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Gaining a trade qualification is an excellent choice for those who enjoy hands-on, practical work. Whether it is as a plumber, carpenter, welder, or electrician, being qualified in a trade can open doors to many work opportunities, and job prospects are solid.
At Wintec, our entry-level trades programmes are a great stepping-stone to becoming an apprentice. The benefit of studying before you start an apprenticeship is you gain excellent foundational knowledge that helps you understand terminology and processes, as well as gaining important hands-on skills. We also offer some higher-level trade qualifications for those who are qualified but want to upskill and specialise.
Our industry partners tell us that our graduates enter the workplace with strong confidence and knowledge, which helps them secure apprenticeships and succeed in them. In some instances, studying our courses also mean that students have covered some of the theory required in the first year of their apprenticeship before they have even started.
Scroll down to check out the great selection of trade programmes that Wintec offers to see what best suits your interests.
"I really like the sense of whānau in the class - it’s been an eye-opener and a great experience that has broadened my mind about different cultures and perspectives. The tutors are always helpful and give you good one-on-one teaching that really helps you build skills and confidence. I love the sense of achievement of being able to build and create things. "
Bridging/foundation programmes
Plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying
Plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers work with the pipes, drains, fixtures, and fittings that supply water and gas to buildings, or that remove waste from them. Within buildings, they will install or repair items such as basins, toilets, hot water cylinders, and gas stoves. However, they may also work on larger construction projects such as sub-divisions where they may work on drainlaying solutions. Many work across all three key disciplines; others become specialists working in a particular field such as just gas. Many qualified tradespeople in this field are self-employed.
Automotive
If you have a passion for cars and vehicles and love to work with your hands to solve problems, then a career in automotive engineering could be perfect for you. Automotive engineers typically work in workshop environments diagnosing faults, dismantling and repairing parts and engines, and fine-tuning vehicles. Some specialists work on heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, bulldozers and tractors. Others focus on electrical and electronic systems in vehicles and marine equipment. They diagnose electrical faults; repair and replace electronic systems; and work across air conditioning, ABS brakes, airbags, electronically controlled gearboxes, and vehicle computers. They may install security systems, or auto entertainment systems, and carrying out vehicle engine tune-ups.
Building and construction
If you are hands-on and enjoy creating and repairing structures, then completing a construction-based trade could be great for you. Carpenters work on-site, building, restoring, and installing foundations, walls, roofs, windows, and doors. They interpret building plans and architectural drawings, selecting and preparing materials to shape. They may install windows, doors, and staircases; and ensure 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.
Electrical engineering
Electricians install, repair, and maintain electrical wiring equipment. For some, who service domestic households or commercial developments, a typical day could be anything from installing or replacing light fittings, wiring, and power points in houses or buildings, through to fixing appliances such as washing machines or fridges. Some electricians specialise and may be employed by factories or plants to maintain large-scale machinery. Electricians may also be responsible for the design and build of new electrical installations.
Mechanical engineering
If you like to make and maintain things, use machinery, and have an eye for detail and precision, then a career as a mechanical tradesperson could be for you. In this industry you will work with steel or plastics, creating and maintaining equipment across a range of industries. Common names for people in this trade are welders, machine operators, fitters, machinists, and fabricators. Roles may be general in nature, where you work to create and maintain things across an organisation. Or, you may specialise in using very particular or specialised types of materials, or working specific industries. Mechanical tradespeople have a lot of flexibility around where they may work. Typically, roles may be at mills, steelworks, wharves, manufacturing plants (for food, drinks, products or parts), or power stations. You may also maintain ships, aircraft, or oil rigs.
Geothermal energy
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 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, and 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, and 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.
Industrial measurement and control
Instrumentation measurement and control (IMC) technicians (otherwise known as 'instros'), work across a multitude of industries such as petrochemicals, pulp and paper, wood products, dairy manufacturing, metal refining, food and beverage, meats and brewing production, water and wastewater treatment, and power generation. They install, maintain, repair, and calibrate instrument systems that control machinery and production processes, ensuring safety, environmental, and operational standards meet industry requirements. The industry suits those with a technical nature and an eye for quality and detail. Students often have a background in electrical or possibly mechanical trades. Wintec delivers the theory component of IMC Level 4, and in partnership with the Skills Org, forms a managed apprenticeship programme. With manufacturers and process industries continuing to automate, there is a high demand for skilled technicians both locally and internationally. Many employers are now looking for dual trade as a preference.
Find out more about industrial measurement and control.
Professional Programmes/short courses
Events
News
Top New Zealand young apprentices compete at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017
Thirteen young New Zealanders are getting ready to shine at the 44th WorldSkills International competition in Abu Dhabi from 15-18 October. They will meet more than 1500 competitors from 76 other member countries and regions. Together they will compete in 51 skill tournaments at the world’s biggest vocational education and skills excellence competition.
The New Zealand team includes florists, carpenters, waiters, mechanics, plumbers and chefs. They all have been undergoing intensive skill training with the assistance of their respective employers and skill experts over the past few months.
CEO of WorldSkills New Zealand Malcolm Harris says these young people demonstrate technical abilities both individually and collectively to execute specific tasks for which they study or perform in their workplace.
“We have a great team and participating in the WorldSkills International Competition in Abu Dhabi will be an invaluable experience for them. They have increased their work skills, but just as importantly, have grown as individuals.
Skills competitions showcase and inspire world-class excellence and introduce the youth to a variety of career options.
“We are very happy with the depth of talent attending this year’s international skills competition,” says Malcolm Harris “I believe these young, talented New Zealanders will encourage others to take up skills careers and develop through WorldSkills competitions.”
Wintec is a proud supporter of the New Zealand Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Skills team (NZITP Skills team), which was selected from last year’s 2016 WorldSkills New Zealand National Competition held and hosted by Wintec. The apprentices were also selected through ongoing performance evaluation.
Wintec will host the WorldSkills national competition again next year.
“We’re all about celebrating skills excellence in young people, and our support of WorldSkills is one of the ways to demonstrate this,” says Wintec’s chief executive Mark Flowers.
“WorldSkills competitions give visibility and importance to professional education. In an increasingly globalised world, highly skilled young talent will lead the way in evolving new technology and our future workforce.”
A delegation from New Zealand Industry Training Organisations (NZITO) and institutes of technology will attend the competition and the WorldSkills Conference, which will focus on ‘Skills Strategies for a Globalised World’.
The 2017 NZITP Skills Team members are:
Andrew Champion – BOC Welding competitor from Feilding, employed by RCR Energy.
Alex Banks – Resene Automotive Refinishing competitor from Wellington, employed by Stokes Valley Collision Repair in Lower Hutt.
Chabbethai Chia – etco Electrical Installation competitor from West Auckland, employed by Team Cabling in the North Shore.
Hunter Turner – The Skills Organisation Plumbing and Heating competitor from Kohimarama, Auckland, employed by J&J Plumbing & Gas in South Auckland.
Jarrod Wood – Aircraft Maintenance competitor from South Auckland, employed by Air New Zealand at the Auckland Airport.
Kimberley de Schot – Restaurant Service competitor from Christchurch, employed by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in Burnham.
Logan Candy – Automotive Technology competitor from Gisborne, employed by the NZDF in Palmerston North.
Logan Sanders – etco Industrial Control competitor from Wellsford, employed by Dalton Electrical in Auckland.
Nicholas Todd – Cooking competitor from Otago, employed by the NZDF in Christchurch.
Nicole Keeber – Floristry competitor from Whakatane, employed by Bouquet Floral.
Sarah Browning – ACG Yoobee Graphic Design Technology competitor from Nelson, employed by Adcorp in Wellington.
Shea Keir– Industrial Mechanic Millwright competitor from Waikato, employed by Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts in Tokoroa.
Todd Hamilton – Carpentry competitor from Hawkes Bay, employed by the NZDF in Palmerston North.
About WorldSkills NZ:
WorldSkills New Zealand is an independent, non-profit charitable trust founded in 1986, dedicated to encouraging young people to excel in vocational skills. This is achieved through exposure to competitions at regional, national and international levels.
About WorldSkills International:
WorldSkills International is the global hub for skills excellence and development. Through international cooperation and development between industry, government, organisations, and institutions, we promote the benefits of, and need for, skilled professionals through grassroots community projects, skill competitions, and knowledge exchange. We show how important skills education and training is for youth, industries and society by challenging young professionals around the world to become the best in the skill of their choice.
Visit WorldSkills NZ on Facebook and check out the website. Follow the competition on WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017’s website.
Image: NZITP Skills team 2017
Disclaimers
Pathways
To check what you need to gain entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
About the faculty
Our trade-training programmes are conducted at our modern, purpose-built centre at the Wintec Rotokauri Campus in Hamilton. It is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading trade-training facilities.
We work closely with our industry partners in the Waikato region to ensure students are trained in the fields and disciplines that are in demand. Our facilities include an array of different labs, studios, and workshops resources. Students gain exposure to an extensive array of up-to-date equipment to gain practical skills that they will use on the job. These skills, combined with theoretical instruction from qualified tutors, ensure Wintec graduates are highly sought after by industry and are work-ready when they leave us.
The programmes on offer currently include the areas of carpentry; mechanical; automotive; electrical, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying; as well as additional specialised qualifications for experienced tradespeople.
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on a document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
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