople in their chosen discipline, in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industries.
Specific roles for each of the strands may include:
- Fitting and Machining strand - Fitter Turner, Fitter
- General Engineering strand - General Engineer
- Machining strand - Machinist
- Maintenance Engineering strand - Maintenance Engineer, Heavy Industrial Engineer, e.g. marine/rail/electrical
- Metal Forming strand - Metal Caster, Foundryman, Moulder, Cast Metals Engineer
- Toolmaking strand - Toolmaker, Die Maker, Mould MakerTo find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements
None.
Education Organisation 8 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 2714
Status Current
Created 2015-08-11 12:09:26.0
Next Review 2026-05-31 00:00:00.0
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