Trades

Learn theory and get the practical skills to be able to work as an assistant to a licensed plumber, gasfitter of drainlayer under supervision.

There’s a world of options open to you in the Automotive industry: disassembling and assembling vehicles and engines, using diagnostics to locate electrical faults, working on heavy equipment, tuning racing cars, and repairing damaged vehicles.

Careers

Automotive engineers spend their days in a garage or workshop environment where they’ll diagnose faults in vehicles, dismantle engines and other parts, repair or replace where necessary, put everything back together and make sure the vehicle is running smoothly.

Automotive electricians take care of electrical wiring and electrical and electronic systems in vehicles and marine equipment. Their day could go from discussing faults with customers, to using diagnostic equipment to locate electrical and electronic faults, to repairing or replacing electronic systems such as engine management, air conditioning, ABS brakes, air bags, electronically controlled gearboxes and vehicle computers. They could also be installing security systems, or auto entertainment systems, and carrying out vehicle engine tune-ups.

Heavy equipment automotive engineers service trucks, buses, bulldozers and tractors. They are based in a workshop but will probably also be required to repair machinery on-site. Their day could include diagnosing vehicle faults, dismantling, repairing and rebuilding engines and other parts, ordering replacement parts, servicing heavy automotive equipment, and ensuring hazardous waste is disposed of appropriately.

At Wintec students will gain the level of skills and qualifications needed to work as builders, joiners or carpenters.

Careers

Carpenters or Builders work on-site building, repairing and installing structures including foundations, walls, roofs, windows and doors. The role could involve interpreting building plans and architectural drawings, selecting materials, measuring and cutting to size and shape, nailing, screwing or gluing wood and various materials together, removing and repairing parts, installing windows, doors and staircases, and ensuring all completed work is watertight.

Joiners measure, cut, prepare and assemble timber and timber board products to make interior fittings such as kitchen cabinets, doors, window frames and stairs. They may also be required to work on-site measuring up and then installing the finished products.

Installing, maintaining and repairing electrical wiring and equipment, developing and designing electrical systems, designing methods to generate and distribute electricity, repairing and replacing appliances; these are the specialised skills in electrical engineering.

Careers

Electricians are responsible for electrical wiring and equipment repair and maintenance. A typical day could be anything from installing lights and power points in new or existing building right through to repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and machinery in factory or plant environments. Electricians may also be responsible for the design and building of new electrical installations and maintaining, operating an managing these systems. 

Installing, repairing and maintaining household electrical appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves and washing machines is the responsibility of a Domestic appliance service person. Their day could see them discussing appliance problems and faults with clients, carrying out tests to check for appliance faults, repairing or replacing any failed parts, and installing new appliances.

As a mechanical engineering trades person, your role in industry can be varied.  You may be employed as a Machinist, a Fitter or a Welder/Fabricator.  You may also work across these disciplines.  Roles in these fields would involve interpreting blueprints, selecting materials, measurement, use of hand tools and powered equipment.  Depending on the role, workers may work indoors or outdoors, at heights or in confined spaces.

Careers

Machinists – typically operate machine such as milling machines, lathes, grinders and CNC machine tools.  Parts are usually manufactured to close tolerances requiring use of precision measuring tools.  Machinists may work in jobbing shops interpreting drawings to make individual parts or assemblies, or manufacturing plants making parts in larger numbers.

Fitters – often work in a maintenance and repair capacity on equipment such as conveyors, gearboxes, pumps, and light to heavy mechanical assemblies and equipment, that may include hydraulics and pneumatic systems.  Fitters use a wide array of hand and power tools and may have to follow detailed instructions and processes.

Welder/Fabricator – use several welding processes to join together, or fabricate, larger components.  They will work closely with fitters, machinists and other trades in the repair and construction of industrial equipment and infrastructure.  In this role you will have to follow established procedures and strict health and safety guidelines as work is often conducted at heights or in confined spaces.

New Zealand's location on an active plate boundary has resulted in the development of numerous geothermal energy resources. Our scientists and engineers pioneered the process of transforming the earth's natural thermal energy into commercial reality, and a highly skilled workforce now keeps the wheels of industry turning. Wintec is one of the country's largest trade training centres, providing training for much of the workforce.

Our courses

Wintec's courses are tailored to meet both industry specifications and individual client needs in content and delivery. They're focused on knowledge, specific skills and aptitudes that assist operators, mechanical and electrical trades personnel in the effective operation of an energy plant. Skills taught include:

• Electrical knowledge of plant equipment: Generators, transformers, line transmission, high voltage switches and synchronisation of generators
• Control systems: Including control loops, Scada operation, programmable logic controllers, distributive control systems, and principles of fine tuning control loops.
• Operation of plant equipment: Efficiencies of plant operation, problem solving, teamwork, decision making processes.
• Maintenance of plants: Including both electrical and mechanical practices, vibration analysis, oil sampling, alignment of equipment, infra-red analysis, and how to set up maintenance systems.

Train the trainer

Training packages that are custom designed to meet the needs of individual industry clients are available to train trainers throughout the world in the competencies of energy centre operator training. These programmes are both theory and practical based and focused on developing trainers to undertake training needs analysis and develop training packages that are relevant to energy centre industry standards.

Connected to industry

Wintec works in collaboration with the University of Auckland's Geothermal Institute and our programmes are developed together with New Zealand's leading Geothermal generators including Mighty River Power and Contact Energy.

 

Please direct all enquiries to Chris Stuart and check out our Geothermal Brochure.

Trained instrumentation technicians, or 'Instros' are in high demand in an extremely wide range of large process industries and Wintec is the only provider of qualifications in this industry sector in New Zealand.  Wintec has modern industry relevant training facilities and equipment, and tutors who keep up-to-date with the latest technology advances in this field.