New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3) (Light) - Christchurch

AEC300 Automotive Workplace Requirements 

AEC310  Workshop Engineering, Hand and Power Tools

AEC320 Engine Principles and Service Requirements

AEC321 Engine Tuning, Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly 

AEC322 Vehicle Clutches, Transmissions and Final Drives

AEC330 Automotive Electrical Principles

AEC331 Automotive Batteries, Starting and Charging Systems

AEC332 Automotive lighting and wiring systems

AEC333 Automotive Electronics and HVAC

AEC340  Vehicle Braking Systems

AEC341 Vehicle Suspension and Steering Systems

AEC342 Wheels and Tyres

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

• NO tuition fees
• 2020 Direct material costs are $1525 (GST Inclusive)

International Fees can be found here.

This qualification is designed for people who are beginning a career in the industry and provides graduates with the skills to service general automotive systems. Graduates of this programme will be able to work under limited supervision.

SIT has some of the best automotive facilities in the country and great relationships with local employers. This course has been endorsed by the Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) and the Automotive Advisory Committee (Invercargill) which represents the local industry.

Why complete a pre-trade course?

When you complete a pre-trade course you receive an industry recognised qualification that sets you on your way to an apprenticeship in your chosen field.

School Leavers

• Four years’ minimum secondary education
• Attained NCEA Level 2
• Desire to work in the automotive industry
• Recommended as a co-requisite: Class 1 full driver's licence

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above, in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty, in consultation with the Programme Operations Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Language requirements 

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or

Successful completion of a Bachelors’ Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the preceding two years:

• IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14)
• Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill.
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
• NZCEL - a) Expiring Level, b) Current: a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace), b) Level 3 (General)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36
• Language Cert - B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than PASS in each skill
• Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band

Completion of all primary education and at least three years secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction, or

Completion of five years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction.  

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

• Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements, or
• Have successfully completed a Bachelors’ Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
• Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA, or
• Have achieved the required score and with all scores achieved in a single test in one of the internationally recognised English Proficiency tests (specified above) within the preceding two years

The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3) full time over 34 tutorial weeks or part-time over two years.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully:

• Achieve all the graduate outcomes in the graduate profile showing competence to a minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3).
• Complete required practical and theoretical course work and assignments.
• Complete a minimum of 136 hours of approved work experience

Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

Students are also required to partake in at least one full day a week work experience with a recognised automotive technician or similar who will delegate you various tasks and help SIT assess your progress. There is no expectation upon the employer to offer paid employment for this period, although this can be a confidential agreement between employer and student. You are encouraged to find your own work experience with a suitable company in the sector of the industry that interests you most.

In addition to the above, students will be required to complete regular homework.