New Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Works (Plant Operation) (Level 3)
If you're looking for an exciting career in the busy civil and infrastructure sector, Tai Poutini Polytechnic's Certificate in Civil Plant Operation will put you on the right path.
Domestic
About the programme
This digger and construction training programme is perfect for school-leavers or people with no prior experience in the industry. Known locally as the “Digger School” you will be equipped with practical experience on machinery, along with the necessary theory and industry contacts you’ll need to make it in these exciting and varied sectors. Once you set out in the industry, it’s up to you which path you decide to follow, from hands-on operations to management and even further study. The programme is also relevant for people already working in the construction, forestry or mining industries who want to up-skill and push their career to the next level.
You’ll work on earthmoving machinery and other machinery and plant to learn the basics of operating safely. Our skilled and diverse tutors are dedicated to delivering expert training in Civil Plant Operations, with students having access to unrivalled technical expertise in project management capabilities and quality assurance skills needed to build better communities and a better New Zealand.
What You Study
Core Elements
At Level 2:
- Understand the civil infrastructure industry in New Zealand.
At Level 3:
- Communicate appropriately with the public, colleagues, and site supervisors, including following and giving instructions.
- Work effectively and safely, across a range of roles and on a range of infrastructure works sites including those under Temporary Traffic Management.
- Carry out basic infrastructure works activities including safely and effectively using a range hand tools and small infrastructure works plant and equipment.
- Understand and operate within quality and environmental requirements, quality assure their own work area and keep appropriate records for infrastructure works sites.
- Describe the materials used and requirements for infrastructure work, as well as carry out excavation and compaction in this area.
- Operate and maintain at least two types of large plant on infrastructure works sites.
- Operate and maintain at least one type of specialist large plant (e.g. hydraulic excavator) on infrastructure works sites.
- Legally operate at least one type of specialist plant on the road (hold the relevant licence endorsement).
Further study options
- New Zealand Certificate in Civil Infrastructure Trades (Civil Works) with strands in Earthworks, Road Construction, Concrete Works (Non-structural), and Road Maintenance Level 4
- New Zealand Certificate in Pipe Installations with strands in Trenched and Trenchless (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Bituminous Surfacing Construction with strands in Bituminous Mixes, Chipseal and Slurry (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Utilities Maintenance with strands in Water, and Wastewater and Stormwater (Level 4)
Career Opportunities
New Zealand's civil infrastructure industry is booming and there are plenty of job options for people with the right training and skills. Once you have completed the Certificate in Plant Operation (Specialist Large Plant), career opportunities exist across a huge range of sectors, including: infrastructure works companies, drain installation, water reticulation, machine operator, construction foreman, traffic management, truck driving, sealing crews, bridge building, maintenance crews, trenchless technology operator, road building, sub-division development, health and safety, and training.
Entry
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be at least 17 years of age.
- Hold a Class 1 restricted driver licence or better.
- Be able to demonstrate sufficient capability in English and maths to have a high likelihood of success in the programme. (Preferably have NCEA Level 1 L&N).
- Be physically fit and healthy.
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet IELTS (or equivalent) Level 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0.
Special Notes:
- Application outside the above requirements may be considered by the department Manager of Teaching and Learning.
- Minimum of restricted Class 1 (car) licence for applicants wanting to be assessed for W, T or R endorsement (wheels, trucks and rollers).
Application
Programme Questionnaire
This programmes requires a questionnaire to be submitted with your enrolment. Please view the questionnaire here. Complete the questions and return it with your enrolment form and any other supporting documents that are required.
2024 enrolments
When you apply to study with Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2024, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start from 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
You will be offered a place subject to meeting the entry and selection requirements and the availability of places on the programme. The Polytechnic reserves the right to not accept late applications, i.e., after the programme has started. The Polytechnic reserves the right to cancel, prior to commencement, any programme which does not attract a minimum number of students. The fees shown are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change. For further information visit here.
