Graduate Encourages Students To Try All Options

Engineering Graduate Encourages Students To Try All Options

“If you can’t get into Victoria University try WelTec” says Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) student, Reece Lloyd. Reece was responding to Victoria University’s announcement last week that the University is restricting enrolments and could end up turning away 1500 students.

Reece completed a National Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) (Level 6) with WelTec in 2009 and is currently continuing his studies undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Mechanical) part-time while he works at Thermoplastic Engineering Ltd in Porirua.

“My degree studies are going really well. I’m very impressed with what we’re learning at WelTec. Young people can relate easily to the programme. You can study mechatronics, computer engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and computer networking. I am really pleased I decided to carry on with my studies. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology means I can apply both engineering theory with the applied and practical components of engineering. By the end of it I’ll have an in-depth understanding of practical engineering solutions and applications. Studying at WelTec gives you real opportunities to gain employment” says Reece.

Michael Kerr, Chair of WelTec’s advanced engineering advisory committee and Wellington Regional Manager at Beca, an international civil engineering company agrees. “The industry has got fantastic opportunities for school leavers. There is a significant shortage of engineering technicians in the face of a large government economic stimulus package especially in the transport and power sectors. Industry has to deliver whether it is in building, designing or pricing. School leavers have many opportunities to move into our industry and they should be considering engineering for their studies.”

Chief Executive of WelTec Dr Linda Sissons comments, “There is no reason why the students being turned away by Victoria couldn’t study at WelTec. We offer a range of degree programmes and have strong demand from industry for our graduates.

“Victoria and WelTec are working together to help prospective engineering students find places in either tertiary institution. On offer will be bridging classes to optimise a student’s chance of success and easy credit transfer for those students moving between institutions. This is great for engineering students and is something that could easily be put in place for other disciplines”, says Dr Sissons.

ENDS

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