Engineering is an incredibly important industry. Passionate engineers work hard every day to design, create and repair essential components for residential, commercial and industrial spaces. If you dream of one day becoming an accomplished engineer, you might be asking, “How do I start?” NZ engineering apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to kickstart your engineering career.

What Are Engineering Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are entry-level positions that allow aspiring engineers to gain hands-on experience while being guided by experienced mentors. Apprentices work for host companies or are directly employed by the company they work for and are paid while they learn on the job, gaining essential skills and practical experience while taking care of their tasks.

We at ATNZ specialise in pairing enthusiastic apprentices with host companies and employers who are ready to support their learning journeys. There are no fees involved for apprentices, and if your host company no longer needs your services, we will try to connect you with another company to work with. 

What should you know about NZ engineering apprenticeships?

Opportunities For Everyone. Our programmes have very few requirements and are open to all kinds of learners. We gladly encourage all genders and races to apply for apprentices, and we proudly support women, Maori and Pasifika individuals who are interested in becoming skilled engineers. We are looking for passionate people who are eager and willing to learn, regardless of background. 

A few things to note are:

• There is no upper age limit. You must be at least 16 years of age to apply, but there is no upper age limit. We welcome anyone over 16 to come and learn essential engineering skills through our programmes.
• You must live and work in New Zealand. Apprentices must have the right to permanently live and work in Aotearoa.
• No prior qualifications are necessary. Whether you’ve done plenty of engineering work before or if you’re entirely new, we’d be glad to have you. 

Please remember to check the particular requirements of the courses you’re interested in, as there may be additional criteria for specific programmes. 

Overall, NZ engineering apprenticeships are a pathway for Kiwis to start off their engineering careers right. An apprenticeship with us at ATNZ will provide you with support, education, practical experience and much more. 

Various Engineering Types To Explore. What type of engineering are you interested in? We offer quite a few kinds of engineering apprenticeships:

• Mechanical engineering.

• Engineering fabrication. 

• Refrigeration and air conditioning.

• Mechanical building services. 

We also offer programmes in:

• Fluid power engineering.

• Welding programmes.

We also offer short courses and individual units if you’re not yet ready to commit to a full apprenticeship. We have an engineering gateway programme for school learners as well.

Earn While You Learn. One prominent advantage of NZ engineering apprenticeships is that you can earn while you learn. You’ll be paid for your hard work, and you can use your wage to alleviate financial obligations so you can spend less time stressing about money and more time learning about engineering. 

You may be required to purchase your own tools. Some companies provide tools, whereas others ask apprentices to bring their own. Regardless of what your host company offers, it’s good to build up your own supply of tools for future use. 

If you cannot afford this, we at ATNZ are happy to offer you interest-free loans for new tools.

Forming Valuable Connections With Others. An apprenticeship gives you an excellent opportunity to make real connections with others in the field. In fact, many apprentices stay with the host company they work with for a few years after their apprenticeships are completed. These connections can help you find good jobs in the future.

Additionally, you can form positive working relationships with the skilled individuals guiding you through your apprenticeship. At ATNZ, we pair our apprentices with account managers who serve as their mentors. Your account manager will visit you in person once a month. Plus, they’ll always be available on the phone if you need them. We recommend keeping note of things you’d like to talk about throughout each month so you can have a productive discussion with your account manager during their monthly visits. 

Of course, you can also bond with fellow apprentices who are in the same boat as you. You can study together, discuss your experiences as engineering apprentices and support one another during your learning journey. There are study groups in many areas of New Zealand that you could visit in person, or you can join an online study group. These groups are available most weeks.

Forming great working relationships with those around you will strongly improve your experience. Remember to stay communicative and approachable. It’s natural to face obstacles when pursuing a new career, and keeping a positive mindset even during challenging times will make your apprenticeship much more rewarding.

Delving Into The World Of Engineering With ATNZ

Are you ready to choose your course? Do you still have any questions for us? You can book a chat with our ATNZ team online through our contact page.

ATNZ: Your prosperous career as a skilled engineer starts with an engineering apprenticeship.