New Civil Engineering Qualifications Now Available at NMIT

11 October 2013
NMIT Media Release –for immediate release

New Civil Engineering Qualifications Now Available at NMIT

Industry demand for civil engineers has led to the introduction of the national civil engineering diploma at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT).
From March 2014, students will be able to study the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering – Civil at the Nelson Campus in the institute’s brand new Applied Technology facilities.

NMIT Group Manager Sharon McGuire said the new programme was being introduced with the support of industry. It followed an independent research report that found there was a long-term shortage of civil engineers locally and nationally and that a minimum of 15 civil engineering graduates or cadets were required in the region each year.

“Our feedback from industry was that they were supportive of the proposal for NMIT to introduce this training based on their experience of skills shortages and their desire to have something available locally. They indicated their willingness to assist NMIT in developing the course content and said they would be happy to employ a graduate from NMIT,” she said.

NMIT is currently in the process of a $7.8 million upgrade of its construction, maritime, infrastructure and engineering facilities. The upgrade would enable the institute to expand into higher-level training in engineering – something they had wanted to do for some time, said Sharon McGuire.

“NMIT has provided training in these areas for many years, however our growth and our ability to keep up with the changing needs of industry were previously constrained by our facilities. We’re excited that the new fit-for-purpose building will enable us to produce excellent engineers for the New Zealand environment and offer locals the opportunity to stay in the region to study,” she said.

NMIT Programme Area Leader for Trades David White said graduates from the two-year, Level 6 diploma would leave equipped with the skills to work in industry as engineering technicians. It was likely that the programme would be offered with both a full-time option and a part-time option for cadets working in industry. In future, NMIT would also look to offer higher level qualifications in civil engineering including to degree level, he said.

Mark Jones, Chair of the Nelson-Marlborough branch of IPENZ - Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, is welcoming the launch of the new programme.

"Based on our experience of long-term shortages of civil engineers in the region and nationally, we're very supportive of the proposal by NMIT to introduce training in this area. It will be great for cadets to be able to complete their training in Nelson rather than through a combination of correspondence and travel. NMIT has consulted widely with industry and there's broad support for the introduction of this programme."

ENDS

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