New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 4) (Road Transport) or (Plant and Equipment)

Continue developing your career in the automotive industry by learning how to safely and effectively diagnose and repair faults that are commonly encountered on heavy vehicles. This programme is ideal for learners who are starting, or already doing, an apprenticeship in the workplace.

Domestic

Duration
4 Years Part-time
Level
4
Credits
240
Fees
$1,675
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
Studied alongside an apprenticeship
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
Flexible

International

Level
4
Credits
240
Fees
0
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee

What You Study

Road Transport courses

Course name (you will need to complete all of these courses) Credits
Effective Workplace Maintenance and Safety
  • 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
 15 

Multi-Cylinder Diesel Engines

  • Service and repair 4 stroke multi-cylinder diesel engines 
  • Test and tune a 4 stroke multi-cylinder diesel engine 
  • Service and repair heavy vehicle cooling systems 
 20

Diesel Engine Intake and Exhaust Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • intake and intercooler systems 
    • exhaust and turbocharging systems 
    • exhaust and engine brakes 
  • Apply high risk precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of intake and exhaust systems
 15 

Diesel Fuel Injection Systems

  • Service and repair
    • common rail or unit injection systems 
    • pre-heating systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of fuel systems 
 15 

Diesel Engine Emission Control Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • exhaust gas recirculation systems 
    • diesel exhaust selective catalyst reduction systems 
    • diesel exhaust particulate filtration systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of emission systems 
 15 

CoF Inspections and Vehicle Recovery 

  • Complete service and repairs to meet the Certificate of Fitness (CoF) inspection standards
  • Recover heavy vehicle on road vehicles by flat towing or lifting 
  10

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Clutches and Transmissions

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road drivelines 
    • heavy vehicle on-road final drives 
    • heavy vehicle on-road axle hub assemblies 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of driveline systems
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Drivelines and Final Drive Assemblies

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road drivelines 
    • heavy vehicle on-road final drives 
    • heavy vehicle on-road axle hub assemblies 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of driveline systems 
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Suspension and Chassis Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road suspension systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road chassis systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road 5th wheel and rigid drawbar towing systems
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of suspension and chassis systems 
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Steering Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road single and multi-axle steering systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road wheels and tyres
    • heavy vehicle on-road hydraulic systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of steering systems 
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Starting, Charging and Lighting Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle starting systems 
    • heavy vehicle charging systems 
    • heavy vehicle lighting systems
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Foundation Brake Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road pneumatic over hydraulic brake systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road hydraulic brake systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of foundation braking systems
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Pneumatic Brake Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road pneumatic truck braking systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road pneumatic trailer braking systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of pneumatic braking systems 
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Electronic Brake and Stability Control Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road electronics brake control systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road electronically-controlled stability control systems 
  15

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Cab and Body Control Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle on-road cab safety systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road cab comfort systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road cab driver control systems 
    • heavy vehicle on-road body control systems 
 15 

Heavy Vehicle On-Road Telematics and Hybrid Systems

  • Describe the process to diagnose and repair heavy vehicle on-road telematic systems and high voltage systems
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of high voltage systems
  15

Plant and Equipment courses

Course name (you will need to complete all of these courses) Credits

Effective Workplace Maintenance and Safety

  • 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
 15 

Multi-Cylinder Diesel Engines

  • Service and repair 4 stroke multi-cylinder diesel engines 
  • Test and tune a 4 stroke multi-cylinder diesel engine 
  • Service and repair heavy vehicle cooling systems 
 20

Diesel Engine Intake and Exhaust Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • intake and intercooler systems 
    • exhaust and turbocharging systems 
    • exhaust and engine brakes 
  • Apply high risk precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of intake and exhaust systems
  15

Diesel Fuel Injection Systems

  • Service and repair
    • common rail or unit injection systems 
    • pre-heating systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of fuel systems
  15

Diesel Engine Emission Control Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • exhaust gas recirculation systems 
    • diesel exhaust selective catalyst reduction systems 
    • diesel exhaust particulate filtration systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of emission systems 
 15 

Plant and Equipment Safety Inspections and Vehicle Recovery

  • Complete service and repairs to meet safety inspection standards
  • Demonstrate knowledge of plant and equipment machinery by flat towing or lifting
  10

Plant and Equipment Clutches and Transmissions

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle plant and equipment clutches 
    • heavy vehicle plant and equipment transmissions 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of clutch and transmission systems 
 15 

Plant and Equipment Drivelines and Final Drive Assemblies

  • Service and repair 
    • heavy vehicle plant and equipment mechanical drivelines 
    • heavy vehicle plant and equipment mechanical final drives 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of driveline systems 
  15

Plant and Equipment Hydraulic Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • hydraulic pump systems on heavy vehicle plant and equipment 
    • hydraulic control and delivery systems on heavy vehicle plant and equipment 
    • hydraulic actuator and drive systems on heavy vehicle plant and equipment 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of suspension and chassis systems
  20

Plant and Equipment Suspension, Chassis and Track Drive Undercarriage Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • plant and equipment suspension and chassis systems 
    • plant and equipment track drive undercarriage systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of suspension and chassis systems 
  15

Plant and Equipment Steering Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • plant and equipment single and/or multi-axle steering systems 
    • plant and equipment on tracks and tyres 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of steering systems 
  15

Plant and Equipment Starting, Charging and Lighting Systems 

  • Service and repair 
    • plant and equipment starting systems 
    • plant and equipment charging systems 
    • plant and equipment lighting systems 
  15

Plant and Equipment Brake Systems

  • Service and repair 
    • plant and equipment pneumatic brake systems 
    • plant and equipment hydraulic brake systems 
  • Apply precautionary measures to servicing and repairs of foundation braking systems
  15

Plant and Equipment Attached Equipment 

  • Service and repair plant and equipment attached, equipment couplings and controls 
  • Apply precautionary measures to fitment and removal of attached/auxillary equipment for service or repair
  15

Plant and Equipment Machine Electronic Control Systems and Electronic Safety Systems

  • Service and repair
    • plant and equipment safety and operator protection systems 
    • plant and equipment cab comfort systems 
    • plant and equipment electronic control systems for machine operation
  15

Plant and Equipment Onboard Network Systems, Telematics and Autonomous Machine Operation

  • Demonstrate knowledge of onboard network systems 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of automated machine, telematics and autonomous machine operation
 15 

Workload

Your workload

You will be required to attend a weekly night class and additional one-week block courses. You'll do approximately six hours per week of directed study (outside of your employment commitments).

Entry

Entry requirements

  • Level 3 Automotive Engineering qualification (such as the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)) OR evidence of equivalent skills and knowledge.
  • You must be employed in a heavy automotive engineering workplace which is operating at a commercially-acceptable industry standard.
  • You, your employer and Otago Polytechnic must enter into a training agreement.
  • You must hold a current workplace First Aid certificate (prior to enrolment).
  • You must achieve a Class 4 Licence before your programme ends.

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Please note this programme isn't available to international students.

Selection criteria 

Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis until the programme has reached full capacity. 

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$1,675

Funding help

As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional costs or living costs. But, some help may be possible depending on your circumstances. Check the Studylink website for more information. 

If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz 

You may be eligible to access additional tuition fee support through the Government's Fees Free scheme. See Paying for your study section below.

Additional costs

Safety equipment and clothing (may be supplied by your employer).

You need to buy all of your textbooks, stationery, tools.

Textbooks

(Optional - online digital access will be provided while studying)

  • CDX Fundamentals of Automotive Technology (ISBN: 978-1-284-10689-3)
  • CDX Medium and Heavy Duty Diesel Engines (ISBN: 978-1-284-06705-7)
  • CDX Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle Systems (ISBN: 978-1-284-04116-3)
  • CDX Mobile Heavy Equipment  (ISBN: 978-1-284-11291-7)
Stationery

(Compulsory)

  • 1 x calculator
  • Pens/pencils/eraser etc. 
  • 8 GB flash drive
Smart device

(Recommended)

  • Laptop, cellphone or tablet which is Wifi capable, able to take photos and use Windows 365 applications.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Student Services Fee

For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.

Application

How to apply 

If you'd like to apply for this programme, please email EngTrades@op.ac.nz and we'll guide you through the application process.

Due to this being studied alongside an apprenticeship, the process is a little different to our standard programmes.

Need more info?

If you'd like to chat about this study option before applying, please email EngTrades@op.ac.nz

Or, you can get in touch with the Programme Leader, Hamish - hamish.miller@op.ac.nz  | 03 4796115

A change for 2023 enrolments

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/new-zealand-certificate-in-heavy-automotive-engineering-level-4-road-transport-or-plant-and-equipment