Session 2B - Bill Sole - A unified system for engineering diplomas ...

A unified systemfor engineeringdiplomas- addressing the shortageof engineeringtechnicians in NewZealand industryBill Sole

New Zealand Diplomas(Civil, Electrical andMechanical Engineering)New Zealand Diploma inEngineering (NZDE)– launched February 2011New Zealand Diploma inEngineering Practice(NZDEP)– launched April 2012

Flexibility and innovation!! National Diploma in Engineering with strands in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineeringand Mechanical Services, and with an optional strand in Practical Endorsement! National Diploma in Engineering (Process and Materials Engineering)! National Diploma in Engineering (Electrotechnology)! National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied)! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - Waikato! New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - MIT! New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) – WITT! Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) - WITT! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - Unitec! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - CPIT! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - Northland! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - Otago! Diploma in Engineering (Civil) - Wellington! Diploma in Electrotechnology - CPIT! MIT Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering - MIT! Diploma in Mechanical Engineering - Otago! Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) - CPIT! Diploma in Engineering (Speciality) - AUT

What did students & industry think?IPENZ research in 2007 identified:! “confusing messaging and a lack ofnational consistency”! “a complex range of issues that extendsbeyond the traditional academic concernsof qualifications, curriculum and teaching”

The evidence! many secondary school students (andengineering students) had no idea whatkind of jobs they were being trained for! lack of understanding that engineeringtechnicians, technologists andprofessionals perform different roles! declining enrolments at Diploma level! some University graduates struggling toachieve professional recognition

The consequences! “we don’t employ diploma graduates anymorebecause we just don’t know what we’re getting”! “our management team travel to the UK everyyear to recruit new technicians”! “I tried to recruit a good technician with solidpractical experience, but gave up and employeda University graduate. They quit within fourmonths”! “we couldn’t find any good technicians to do thefield work, so we’re training up our administratoras she’s been around engineers for a few years”

NEEP Project! A collaborative venture between all majorstakeholders in engineering education! Funded by the Tertiary EducationCommission! Aim: to develop a coherent national plan toensure that the right number of the righttypes of engineering graduate is producedto meet New Zealand’s needs (Levels 6-8)

Demand and supply! Study by IPENZ / ACENZ / DoL! Ministry of Education data! OECD comparisons! Industry feedback! Final statement based on DoL work, butcomponent added for suppressed demandfor technicians (based on industryfeedback)

Development of a Unified System! September/October 2009 – agreement reachedon development of unified diploma system! November 2009 – development Lead Groupsformed (reporting to NEEP Governance Group)! December 2009 – April 2010 – governancestructure, qualification design, course descriptorsand external moderation system developed! May – June 2010 – national consultation! February 2011 – NZDE launched! April 2012 – NZDEP launched

Clear pathways, consistent messaging, internationalbenchmarking, clearer career progression, on-goingcollaboration, industry buy-in through shared ownership