Engineering programme now available on the Coast

Media release – 31 May 2013

Engineering programme now available on the Coast

For the first time people interested in getting into the engineering industry will be able to study on the West Coast.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic will begin teaching the new Certificate in Engineering (Fitting and Turning) at its Westport campus in July 2013. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has recently given approval for TPP to teach the level three programme which originated at Rotorua’s Waiariki Polytechnic.

TPP engineering tutor Aaron Major says because the programme is new, students will get to work with brand new state of the art engineering equipment.

“TPP is fitting out the workshop with brand new equipment which is really exciting. If you enjoy working with your hands and are a practical problem solver then a career in engineering is a really good option,” he says.

TPP is now in the process of building a purpose built engineering workshop that is due to open in 2014. During 2013 the programme will be run out of the Kernohan Engineering workshop in Westport giving students an opportunity to get a close up look at the industry.

Alastair Sutton, Regional Operations Manager for Kernohan Engineering Ltd’s Westport branch says the company was pleased to be able to support both the polytechnic and the community.

“Twenty years ago there was a huge lack of apprenticeships and that’s really starting to hurt the industry now so we need to see people coming up through the ranks and being trained,” he says.

It is expected the programme will appeal to school leavers and older students who want to get into a trade. The certificate gives students the skills and knowledge to work as a tradesperson in the engineering industry and sets them up to enter an apprenticeship.

TPP’s Trades Programme Leader Hadleigh Smith says the polytechnic consulted with the Buller community to ensure there was a need for the programme. “The industry and community told us there was a demand for apprentice engineers in the engineering and mining sectors in Buller. There are only limited places available so if you are interested I would advise you to get in touch with TPP as soon as you can,” he says.

The 32 week programme begins on 22 July and finishes on 21 February 2014. A new intake will start in February 2014. For more information contact Tai Poutini Polytechnic free phone 0800 800 411, text 027 467 5574, e-mail info@tpp.ac.nz or visit www.tpp.ac.nz

ENDS

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