Trades
Become a tradie and get a career that will set you up for life.
Study with MIT and you will get the hands-on experience you need to succeed in your chosen trade.
It doesn't matter your level of education or experience. We have a course that suits you.
Help rebuild the New Zealand economy with a career where there's always demand for skilled tradespeople ready to fill well-paid jobs. And, with so much work available, you could even start your own business.
MIT TechPark is an award-winning centre of excellence for engineering and trades.
Having won a Learning Environments Australasia Awards which recognises planning, design and construction of educational facilities throughout the region, our state-of-the-art campus is the home of our engineering and trades school. Coupling stunning architectural learning spaces with a myriad of high-tech facilities for our students, it's easy to see why it's been given such high praises.
Our TechPark building is situated on the corner of Lambie Drive and Manukau Station Road. It is across the road from the existing MIT Manukau campus, currently home to the schools of nursing, health and counselling, business, and digital technologies.
"If you’ve got a trade, you’ve got it made! MIT is where the makers are made. The opportunities I have received whilst being at MIT, not only as a student but as a tutorial assistant, have been endless. I believe that I will be able to help MIT create a legacy that will be known for their life-changing opportunities across the nation to rangatahi and their whanau."
Hera Eruera
MIT graduate
Manukau Institute of Technology graduate and former tutorial assistant Hera Eruera is featured on the front cover of Master Plumbers magazine NZ Plumber! Read the full story here:
"I began studying for my certificate in plumbing and gasfitting at MIT instead of doing year 13 at school, and I’m so glad I did. It offered great facilities and our learning was very hands-on, which made it fun. We also had great support throughout from our tutors, who were mostly ex-tradesmen. Their strong industry connections meant we had a head-start when it came to securing a job after graduating.
I got a job before I had even completed my studies. It has a lot of variety including, plumbing, gas fitting, drain laying, roofing, driving diggers, and lifts, as well as organising jobs. Thanks to the support of my MIT tutors I’ve also participated in the Worldskills competition.
If you’re considering MIT, I’d say go for it, it can really take you places. You’ll be well qualified and prepared for the workplace.”
Hunter Turner
MIT graduate
"About two years ago my business was hugely impacted by the whole Covid situation and I really had to reconsider my options. As a mum of four, I’d spent my time looking after the kids, so I didn’t have any formal qualifications. I've never had a clear plan or vision of what I wanted to do as a career, I just had a vague direction. I wanted to help design sustainable green spaces in urban development, to better society and its lifestyle impact on the environment.
When I began classes at MIT I realised this was my ‘foot in the door’ moment, taking that first step. I wasn’t prepared for so many doors to open and so many opportunities to be offered. Lecturers connected me with employers, gave me insights into the industry and introduced me to their industry networks. Even the TechPark facility really surprised me with how modern it is.
MIT TechPark schools adapted to Covid lockdowns and began offering all course materials online which really ensured I never lost track of my progress and now, as this year’s student council TechPark representative, along with a bunch of great friends and future opportunities I didn’t have before, I know I’ve made the best decision I ever have.
You don't have to have a dream to start chasing one. So proud to be a part of this."
Lorrissa-Laine Hamon
MIT student
“I chose to study because I'd had enough of my administration job, the government was offering free trade training and the trade campus had just opened up which is a 10-minute drive from my house. Initially, I was looking at bricklaying because I was yearning to have a job out of the office and in the sun, but when I looked through all the trade courses refrigeration seemed more like my cuppa tea (I have not regretted my choice).
MIT is one of the few places in the country that offer pre-trade refrigeration/HVAC courses. I liked that it was close to home, Auckland traffic is horrible so being by the train station and bus depot is useful. My lecturer was diligent in finding employment for the entire class which isn’t something that you see in other universities/education providers as the emphasis is usually on you to develop your own networks with potential employers.
A pre-trade is your opportunity to be curious and do a deep dive into the industry without having to commit yourself to an employer. Refrigeration/HVAC is so multifaceted that if halfway through you realise that it might not be the path for you, you have a range of other areas to segway into.
Everything you learn in pre-trade is important to the role. This isn’t the kind of job where you can be given 1 week's training and be expected to hit the ground running, there is a lot to learn!
When you have a pre-trade you are more likely to be hired in your chosen field because it shows employers that you’ve invested your own time into learning more about the industry.
As a mature student, I already have several qualifications and a colourful 15-year career behind me, so I’ve learnt not to plan too far ahead as you never know what’s around the bend, especially after COVID. Looking at my apprenticeship path I should be finished in 4 years but beyond that, the sky is the limit with where an apprenticeship could take me.
Utilise the resources available to you and if you’re not sure seek out advice. The tutors here are usually flexible, and with the online canvas platform there is more capability to complete assignments and study from home if you need to continue working.”
Samantha Murry
MIT graduate
