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Training
Skills Training, Research Initiative and Product Development at WITT and ICIARE
The main thrust for the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) and the International Centre for Innovation and Applied Research in Engineering (ICIARE) is the integration of skills training, research and development with the engineering industry of Taranaki and beyond. The capabilities of WITT as a centre or learning and research have been enhanced through the recent purchase of new machinery through the CApENZ Major Regional Initiative.
Click here to see Skills Training at WITT
Click here to see Research at ICIARE
Click here to see Materials Testing Laboratory
Click here to find out more about Competenz & Other Training Schemes
Skills Training at WITT:
WITT provides the engineering industry in and around Taranaki with skills training up to Level 4 in Mechanical Engineering and up to Level 6 in Electrotechnology. Students (whether school-leavers or people already in the workplace who want better skills and qualifications) initially enrol on a pre-trades course and then find an industrial company which runs an apprenticeship scheme. Belonging to an industrial company is necessary because training progresses in the workplace as well as in the classroom and WITT workshops. Specific courses run by WITT are:
- Certificate in Electrical Skills (Level 3)
- Certificate in Automotive Trades (Level 3)
- Certificate in Engineering Trades (Level 4)
- Certificate in Welding (Level 4)
- Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Level 4)
- Certificate in First Line Management
- Diploma in Industrial Electrotechnology (Level 6)
- Short Courses in Welding - Introductory, Improvers, Advanced
- Short Courses in AutoCAD - Level 1, Level 1 (Advanced), Level 2 - 3D
Research at ICIARE:
The applied research being done by the Centre will have its origins and roots from industry, with the object that the resources to carry out the research be sought from the best possible sources - either in New Zealand or from overseas. To this end collaboration is paramount, not only with industry but with other universities and research establishments in New Zealand. This is not only good modern research practice but it will also help to expand the research culture to WITT. The applied research centre is here to initiate, organise and follow through research contracts to completion. Five areas of expertise are opportune for Taranaki:
- Materials, Design and Testing
- Manufacturing and Automation
- Petrochemicals and Biotechnology
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Mechatronics and Control
The level and extent of research may be:
- Small projects to fulfil a student's course work
- 'Research Project' to complete a Certificate, Diploma or Degree (BTech or BEng)
- Masters Project
- Doctorate Project
- Consultancy Project
All research projects will have at least two supervisors, one from industry and one from a tertiary teaching institute (eg WITT, Auckland University, Waikato University, or AUT) or a research establishment (eg HERA, IRL or FRL). The industrial supervision is extremely important as this keeps the work focused on the industrial application. It should be noted that WITT does not award research degrees, hence our close contacts with the universities of the upper North Island.
Materials Test Laboratory at ICIARE:
The Accredited Test Laboratory is already used extensively by Taranaki's engineering industry, especially industry involved with welding and weld integrity. Laboratory equipment includes:
- Amsler Tension/Compression Testing Machine with Load and Extensometer Read-out
- Impact Testing Machine (Izod)
- Vickers Hardness Testing Machine with fixtures to take Hardness Profiles across weld sections, etc.
- Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine
- Metallurgical Sectioning, Polishing and Etching Equipment
- Metallurgical Microscopes
- Strain Gauging and Recording Amplifiers
Adjoining machine shops have all the necessary equipment to make test specimens to any ASTM Standard and to any original test geometry if required
For more information about WITT click here
Competenz & Other Training Schemes:
Having Ian Major within the CApENZ Operation Team is a key factor in the success of CApENZ to develop better skills and training for engineering sector in Taranaki. By working from within industry Ian can improve the facilitation of courses and the delivery of more industry specific training. Ian is the Regional Training Manager for Competenz, the New Zealand Independent Training Organisation (ITO) for the Engineering, Food and Manufacturing Industries. As the ITO for engineering, Competenz facilitate apprenticeships, health & safety and other training courses. Ian's other role, through Engineering Taranaki Consortium, is the delivery of the Modern Apprenticeship Training scheme for Taranaki.
For more information, click here to see Ian's contact details
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