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Maintenance and Diagnostics Engineer - How to get into this job

Mataaro Tiaki/Tātari Pūkaha

Entry Requirements

To become a maintenance and diagnostics engineer you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a National Certificate in Maintenance and Diagnostics in Mechanical Engineering Level 5.

Maintenance and diagnostics engineer apprenticeships are part of the Modern Apprenticeships Scheme, which is for people aged 16 to 21.

Skills4Work website - an apprentice snapshot
Modern Apprenticeships website - information about apprenticeships

Training is also available in the defence forces.

NZ Army website - information about becoming a maintenance fitter
Royal NZ Navy website - information about becoming a marine technician

 

Secondary Education

There are no specific secondary education requirements but School Certificate or NCEA equivalent English, maths and science is preferred.

 

Get help with choosing school subjects

Tertiary Education

Employers often prefer that you complete a pre-apprenticeship course before entering the trade.

As well as completing an apprenticeship and National Certificate you can gain a National Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) Level 6.

 

Relevant courses

Training on the job

Maintenance and diagnostics engineers may attend training courses to keep up to date with the latest machinery, products and tools.

 

Leanne van der Weert.

"Most of it comes with experience. The machines in every engineering workshop are all usually operated in different ways, so you just learn as you go."

Leanne van der Weert - Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineer

 

Useful Experience

Useful experience for maintenance and diagnostics engineers includes:
  • any work using hand tools
  • any work with metals
  • operating woodwork or metalwork machinery
  • work as a labourer
  • welding and sheet metal work.

 

Leanne van der Weert.

"If you complete a pre-trade course it gives you a basic knowledge of engineering before you start looking for an apprenticeship."

Leanne van der Weert - Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineer

 
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Updated September 2009
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