With engineering graduates in hot demand around Aotearoa, WelTec is offering its engineering diploma free-of-charge.
Chief executive of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Patrick McKibbin, says that the main concern for industries currently is worker shortages.
“The shortage of talent is the number one conversation we are having with businesses right now, including engineering firms. We support initiatives such as WelTec’s engineering programme which provides much needed skilled staff to support employers in our region.”
And in 2021, the chamber identified that 66% of businesses in the Hutt Valley expect it to get harder to get skilled or specialis employees.
Enter WelTec. The institution’s free New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) is providing work-ready graduates to resource local infrastructure projects.
“Our country has a strong infrastructure development pipeline and a desperate need for engineers,” says Mary-Claire Proctor, WelTec’s head of school of innovation, design and technology.
“WelTec has a well-established programme with links to employers making the job opportunities for graduates strong and diverse.”
Recent graduate of the free diploma, made possible through the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund, Tim Tarbotton is employing specialist skills he learned in hydrology and wastewater to assess the aftermath of flooding in rural Canterbury as part of his job at Tarbotton land and Civil in Ashburton.
Tarbotton says he learned everything handson at WelTec, and has been satisfying to now put his learnings into practice for his employment.
“I loved the smaller class sizes and access to tutors. Tutors really got to know us individually which made up comfortable to ask questions and engage.”