New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 4) (Road Transport) or (Plant and Equipment)
Continue developing your career in the automotive industry by learning how to safely and effectively diagnose and repair faults that are commonly encountered on heavy vehicles. This programme is ideal for learners who are starting, or already doing, an apprenticeship in the workplace.
Domestic
Apply now
Email autotrades@op.ac.nz to get started.
About the programme
This qualification is ideal for learners who are starting, or already doing, an apprenticeship in the workplace.
During this programme, you'll gain the industry-specific skills you need to work in a wide range of roles in the motor industry. You will learn how to safely and effectively diagnose and repair faults that are commonly encountered on heavy vehicles. You will complete either the Road Transport or Plant and Equipment strand.
You'll graduate as a Qualified Automotive Technician and would be well placed to pursue senior positions in a heavy automotive workshop.
What You Study
Road Transport courses
| Course name (you will need to complete all of these courses) | Credits |
|---|---|
Effective Workplace Maintenance and Safety
|
15 |
|
Multi-Cylinder Diesel Engines
|
20 |
|
Diesel Engine Intake and Exhaust Systems
|
15 |
|
Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
|
15 |
|
Diesel Engine Emission Control Systems
|
15 |
|
CoF Inspections and Vehicle Recovery
|
10 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Clutches and Transmissions
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Drivelines and Final Drive Assemblies
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Suspension and Chassis Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Steering Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Starting, Charging and Lighting Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Foundation Brake Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Pneumatic Brake Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Electronic Brake and Stability Control Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Cab and Body Control Systems
|
15 |
|
Heavy Vehicle On-Road Telematics and Hybrid Systems
|
15 |
Plant and Equipment courses
| Course name (you will need to complete all of these courses) | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Effective Workplace Maintenance and Safety
|
15 |
|
Multi-Cylinder Diesel Engines
|
20 |
|
Diesel Engine Intake and Exhaust Systems
|
15 |
|
Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
|
15 |
|
Diesel Engine Emission Control Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Safety Inspections and Vehicle Recovery
|
10 |
|
Plant and Equipment Clutches and Transmissions
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Drivelines and Final Drive Assemblies
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Hydraulic Systems
|
20 |
|
Plant and Equipment Suspension, Chassis and Track Drive Undercarriage Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Steering Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Starting, Charging and Lighting Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Brake Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Attached Equipment
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Machine Electronic Control Systems and Electronic Safety Systems
|
15 |
|
Plant and Equipment Onboard Network Systems, Telematics and Autonomous Machine Operation
|
15 |
Workload
Your workload
You will be required to attend a weekly night class and additional one-week block courses. You'll do approximately six hours per week of directed study (outside of your employment commitments).
Entry
Entry requirements
- Level 3 Automotive Engineering qualification (such as the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)) OR evidence of equivalent skills and knowledge.
- You must be employed in a heavy automotive engineering workplace which is operating at a commercially-acceptable industry standard.
- You, your employer and Otago Polytechnic must enter into a training agreement.
- You must hold a current workplace First Aid certificate (prior to enrolment).
- You must achieve a Class 4 Licence before your programme ends.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please note this programme isn't available to international students.
Selection criteria
Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis until the programme has reached full capacity.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
Funding help
As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional costs or living costs. But, some help may be possible depending on your circumstances. Check the Studylink website for more information.
If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz
You may be eligible to access additional tuition fee support through the Government's Fees Free scheme. See Paying for your study section below.
Additional costs
Safety equipment and clothing (may be supplied by your employer).
You need to buy all of your textbooks, stationery, tools.
Textbooks
(Optional - online digital access will be provided while studying)
- CDX Fundamentals of Automotive Technology (ISBN: 978-1-284-10689-3)
- CDX Medium and Heavy Duty Diesel Engines (ISBN: 978-1-284-06705-7)
- CDX Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle Systems (ISBN: 978-1-284-04116-3)
- CDX Mobile Heavy Equipment (ISBN: 978-1-284-11291-7)
Stationery
(Compulsory)
- 1 x calculator
- Pens/pencils/eraser etc.
- 8 GB flash drive
Smart device
(Recommended)
- Laptop, cellphone or tablet which is Wifi capable, able to take photos and use Windows 365 applications.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Application
How to apply
If you'd like to apply for this programme, please email EngTrades@op.ac.nz and we'll guide you through the application process.
Due to this being studied alongside an apprenticeship, the process is a little different to our standard programmes.
Need more info?
If you'd like to chat about this study option before applying, please email EngTrades@op.ac.nz
Or, you can get in touch with the Programme Leader, Hamish - hamish.miller@op.ac.nz | 03 4796115
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
