National Certificate in Motor Industry

The course

The Unitec National Certificate in Motor Industry (entry to automotive trades) is a 17-week pre-apprenticeship course to prepare students for an apprenticeship in an automotive garage or continue into Unitec's degree in applied technology. The course can be done full time or part time over a year, with students attending two or three evening classes a week.

The level-two certificate covers the fundamental knowledge and skills required to start in the automotive industry, including vehicle technology, engines, transmissions, electrical, safety and workshop engineering.

Trainees are required to reach a certain skill level in 27 units to gain their 84 credits to set them up with the knowledge and confidence to tackle an apprenticeship in any aspect of the motor industry trade.

The course is 75 to 85 per cent practical with sessions designed so theory is taught alongside the practical components at the Unitec's own workshops. Trainees attend Unitec four days a week, spending the other day in the working world at a garage workshop. Unitec's industry liaison tutor will help trainees find work experience if they are unable to find it themselves, but trainees are expected to approach at least three garages before asking for Unitec's help.

The course costs about $3900.

What graduates think

Jimmy Wong, 18
Pre-apprentice
Barry Clarke Automotive (Glen Eden branch)
Completed course November 2004

I've always liked cars. I'm into motor sports, rallies, that kind of thing, so I decided to do a course at the end of 6th form (year 12) because I was keen to get a mechanic apprenticeship.

The course was good because it touched on a bit of everything which meant that when I started doing work experience at Barry Clarke Automotive I had some idea what to do with the tools and in a workshop. Unitec has specialist spaces set up for different subjects so you get to actually do the things you're learning about. You work on real car problems. Unitec advertise that the course is 80 per cent practical and I think they achieve that, which is great.

I found information stayed in my mind in class because I was putting theory into practice all the time and I found that really helped my learning. It was much better than school because of that.

I had to find work experience for 200 hours during the course so I rang and asked Barry early last year if I could work in his workshop.

I went there every Monday. It is a big step to go into the workshop. It felt strange at first but after a couple of weeks I got used to going there. The work experience was really good because I was learning things that weren't covered in the course.

And at the end of my work experience Barry offered me an apprenticeship which was really great, particularly as Barry will pay for that. It is great. Cars, cars, cars - that's me.

What employers think

Barry Clarke
Owner of Barry Clarke Automotive
Ponsonby and Glen Eden, Auckland

There are real advantages with taking someone like Jimmy from a pre-trade course.

He has already covered the generic modules such as health and safety in the workplace, which makes a big difference.

He also has a basic understanding of the mechanical operations of motor vehicles and he has got into the work ethic of getting out of bed and turning up to work. Silly as it sounds, it doesn't happen often enough with young people.

Having a student come in regularly on work experience also gives an employer like me the chance to see their attitude and interest in cars.

It is very important the guys are real petrolheads because then they're keen to learn and are into everything and wanting more and more.

Some pre-trade courses in the past didn't give their students enough exposure to workshops, which meant they weren't up to speed on the practical when they came to work.

Unitec's course is good because they have the workplace time built in.

The Qualification

National Certificate in Motor Industry (entry to automotive trades)
Unitec
Phone: 0800 10 95 10 or 8154321, ext 8713
Starting wages: Apprentices with pre-apprenticeship course earn $8.50 to $12 an hour.