NZ's largest purpose-built engineering classroom

New Zealand’s largest purpose-built engineering and welding teaching facility to open doors

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will be officially opening its new purpose-built engineering and welding facility on Friday 26th March 2010 at its Windermere Campus.

Malcolm Hardy – Head of School for Applied Technology says “This is the biggest tertiary training building of its kind in the country, which includes room for 28 lathing machines, 28 individual welding booths, a huge fabrication area, testing labs and break out rooms.”

Local MP’s, dignitaries, industry guests, other tertiary training providers, Polytechnic council and staff have all been invited to this opening.

“The Polytechnic works closely with industry to ensure what we’re offering meets local and national demand. Local industry indicated a need for two new higher qualifications, which led to the development of the National Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) Level 6 and National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology) Level 6 programmes” says Malcolm.

The creation of the facility couldn’t have come at a better time for the Titanium Industry Development Association (TiDA). Over the past 12 months TiDA has been working closely with Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to develop an advanced powder metallurgy research centre which will undertake research, component testing certification, fast prototyping and specialist metallurgy training. Housed within the Polytechnic’s new technology centre, the research centre will open in April 2010 and will feature state-of-the-art equipment. The collaborative nature of this venture will see the TiDA and the Polytechnic working with four universities, crown research institutes and commercial research companies to both value-add and develop uniquely engineered products.

After Friday’s formal proceedings, guided tours will be conducted taking guests through the new facility. Guests will also view the newly re-developed automotive workshops in D Block, now double the size since the welding and engineering department have moved into their new building.

For further information about the opening, or our new engineering programmes, phone Bay of Plenty Polytechnic information centre or visit www.boppoly.ac.nz.

ENDS