Otago Polytechnic’s Infrastructure Asset Management apprenticeship pathway was a first in New Zealand, allowing learners to earn a degree remotely while working full time and progressing towards becoming a Chartered Engineer.

The pathway was launched in 2021 and was developed in partnership with industry to help combat a critical future skills shortage in that area. Students gain experience in industry projects within their chosen specialty - Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. 

Hana Cadzow, Principal Lecturer in Engineering Technology, says the degree apprenticeship model solves a major problem for skilled professionals who lack formal qualifications but find traditional study models don’t fit their working lives.

Hana says learners work in a job that’s relevant to what they’re studying. They then undertake a mix of learning in an online (or classroom) environment, while also having their learning in the workplace environment assessed and recognised.

And she says industry are big supporters of these types of educational pathways.

“Traditionally if you’re in work and want to study, you have to take time out and go back to a learning in a face-to-face classroom environment.

“But with a degree apprenticeship, right from the start you're applying what you're learning into your workplace, and you're applying what you're learning from your job into the classroom.”

Many learners enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology programme have already spent a few years in study, to get their Diploma in Engineering.

“They’re settled into a really great job and have been in work for a number of years.

“However, they've realised they do actually want to get their Bachelor's degree, but don't want to stop being at work.

"They don't want to sacrifice salary. They've got families to support. They've got things to do.”

Hana says workplaces are also really keen to retain these employees in a strong job market, and see this pathway as a strong professional development option for their staff.

She admits it does take a commitment, with flexible pathways allowing learners to undertake studies for a minimum or 6 to 8 hours a week alongside their normal work.

But the work-while-you-learn engineering technology degree has been so successful, the programme is now expanding.

Otago Polytechnic plans to offer a new Graduate Diploma in Asset Management later in 2026, subject to external approval.

(The move to grow degree apprencticeship programmes in New Zealand was being led by the former Construction & Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCOVE), and other tertiary institutions across the country are also exploring potential qualifications to support these industries).

Similar study pathways are also on offer across Otago Polytechnic's range of programmes, with different balances in relation to the level of teacher-directed content and workplace content.

The Food Design Institute offers its Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Cookery (Level 4) programmes via a Work Integrated Learning model, allowing people to study while they’re still working full time in the hospitality industry.

And the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy programme is delivered via a Work Augmented Learning option to people working in a health or wellbeing role, through campuses in Northland (Whangārei, Ngāwhā, and Kaitaia), with plans to roll out the programme in Central Otago later in 2026.