Job Prospects... At a glance
Prospects are good for qualified engineering technicians. The strong economy and government investment in infrastructure and roading is increasing demand for engineering skills. There is currently a shortage of many types of engineering technicians. This occupation is also a viable option for those wanting to enter the field of engineering without doing a full degree.
Engineering technicians assist engineers in their work and do a variety of different tasks depending on their specialisation and specific job.
To become an engineering technician you need to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering. This is an academically-based qualification provided at 11 polytechnics throughout New Zealand.
Engineering technicians who wants to gain additional qualifications can then complete the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice (after a few years of work experience). This covers the practical elements of the role and is gained on the job while you work. Completing a three year BEngTech bachelor’s degree is also a popular option for engineering technicians. This makes them a qualified engineering technologist.
A Diploma in Engineering is not necessary to become a draughtsperson, but it is useful. To become a civil engineering draughtsperson, ideally you need experience in a specific CAD (computer-aided design) software.
Some companies offer cadetships, where you can train on the job and study part-time towards these diplomas.
WelTec website, information on cadetships in engineering: www.weltec.ac.nz/ABOUTWELTEC/TechnologyCadetships.aspx
Infratrain website, information on the National Diploma in Civil Engineering: www.infratrain.co.nz/Civil_engineering.htm
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) |
|---|
| $12,000 over two years |
Average costs in 2018 for a domestic student. Costs vary between institutions. First time students may be eligible for fees-free tertiary education for their first year of study, which will reduce the total cost. For more information about fees-free eligibility, go to feesfree.govt.nz. Some polytechnics may have a zero-fees scheme. Further costs include materials, textbooks, and accommodation.Rents vary from place to place. Estimated market rents by region, city and suburb are available on the MBIE Tenancy Services website.
The StudyLink website provides general budget advice for students, and the Sorted website provides help with detailed budget planning.
Tenancy Services: www.tenancy.govt.nz/rent-bond-and-bills
StudyLink: www.studylink.govt.nz
Sorted: www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/money-planner
Engineering technicians can be registered as Certified Engineering Technicians (CertETn) through the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ). This certification requires demonstrating competence to the required standard (to gain entry to the register); undertaking competence assessments at regular intervals (not exceeding six years); and complying with a Code of Ethical Conduct (to retain registration).
IPENZ: information on becoming a Certified Engineering Technician: https://www.ipenz.nz/home/development-registration/registration/certified-engineering-technician
The number of students completing a New Zealand Diploma in Civil Engineering has been steady since 2012. Electrical and electronic engineering has remained the most popular engineering discipline in recent years.
Qualification completions chart
Source: Ministry of Education
In 2017, the average income for engineering draftspersons and technicians was estimated to be around $66,500.
| Estimated Average Income |
|---|
| $66,500 |
Source: MBIE estimates based on Statistics NZ Census and Labour Cost Index
Income for an engineering technician depends on where they work and how much experience they have:
Civil engineering technicians’ employment
| Historic | Projected Growth | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2013 | 2021 | 2026 |
| 13,716 | 13,893 |
19,369 |
21,320 |
| 0.2% | 3.2% | 1.9% | |
Source: Statistics NZ Census and MBIE projections. Percentages are compound annual growth rates.
*Growth projections are for the category “Building and Engineering Technicians”.
The number of engineering technicians has increased slightly in recent years, and is expected to grow by 3.2% until 2021. Out to 2026 the growth rate will slow down.
Employment chart
Source: Statistics NZ Census and MBIE projections
| Overseas | In further study | Receiving a benefit | In employment | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14% | 5% | 0% | 85% | $65,000 |
Source: Tertiary Education Commission
*Three years after completion of L5 or 6 Diploma - Civil Engineering.
Most graduates were either in employment three years after completing a Level 5 or 6 Diploma in Civil Engineering. Some were overseas, and a few in further study. The median salary was around $65,000.
Many types of engineering technicians and related roles appear on Immigration New Zealand’s skill shortage lists. For example, civil engineering technicians and electrical engineering technicians are on the long term skill shortage lists. Electronic engineering technicians are also on the long term skill shortage list. For further details see the skill shortage lists on Immigration New Zealand’s website.
Immigration NZ, skill shortage list: skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz
Online vacancies for civil engineering draftspersons and technicians grew more quickly than the average for all occupations from 2011 to 2017. Other types of engineering technicians have also seen an increase in job ads over this period, although not as large as civil engineering technicians.
Jobs advertised chart
Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Engineering technician vacancies are advertised through public media such as the Trade Me Jobs and Seek websites, as well as the IPENZ JobHunt website.
Trade Me Jobs: www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
Seek: www.seek.co.nz
IPENZ JobHunt: www.jobhunt.co.nz
A common career pathway is to gain employment with a company that offers cadetships to young men or women wishing to become engineering technicians. Cadets complete their diploma while working in industry. Once cadets have finished their tertiary qualification they are often promoted into higher-level full-time positions within the company.
Cadetships are offered by a variety of organisations including engineering and construction companies, local authorities and utility companies.
Engineering technicians can progress within an engineering firm up to partner level. Some become engineering technologists by completing a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) degree or professional engineers by completing a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
The following occupations are related roles or alternative titles. Some of the roles may require a higher level of skill than entry level engineering technicians.
More information on engineering technicians is available on the Careers New Zealand website and through the "Just the Job" videos.
Careers New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz
Just the Job video clip: A Career in Civil Construction
Just the Job video clip: A Career in Civil Construction
Just the Job video clip: A Career as a Civil Engineering Technician
Just the Job video clip: A Career as a Civil Laboratory Technician (JTS52010)
The Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the official classification of occupations in New Zealand.
The occupation of engineering technicians has been coded to the following ANZSCO codes for the purpose of this report:
312 – Building and Engineering Technicians
231212 – Ship's Engineer