Unitec campus set to open off Albany Highway

The new campus on Rothwell Avenue. Photo / Supplied

Unitec's new Albany campus will start holding classes next week, making vocational education an option for many North Shore residents, says chief executive Rick Ede.

Classes at the Albany campus will begin from August 1 after growing numbers left Unitec's Takapuna building overflowing.

The technology institute has shut the Hurstmere Rd office block campus and moved about 300 students north.

A shortage of vocational education on the North Shore and Rodney drove the move north and Ede said the Shore's population was expected to grow from about 329,000 to about 431,000 in 20 years.

"It's an area about the size of Christchurch without any access to vocational training. They have Massy University at Albany but we're focused on applied education for the workplace," he said.

"The new campus will make vocational education an option for many North Shore residents who will no longer have to spend hours commuting across the harbour bridge."

The northern campus at 10 Rothwell Ave off the Albany Highway is offering certificate programmes in autotronic, automotive and mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, building construction, information technology, animal care and healthcare, business services, foundation learning and English-language programmes.

Unitec has leased the Albany building for an initial five years with rights of renewal.