a brighter future
Mechanical engineering gives you loads of variety in your work. You will be building and fixing machines, tools, and engines.
If you love making and fixing things, you are well suited. There is a shortage of qualified mechanical engineers, so future job prospects are excellent.
Career Pathways
Fitter Turner, General Engineer, Machinist, CNC Machinist, Maintenance Engineer, Tool Maker.
Fabrication Engineers make, install and repair metal products such as vents, handrails, boilers, aircraft and boat parts, or beams and girders for construction projects. It is a great skill set to learn as it is easy to transfer between different industries, so there is always the opportunity for something new.
Fabrication provides opportunities in a variety of industries, including
Building and Construction, Automotive, Marine, Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing and Repair, and Specialised Craft Equipment Manufacturing and Repair.
$62.5K
AVERAGE ANNUAL
SALARY* FOR QUALIFIED
FABRICATION ENGINEERS
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers install, service and maintain refrigeration and air conditioning systems. There is a real shortage of qualified workers in this area, to the extent that the government are trying to attract people from other countries. Future job prospects are excellent.
Career Pathways
Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Engineer.
$50K-$95K
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY*
FOR QUALIFIED REFRIGERATION AND
AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS
Mechanical Building Services Engineers install and maintain the components used in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This career path suits people who like a huge variety in their work.
Career Pathways
Mechanical Building Services Engineer, Mechanical Building Services System Designer, Commercial Mechanical Building Services Engineer, Industrial Mechanical Building Services Engineer.
$90K
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY* FOR QUALIFIED MECHANICAL BUILDING ENGINEERS
Fluid Power uses hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems to transmit energy via pressurised fluids, enabling efficient mechanical operations in various industries.
You may be well suited if you are interested in understanding how machines work and enjoy problem-solving skills.
Career Pathways
Hydraulic Technician, Pneumatics Technician, Fluid Power Engineer, Maintenance Technician, Field Service Technician.
Qualified welders are skilled professionals who join metal components using various welding techniques. Their expertise ensures precise and durable connections in structures and machinery, following industry standards and protocols. Welders do all kinds of work, from constructing buildings and bridges to fabricating more detailed things, ensuring the strength of the metals they work with.
Welding provides opportunities in several industries, including:
Construction, manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, fabrication and metalworking.
As part of our commitment to being a responsive and flexible training organisation, ATNZ is producing a series of short courses on demand. These non-NZQA-certified courses are designed to respond to industry requests and provide specialist training to fill immediate skills gaps. We have recently launched the first of these courses, on Precision Measurement and Control. Further short courses will become available.
ATNZ offers over three hundred individual unit standards for purchase, allowing learners and professionals to upskill at their own pace. Our NZQA-approved unit standards are tailored to meet the demands of the engineering sector. Purchasing these provides practical skills, enhances qualifications, and strengthens competitiveness in a fast-evolving industry. These are perfect for continuous development and career advancement.
If you have any requests for short courses that you or your team require, or if you want to inquire about individual unit standards, please chat with your Account Manager or email
Enrollments for 2024 are now closed. After a very successful first year, we look forward to enrolling more learners in 2025. The programme provides an excellent introduction to engineering and is valuable learning that can be useful in the future.
Pricing and Payment
The Metalwork Engineering gateway package costs $350 plus GST per learner. ATNZ will invoice your school directly.
Duration
Learners should engage with work-based learning once a week for ten weeks.
Enrolment
To enrol a learner please fill out the School Application and Learner Enrolment forms and send them to