Engineering a future

How many engineering graduates, and in what areas, does New Zealand need? Are our institutions providing the right programmes of study to meet this need? These questions are being tackled by major participants and stakeholders in the New Zealand engineering education sector.

"We're working towards a National Engineering Education Plan. We want to ensure the right number of the right type of graduates and that the right programmes of study are available," says Tim Davin, Director-Policy, of the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ (IPENZ).

The first step has been to agree with key stakeholders in industry and tertiary providers career progression models for graduates of levels 6, 7 and 8 engineering qualifications (diplomas, bachelors degrees, postgraduate study) and for people with related trades qualifications. Both models show two areas of progression: technical deepening of knowledge and skills gained from higher engineering qualifications; and the leadership/management pathway where engineers progress from independent practice to managing others' work and possibly leading an organization.

Work is underway to review the graduate profiles for engineering qualifications at levels 6, 7 and 8. The four-year Bachelor of Engineering may eventually evolve to a five-year Masters degree if New Zealand follows international trends. Tertiary providers and industry training organizations (ITOs) have been involved in the redevelopment of the three-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology and two-year Diploma in Engineering.

"These should be provided nationally while ensuring coverage of regional needs and minimal duplication of the engineering disciplines. There may be nationally consistent entry requirements for the qualifications at the three levels and, within the ITP sector, shared provision of specialised subjects with students able to transfer between providers or use technology to access subjects that cannot be available in every region," Tim says.

Pathways from secondary school into engineering qualifications are also under review.

Tim comments that, "Students are not always prepared with the right subjects to enter engineering and related qualifications. All those involved (industry, ITOs, tertiary providers, teachers, principals, students) should understand which subjects in the technology learning area will provide pathways to careers in engineering, architecture, food and biotechnology, information and communication technology, agriculture and horticulture. Industry, ITOs and tertiary providers have been discussing this during May. Secondary schools will be consulted later."

Other work includes estimating (in conjunction with the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Education) the graduate numbers required for each type of qualification. At a later time, what prevents minority groups participating and succeeding in careers in engineering will be studied.

The National Engineering Education Plan will include a recommended framework for engineering programs at two-year Diploma; three-year Bachelor level; and professional qualifications at levels 8 or 9 for New Zealand tertiary providers delivering these qualifications

The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) is the lead national professional body representing the engineering profession in New Zealand.

NZCED is the NZ Council of Engineering Deans, for Universities offering four-year professional engineering qualifications.

CETTENZ is the Council for Engineering Technician and Technologist Education NZ, a bipartite council of the engineering Deans or Heads of Department from the ITP and University sector responsible for three-year degrees and two-year diplomas.

Industry Training Organisations in the relevant disciplines.