Learning and working in the manufacturing, engineering and logistics industries

Find out about standards, opportunities and careers

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What's the work like?

What kinds of careers are found along this pathway?

There is a great mix of roles across this sector, with something to suit many working styles and interests.

You will often be working as part of team. You could be working in a range of environments such as on the roads or water, in the office, or in a factory, warehouse, or people’s homes and farms.

Having a good eye for detail, as well as technical and practical skills, will help you progress in this industry.

Examples of careers in this pathway include:

Manufacturing

Alcohol manufacturing (excluding wine), aluminium joinery, apparel, automotive parts and wholesaling, baking, binding and finishing, boat building and maintenance, chemical manufacturing, dairy processing, direct mail production, energy and chemical plant operations, fibreboard and paper packaging, food and beverage manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, glass processing, industrial textiles, kitchen joinery, marine technology, meat processing, metal processing, motor vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceutical and medicinal product manufacturing, plastics, polymer, and rubber product manufacturing, primary processing support, print, pulp and paper, retail meat/butchery, signmaking, solid wood manufacturing, textiles, wood panel and plywood manufacturing.

Engineering

Automotive engineering, automotive reglazing, collision repair, composites technology, dairy systems engineering, engineering design and consulting services, engineering fabrication, extractives, fire protection, irrigation, laundry and dry-cleaning services, locksmithing, mechanical building services, mechanical engineering, motorcycle engineering, outdoor power equipment, refrigeration and airconditioning, welding.

Logistics

Air and space transport, commercial road transport, customs and freight support services, digital infrastructure, driving skills, forklift, maritime and marina operations, postal and courier services, rail transport, resource recovery and efficiency, road passenger services, stevedoring and ports, supply chain, warehousing and storage, water freight and passenger transport.

Where might you end up?

You’ll learn by doing, solving real problems by applying your skills and knowledge. You could start in an entry-level job or apprenticeship, or enter the industry after completing your degree, and work your way up to even owning your own company. You will also have a lot of flexibility to take the skills you gain into other jobs and industries should your interests or opportunities change.

What's great about this industry?

And why is it important to New Zealand?

Careers in manufacturing, engineering, and logistics are some of the most exciting, varied and rewarding. These jobs offer opportunities to make a practical difference to the world around you.

Industries in the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Logistics sector employ over 657,000 people in about 105,000 businesses that contribute $80 billion to Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy.

This is me. How do I follow this pathway?

Plan a course and track standards for careers in this sector.

You’ll need NCEA Level 2 for a good foundation for success in entry level jobs or apprenticeships. You may need to first get University Entrance for other jobs. Use the Profile Builder to see how well your subject selection helps prepare you with skills and knowledge valued by industries and employers in this sector.

To make the most of your opportunities, you will then need to complete qualifications by undertaking further study and training. Whether you can do this while working (for example, as an apprentice) or need to study on-campus will vary depending on exactly what career you choose to focus on.