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New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 4)

Level 4

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Are you an apprentice in automotive engineering, wanting a qualification that’s nationally recognised? UCOL’s New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering Level 4 is designed for learners like you, so you can learn while you’re working.

Students and lecturer in UCOL's training workshop.
Quick info

Level: 4

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 3 year, 52 weeks each year, Part-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
Feb 2023: Date TBC
(Call 0800 468 265 or register your interest  http://www.ucol.ac.nz/contact-us)

Domestic Fees: *
$1224.38 (2022 fees)Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
Please enquire for details

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

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The New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering Level 4 is built for passionate car enthusiasts who are currently employed in a workshop. In this programme, you will learn various topics on workspace safety and major automobile systems. This will enable you to safely, effectively diagnose and repair common faults in cars, light commercial vehicles, and light trailers, without supervision.

This programme uses blended delivery – combining in person, online, and in-work learning. You will carry out all the practical work at your place of work, with lecturers visiting and assisting you regularly.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

The New Zealand Government COVID-19 Mandate Order requires the following workers to be vaccinated: 

  • health and disability sector workers
  • prison staff
  • border and MIQ workers.

As well as that, private companies and organisations have the right to require staff to be vaccinated.

Therefore, to go on placement or an internship that is a part of your programme, you must meet COVID-19 vaccination requirements. You can see more information on UCOL's Covid-19 page and on the Unite Against Covid-19 website.

 Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 52 weeks each year, including 4 holiday weeks, for 3 years.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time
9 hrs

In-person, online and in-work learning, plus block courses at UCOL.
Timetable set by your lecturer.
Work Time

Full-time and Part-time employment a light automotive engineering workshop.
You will complete practical hours within your working hours.
Study Time
5 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time, or possibly by paper. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

 Career & Study Outcomes

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to monitor your workplace, respond to issues, and carry out a variety of diagnoses and repairs on light vehicles.

The New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering Level 4 programme leads to New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering Level 5.

Or, you will be ready to succeed in any light automotive engineering shop.

 Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

This programme consist of 200 credits. The courses includes;

Effective Workplace Maintenance and Safety (15 Credits)
Students will be able to monitor the automotive workplace and respond to issues as required to maintain a safe and effective workplace. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Monitor the workplace to ensure safety practices are consistently applied.
  • Participate in the implementation of workplace effectiveness strategies.
  • Identify and respond to issues to maintain a safe and effective workplace.
High Risk Automotive Systems Safety (10 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their understanding of relevant precautionary measures when servicing and repairing high risk light automotive systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Apply relevant precautionary measures when working on high voltage systems.
  • Apply relevant precautionary measures while working on high pressure fuel systems.
  • Apply relevant precautionary measures when recovering vehicles.
Engine Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair common engine system faults. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in engine systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in forced air induction systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in engine management systems.
Fuel and Emission Systems (10 Credits)
Students will  acquire the skill set necessary to diagnose and repair common fuel and emission system faults. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in fuel systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in emissions systems.
Driveline Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair common driveline faults. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in 2WD drivelines.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in AWD driveline.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in 4WD drivelines.
Transmission Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair faults common to transmission systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in clutches and manual transmissions.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in CVT transmissions.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in automatic transmissions.
Climate Control (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair faults common to climate control systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults to AC systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in climate control systems.
Vehicle Safety Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn  to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair common faults found in vehicle safety systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in supplementary restraint systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in electronic stability control systems.
Body Control Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair faults common to body control systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in security systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in infotainment systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in body control communication systems.
Wiring Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair common faults found in wiring systems (including soldering), and in starting and charging systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Use a wiring diagram to diagnose and repair faults in wiring systems.
  • Carry out soldering repairs to a wiring system.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in starting and charging systems.
Braking Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair common light vehicle braking system faults. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults to mechanical braking systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults to hydraulic braking systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults to electronic braking systems.
Suspension Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply knowledge to monitor the automotive workplace and respond to issues as required to maintain a safe and effective workplace. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults in non‐independent suspension systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in independent suspension systems.
Steering Systems (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to complete wheel alignment work and diagnose and repair faults common to steering systems. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Carry out four-wheel alignment and report on the condition.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in hydraulic power-assisted steering systems.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in electric steering systems.
Wheels & Tyres (15 Credits)
Students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose and repair the common wheel and tyre faults, identify tyre rejection reasons, and carry out tyre replacements to industry compliant standards. After this course, you will be able to:
  • Diagnose and repair faults to wheels and tyres.
  • Replace tyres according to the New Zealand tyre standards.
  • Identify VIRM reasons for rejection of tyres during the inspection.

 Domestic Entry Requirements

To be eligible for entry to the programme, applicants must hold the following:

New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)
OR
equivalent skills and experience
OR
on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean
AND
must be currently employed in a light automotive engineering workshop (and for the duration of this programme).

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS or equivalent, including TOEFL. Contact the info centre for more details. UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see UCOL's NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

This programme is not currently available to international students.

 Advice & Guidance

As UCOL becomes

As UCOL becomes Te Pūkenga on 1 January 2023, learners enrolling in a programme that is likely to continue into semester 1 2023 or starting in semester 1 2023 will become Te Pūkenga learners. They will receive their qualification from Te Pūkenga on completion.

It’s recommended you have earned a Class 1 licence before completion of a programme leading to this qualification.

Students need to be aware of the physical demands required for this career pathway. Students will be advised to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the Programme Leader before the programme begins.

Student must be in employment in light automotive engineering for the duration of this programme.

Students need to supply their own steel cap boots, overalls, basic toolkit, and external storage device.

Work Experience
This programme is delivered as a Managed Apprentice programme and therefore all practical work will be carried out in the student’s place of employment. 

The students will be visited on a regular basis by automotive lecturers from UCOL. 


Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the appropriate form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

  • National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
  • Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
  • Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
  • Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Blended Delivery
This programme uses blended delivery – combining in person, online, and in-work learning. Please contact the programme leader for more details.

 Additional Costs

TBC

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989, and Universal College of Learning (UCOL) Trading as Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is accredited to teach it.

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