Study Civil & Mechanical Engineering at SIT

The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) is an applied academic qualification of 2-year full time (240 credits) programme at level 6 on the NZQF and currently students have the ability to major in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.

A common curriculum and national examinations and moderation process provide confidence to industry over the consistent quality of graduates and the strong involvement of industry in the oversight of the qualification through the New Zealand Board of Engineering Board (NZBED) ensures that the qualification remains aligned with industry needs. NZDE is a national qualification that has been developed with industry’s call for technician level qualifications that recognise practical skills by combining quality academic study to national standards with a rigorous and structured assessment of practical skills.

Are you looking for a career that:

• Combines the application of technical knowledge and practical know-why?
• Has great job prospects in an area of high skill demand?
• Contributes significantly to New Zealand’s future development?
• Is supported by a structured national qualification pathway recognised by industry?
• Provides standing and recognition through a professional body?

There is a shortage of engineering professionals in New Zealand, and new graduates are in high demand. Many engineering jobs are on Immigration New Zealand’s skill shortage lists, which mean the Government is encouraging engineering professionals to migrate to New Zealand. Civil and structural engineers are especially in demand due to the rebuilding of Christchurch.

The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) is the professional body and registration authority for engineers in New Zealand. IPENZ has accredited the 2 year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering. IPENZ accreditation provides graduates with the added benefit of enhanced international recognition of their engineering qualification.

• Estimated average income for engineering professionals - $88,000
• Employment in engineering has generally expanded since 2003

On achievement of this qualification, graduates should:

• Be competent apply a technical and conceptual knowledge to practical situations.
• Be confident, critical thinkers who have the ability to solve problems within a broad engineering setting.
• Have developed capabilities as effective communicators, with inquiring, flexible, creative and critical attitudes towards contemporary issues and underlying theoretical concepts.
• Have an appreciation of management and information technology within the context of the qualification.
• Have an awareness of social, ethical and environmental issues.

The path is clear!

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Engineering tutor, Carlo Gabriel came to New Zealand from the Philippines, working as a Mechanical Engineer, before moving to Invercargill in 2014.

He completed a five-year Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Masters Equivalent) at Saint Louis University and has just completed his New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching through SIT2LRN.

Carlo worked as a tutor/instructor at a university in the Philippines, and then as a Plant and Machine Operator in the engineering industry in New Zealand, before coming to SIT.

He was keen to pursue a career in teaching and he believes his experience helps him to show learners the connection between theory and practice.

“This makes it easier for them to see the relevance of the information we discuss in class to real life that resulted in a more meaningful and context-based learning,” Carlo says.

He teaches the Graduate Diploma in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Engineering Technology, New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Technology and facilitates the New Zealand Certificate in Project Management through SIT2LRN.

Carlo enjoys helping his students to fully develop themselves and their mathematically competencies.

“In particular, I am committed to constantly engaging in cutting-edge and forward-looking research in engineering education.

“Since I started working at SIT in 2017, I have presented to various research symposiums and conferences.”

He was recently appointed as a Panel Review Member of the Australasian Association of Engineering Education Conference 2019 and has received the ‘Best Research Presenter’ award in a recently concluded SIT-OP Symposium in Dunedin.

“I am also an official member of Engineering New Zealand, Mechanical Engineering Group NZ and Australasian Association of Engineering Education,” says Carlo.

He plans to take up a Ph. D. in Engineering Education in the near future.

“As a practicing Mechanical Engineer by profession, I never rest on my achievements as an engineer.

“In my heart, I desire to shape the minds and skills of future engineers, and this is a way to reach out to future engineers so that I can transmit the knowledge and skills I have by teaching team.”

Carlo wants his students to remember him as a tutor who did not only teach them the concepts and theories, but also made them work ready through the technical, professional and personal skills he shares with them.

Chloe Branks had no previous experience in anything even remotely related to engineering when she decided to enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). 

“I chose Mechanical Engineering because after thinking about doing a trade for a long time, I decided engineering looked fun and interesting, and why not give it a go.”

Smashing stereotypes, Chloe has come out of her year of study as the top student, walking straight into an apprenticeship. Tutor Bruce Hartley cannot speak highly enough of Chloe. “Chloe is not only the top student on this year’s course, but is the best pre-trade engineering student I have taught. Her ability in the machine shop rivals that of apprentices attending their final year block course. I am confident that Chloe will become an exceptional tradesperson and an asset to the industry.”

Chloe had previously tried studying a couple of other courses after leaving school but hadn’t found her niche until this year, studying mechanical engineering. Knowing she wanted to do something hands on that would give her a skill she could use for the rest of her life, mechanical engineering fit the bill, and she has enjoyed the course immensely.

“The tutors were great and not only taught me the content, but gave me a passion for the trade and a really good foundation to start my future career.”

Especially enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of her classes, Chloe appreciated that while the tutors had the skill and experience to answer all the questions the students threw at them, they were also easy to get along with and to have a joke with, which made it easier to learn and succeed as you were having fun doing it.

The workshops at SIT have everything an engineering workplace in the real world would have which makes the transition into the workplace that much easier.

Chloe will be focusing on her apprenticeship and becoming a qualified tradesperson for the next couple of years. Looking forward to working in an industry she enjoys, she hasn’t ruled out completing further study once her apprenticeship is finished, but the main thing for Chloe is to enjoy her work.

With his father working as a builder contractor, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Graduate Diploma in Engineering Technology (Civil) student, Michael Zhou was exposed to the construction industry from an early age.

He was born and grew up in China, and although he has some mechanical and civil engineering work experience, however primarily worked in the mineral inspection industry for eight years.

“I gained a bachelor’s degree in engineering before coming to SIT,” he says.

As well as his father’s work history, Michael’s brother is a quantity surveyor back in China, sparking his interest in Civil Engineering.

“Another major reason is that there is a shortage of civil engineers in the New Zealand labour market,” says Michael.

“I think this means I can have a better career prospect and I am keen to become a chartered civil engineer in the future.”

He chose SIT as he was convinced the institute could provide him with an engineering education service that he will be satisfied with.

“SIT also provides free language courses for international students, which was very helpful for me to improve my language skills.

“And comparing with other institutes, the tuition in SIT is more reasonable and cost-effective, and the cost of living in Invercargill is not very high, and the population is small.”

“In my opinion, SIT is an ideal place for me to study efficiently.”

Learning at SIT is meeting his expectations of mastering the knowledge framework, standards, and industry laws and regulations on civil engineering in New Zealand to get ready to enter the industry.

He is also hoping to significantly improve his English, while studying here.

“I am especially grateful to my tutor, Carlo Gabriel, who is a very responsible tutor with outstanding experience and capability.”

“I especially enjoy his teaching style.”

“He combines practical work with theoretical teaching, which makes our study very effective.”

“With his help, we obtained a proposed project of the Invercargill City Council as our research topic. And with his encouragement, I used the research topic to participate in the SIT 3MT and won,” Michael says.

The ‘Three minute thesis’ competition centred around the I.C.C’s 2018-2028 Long Term Plan to upgrade aging wastewater pipelines of Isabella Street in Invercargill.

The improvement of the ageing pipe network is essential due to the continuously increasing population of Invercargill and urban development, and it is also beneficial for residents who will face challenges of climate change in the future.