Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
The general engineering programmes provide a nationally recognised qualification that combines practical workplace learning with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to build, maintain, and repair a wide array of machinery and equipment using fitting, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding—meeting industry standards across diverse mechanical contexts. Training also covers health and safety legislation, interpreting drawings and specifications, engineering problem-solving, quality systems, and effective communication within teams and workplaces. These two programmes can be done indepentantly or as one apprenticeship.
Benefits of the programme
• Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
• A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
• Flexible structure combining workplace learning and block courses
• Coverage of safety and quality standards in line with industry practice
• Build skills in plastics processing methods, die setting, equipment operation, and quality control
• Ability to progress through a pathway from operator to production engineer roles
• Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.
Plastics Engineers manage, optimise, and maintain the processing of plastics products. They work with a variety of plastics processing machines and there are senior and specialist roles that you can progress to and qualify in.
Typically, an eight-hour day; starting early or shift work.
Plastics engineers operate one or more plastics processing machines, run trials, make recommendations to improve production processes, troubleshoot and resolve processing problems, and quality assure.
These can be useful from School:
Traineeship or apprenticeship
Higher learning
Higher learning
Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your businesses specific needs.
The New Zealand Certificates in Plastics Processing and Plastics Engineering have been developed by leading New Zealand plastics manufacturers to equip staff with the skills and knowledge to work productively and safely.
Together with the Level 2 programme in manufacturing (with a plastics specialisation) the qualifications form a pathway of learning from entry level plastics operators, die setters and technicians to experienced plastics production engineers.
The programmes have specialisations designed with the future in mind.
We partner with industry associations like Plastics New Zealand to help recruit and build talented employees.
