Search Courses

This course is available as an apprenticeship.

You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship.

An apprenticeship involves full time work with an employer who provides an opportunity to learn all aspects of a trade. This is a structured program for a fixed period of time and while you learn on the job, you also attend off the job training at SM TAFE.

Some of the benefits of an Apprenticeship are that you can:

• earn a wage while you train
• learn on the job skills combined with off the job training
• receive a nationally recognised qualification on successful completion
• start a valuable step towards a rewarding career path

Apprentices must have a Registered Training Agreement with their employer

This course is available as an apprenticeship.

You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship.

An apprenticeship involves full time work with an employer who provides an opportunity to learn all aspects of a trade. This is a structured program for a fixed period of time and while you learn on the job, you also attend off the job training at SM TAFE.

Some of the benefits of an Apprenticeship are that you can:

• earn a wage while you train
• learn on the job skills combined with off the job training
• receive a nationally recognised qualification on successful completion
• start a valuable step towards a rewarding career path

Have a demonstrated capacity in reading ,writing, numeracy, oracy and learning to level 2 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), Year 10 level of maths and english preferred

To study this course you must have the following pre-requisites:

• trade certificate (Automotive)
• current automotive apprentice (at least third year)
• you must obtain a Classroom (CL000) OR Trainee (TL000) Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Trainee Licence through the Australian Refrigeration Council before you can attend workshop training at SM TAFE. Please allow up to seven days to obtain this. More information can be found at www.arctick.org

Two types of trainee licence are available:

• Trainee (TL000 Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Trainee License)
  For supervised handling of refrigerant in workplace and classroom, this license is preferred. The supervisor must be the holder of a licence that entitles them to engage in work for which the licensee is being trained.
• Trainee classroom (CL000 Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Trainee License - Classroom)
  For handling of refrigeration in classroom only. The licensee cannot handle refrigerant outside the classroom setting. This license type requires a signed Trainers Declaration received after enrolment and payment.

This course is Competitive at selected campuses and further Entrance Requirements may apply.

For this programme, you will need the following:

1. Completed the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3); or

2. Demonstrate the equivalent skills and you must be an apprentice electrical mechanic or working in an approved automotive premises. Find out more about automotive work placement learning here

3. If English is not your first language, you need one or more of the following:

• Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance
• Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
• Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

Don't have NCEA? We also accept:

• Be 20 years or older before the start of the programme
• Provide sufficient evidence of aptitude, appropriate work or other life experience as approved by the Academic Leader
• Entry by Discretionary Admission

For more information download the programme regulations:

Programme Regulations

What you will need to study this programme.

You must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme's commencement for the semester, and you'll need to:

• NCEA Level 1 in Mathematics, English, and Physics or General Science; Or
• Equivalent.
• And have the necessary English language proficiency, a minimum of NCEA (Level 1) English or have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years.

Don't meet these Academic requirements?

• If you don't meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify.
• You may also be eligible for special or discretionary admission.

Simply apply online, and we'll be in touch about your next steps.

For more information download the full programme regulations, click here to download

As a part of this requirement, you must meet at least 16 years of age and meet one of the below;

• All applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement;
• And English entry requirements;
  • If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:
    • Evidence of an overall IELTS (General or Academic) band score of at least 5 in each band; Or
    • Equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students

Don't meet these Academic requirements?

If you don't meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes and a range of English Language programmes can help you qualify.

For more information download the full programme regulations, click here to download

Programme Regulations

Completion of the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course.

There are no other entry requirements.

It is highly recommended that students have attained a Sound Achievement (SA) result in year 10 numeracy and literacy subjects or equivalent prior to enrolling in this course.