General engineering

Nationally recognised training for the technicians who install and maintain the milking, water, and effluent systems New Zealand's dairy industry depends on.

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications — tailored to your business's specific needs.

5,672
Apprentices trained
Level 4
National qualification

The general engineering programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines practical workplace learning with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to build, maintain, and repair a wide array of machinery and equipment using fitting, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding—meeting industry standards  across diverse mechanical contexts. Training also covers health and safety legislation, interpreting drawings and specifications, engineering problem-solving, quality systems, and effective communication within teams and workplaces.

Benefits of the programme

  • Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
  • A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
  • Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses
  • Build skills to build, maintain, and repair machinery using fitting, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding
  • Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

How we work with you

We partner with members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers in your industry, identifying potential learners, and encouraging work placements.

We also ensure your industry’s qualifications continue to meet needs, support industry events like conferences, and regularly celebrate your learners’ success.

When apprentices enrol, we assign them a Competenz account manager. Our account managers understand the industry and the skills learners and businesses need to gain.

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice

Use this form to register with Competenz. We’ll get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.

Get started →
Onboarding guides

Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays — your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how to help your apprentice succeed.

Onboarding guides →
See your business impact

View the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. The lasting value of investing in your workforce.

ROI Calculator →

The dairy industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled technicians. Training your own people is the most reliable way to build capability that actually stays.

Competenz Training Advisor — Dairy Systems, Waikato region

You run the operation. We handle the training architecture.

What is general engineering?

General engineers are hands-on problem solvers. They work with tools, machinery, and equipment to make, fix, and improve things in real workplaces. You’ll build broad skills in welding, fabrication, machining, and fitting.The work can include assembling parts, working in a machine shop, maintaining and repairing equipment, and helping manufacture all kinds of machines,including hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Is this right for you?

Do you:

  • Enjoy working with tools, machinery, or technology
  • Want to learn through hands-on experience
  • Are comfortable following instructions and working safely.

If practical work and problem-solving sound like you, general engineering could be a great fit.

What a typical day could look like

Sounds like you?

If you’re practical, curious about how things work, and comfortable in both workshops and outdoors — this is worth reading.

Study areas that help

  • English or Media or History
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies
  • Computing/ICT/Information Management.

Helpful experience

  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with machinery
  • Working with computers.

Work environments

  • Inside (workshop or plant)
  • Outside (outdoors)
  • Different places from time to time.

Good to have

Problem-solving mindset

  • Reasonable strength and fitness
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good work habits/time management.

Career pathway

The apprenticeship is the foundation — not the ceiling.

School

Getting ready

These can be useful from school:

Ideally NCEA Level 2 in:

  • Maths
  • Science (physics)
  • Technology (metal work)
  • English

Entry level

Apprenticeship

  • General Engineer

Advancing

Higher learning

  • Specialist Engineer
  • Engineering Supervisor
  • Leading Hand
  • Workshop Supervisor
  • Welding Supervisor

Senior

Higher learning

  • Foreman
  • Site Supervisor
  • Business Manager
  • Business Owner

Common questions

How do I set up my account for Competenz Central?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I’m an international student - can I do an apprenticeship or traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need a visa or work permit?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How old do I need to be?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How long is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How much does an apprenticeship/traineeship cost?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I have a job, what do I do next?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need to be employed to be an apprentice/trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What experience do I need to do an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be a trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be an apprentice?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Who is Competenz?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

General engineering

The general engineering programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines practical workplace learning with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to build, maintain, and repair a wide array of machinery and equipment using fitting, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding—meeting industry standards  across diverse mechanical contexts. Training also covers health and safety legislation, interpreting drawings and specifications, engineering problem-solving, quality systems, and effective communication within teams and workplaces.

Benefits of the programme

  • Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
  • A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
  • Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses
  • Build skills to build, maintain, and repair machinery using fitting, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding
  • Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your business' specific needs.

How we work with you

We work with industry experts to develop nationally recognised qualifications, mapping the skills needed and registering them with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Our team develop training plans to make it easy for you to grow your employee’s skills and productivity.

Once your learner/s are signed into a training plan, you will be assigned a Competenz account manager who will:

  • Visit your business and your apprentices regularly throughout the year
  • Structure training into manageable chunks of learning
  • Set deadlines with apprentices to complete assessments (in full consultation with employers)
  • Co-ordinate access to online learning and arrange block courses
  • Assist apprentices to successfully complete their training programme.

As an employer, you need to become familiar with your apprentice’s training programme and targets, and provide them with plenty of opportunities to develop and practise the required skills.

Industry connections

We partner with industry associations and members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This includes promoting careers, identifying potential learners and encouraging work placements.

We also support industry events like conferences, competitions and graduations, and regularly celebrate your learners’ success.

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice
Use this form to register with Competenz. We'll use this form to get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.
Onboarding guides
Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays. These guides explain your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how you can help your apprentice succeed.
See your business impact
Use this calculator to view the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. It’s designed to show the lasting value of investing in your workforce.

Ready to get started?

What is general engineering?

General engineers are hands-on problem solvers. They work with tools, machinery, and equipment to make, fix, and improve things in real workplaces. You’ll build broad skills in welding, fabrication, machining, and fitting.The work can include assembling parts, working in a machine shop, maintaining and repairing equipment, and helping manufacture all kinds of machines,including hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Is this right for you?

Do you:

  • Enjoy working with tools, machinery, or technology
  • Want to learn through hands-on experience
  • Are comfortable following instructions and working safely.

If practical work and problem-solving sound like you, general engineering could be a great fit.

What a typical day could look like

Sounds like you?

Study areas
  • English or Media or History
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies
  • Computing/ICT/Information Management.

Attributes
  • Reasonable strength and fitness
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good work habits/time management.

Helpful experience
  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with machinery
  • Working with computers.

Preferred work environments
  • Inside (workshop or plant)
  • Outside (outdoors)
  • Different places from time to time.

Pathway

School

These can be useful from school:

Ideally NCEA Level 2 in:

  • Maths
  • Science (physics)
  • Technology (metal work)
  • English
Entry level jobs

Apprenticeship

  • General Engineer
Advancing jobs

Higher learning

  • Specialist Engineer
  • Engineering Supervisor
  • Leading Hand
  • Workshop Supervisor
  • Welding Supervisor
Senior jobs

Higher learning

  • Foreman
  • Site Supervisor
  • Business Manager
  • Business Owner

FAQs

Related FAQs

Ready to get Started?