An additional $42 million over four years was allocated in Budget 2012 to maintain the quality of engineering provision and increase the number of engineering graduates, with a target of an additional 500 engineering graduates per year from 2017. An additional $9.3 million over four years was allocated in Budget 2013.
In early 2013, a total of 15 tertiary education providers of priority engineering education in New Zealand responded to a series of questions regarding the recruitment and retention of engineering students, and industry connections to ensure relevance and quality of provision. This report provides a summary and analysis of provider’s responses to these questions.
The report is in two parts. Part one gives an overview of initiatives undertaken by providers to increase the pipeline of students entering engineering study (at levels 5 and above) and to link with industry, including some of the issues providers face.
Part two provides an analysis of these initiatives and draws on additional research to identify further successful practice. This includes drawing on some international research on producing work ready engineering graduates.