MPTT helps Māori and Pasifika become leaders in the trades industry. As well as paying your course fees, we’ll give you one-on-one mentoring to grow your career, and help you find work in your chosen trade.
If you’re Māori or Pasifika and aged 16-40, you could qualify for our scholarships. Let us know you’re interested by filling out this form, and we’ll be in touch.
Love cars, trucks or anything with an engine? If you enjoy solving problems, working with your hands and figuring out how things work, a career in Automotive could be right for you. The industry offers heaps of opportunities for aspiring Māori and Pasifika ākonga – from servicing everyday cars and repairing heavy vehicles to automotive electrical work and the fast-growing world of electric vehicles.
Automotive technology is always changing, so there will always be something new to learn. If you’re practical, safety-conscious, good with detail and willing to put in the mahi, this trade can lead to a skilled career with plenty of room to grow.
Read on to learn more about the Automotive trade and how you can train for free with our MPTT Scholarship Programme.
What type of work will I do?
Automotive work is about keeping vehicles safe, reliable and running well. Depending on the pathway you choose, you could work on cars, utes, trucks, buses, construction machinery, farm equipment, motorcycles or electric vehicles. Your day-to-day work could include:
As you gain experience, you could specialise in light vehicles, heavy vehicles, automotive electrical engineering, collision repair, motorcycles, parts and service, or electric vehicle technology. You could also move into workshop supervision, service advising, technical training or running your own business.
“It’s great not having to do the same thing over and over again. Every day is different. There are lots of different vehicles for a start, especially with new electric vehicles coming out. I’m glad I’m not stuck in an office – I’d get bored sitting there all day!” Ben Poutasi
How do I train and get qualified?
Training for a career in Automotive is flexible. You can either:
To become a qualified automotive technician, you’ll usually need to be employed in the industry and complete a relevant apprenticeship qualification. The pathway you take will depend on whether you want to work with light vehicles, heavy vehicles, automotive electrical systems or another specialist area.
Pre-Trades Training
Lots of people begin their Automotive careers by completing the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3) with an established education or training provider. There are a few to choose from in different locations around Auckland. This pre-trades course combines practical workshop learning with the theory you need to understand vehicle systems and work safely with tools and equipment.
You’ll build foundation skills across areas such as engines, brakes, steering, suspension, driveline systems and automotive electrical and electronic systems. It’s designed to prepare you for entry-level work and further training in the industry.
“I like being on my feet, working with my hands, and getting dirty.”
Joseph Kaufusi, Automotive apprentice
Why should I do a pre-trades course in automotive?
A pre-trades course gives you hands-on experience before you enter a busy workplace. It can help you build confidence with tools, workshop safety and basic vehicle servicing, while showing employers that you’re serious about the trade.
It can also help you decide what type of Automotive work interests you most – whether that’s cars, trucks, heavy machinery, electrical systems or new technology such as electric vehicles.
How do I pay for my training?
We understand that paying for training and education is out of reach for some whānau, especially those on lower incomes. Our MPTT Scholarship Programme for Māori and Pasifika learners allows you to study for free and offers wraparound support and mentorship to help you achieve your work goals.
About the MPTT Scholarship Programme
The MPTT Scholarship Programme is a unique pre-trades training opportunity that goes beyond covering your course fees. Our programme provides end-to-end support and mentoring to help you complete your training successfully and gain the work-readiness skills you’ll need to secure a job or apprenticeship with good, long-term career prospects.
When you move into eligible employment or an apprenticeship, you may also receive financial support towards the tools or equipment you need to get started.
Before applying for the MPTT Scholarship Programme, you’ll first need to enrol in an Automotive pre-trades course with one of our training partners.
Here’s what you need to do:
Check out the certificate courses in Automotive, listed below, and follow the links to learn more. Once you’ve chosen your course, you’ll need to apply for it through the course provider’s website(e.g. MIT, Unitec, or LifeSkills Education and Training).
Apply for the MPTT Scholarship Programme after you’ve been accepted into a course. We’ll let your chosen course provider know when your application has been approved. From there, we’ll take care of your course fees and you’ll also have access to the additional support offered by our programme.
LifeSkills Education and Training
Apply early to avoid disappointment.
Due to high demand, MIT are no longer accepting 2026 MPTT Scholarship applications for ALL approved MPTT funded programmes that start in January or February 2026. They will re-open scholarships end of August for students enrolled in the July 2026 Intake only.
Apply early to avoid disappointment.
Entry requirements for Automotive pre-trades courses vary between training providers. It’s important to check out the specific entry requirements for each course before you enrol.
A driver licence may not be required to start your course, but having at least a learner licence – and working towards your restricted or full licence – can open up more employment and apprenticeship opportunities.
If you do your pre-trades training with the MPTT Scholarship Programme, our team can help you prepare for work and connect with potential employers when you finish.
Automotive apprenticeships combine paid, on-the-job learning with structured training.To enrol in most industry apprenticeship programmes, you’ll need to be employed in a suitable automotive role. Depending on your pathway, you could work towards a New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering, Heavy Automotive Engineering or Automotive Electrical Engineering.
These qualifications commonly take around four years to complete while you work. As vehicle technology keeps changing, you can continue to upskill later in areas such as electric vehicle automotive engineering.
If you’d like to learn more about Automotive apprenticeships, email our industry partner jodi.franklin@mito.org.nz or click here to find out about a MITO apprenticeship in automotive.