New Zealand Council of Engineering Deans

Student Recruitment Strategy

A coordinated, nationwide student recruitment strategy needs to be developed.   Its aims would be to:

(i)         encourage technologically minded young people to embark on studies leading to a career in professional engineering

(ii)        ensure prospective students receive sound advice as to the courses best suited to their abilities and aspirations

(iii)       increase the percentage of the very able students enrolling in professional engineering degrees

This will be achieved by the development of a “marketing plan” components of which would include:

  • Ensuring that in secondary schools every careers advisor and all Heads of Technology and Science receive updated information on the number and type of career opportunities for those with professional engineering education as well as those expected over the next five years together with the salary profile information determined by IPENZ surveys
  • Development of “a careers expo kit” which includes in a poster and/or video format role model profiles, descriptions of engineering achievements and a clear presentation of the various pathways leading to engineering qualifications.   Such a kit would be available to all for use at their local expos
  • Presentations to school careers evenings where engineering students and recent graduates speak to students and parents
  • Ensuring students in Polytechnics and on Industry Training Organisation programmes are informed about staircasing into professional degree programmes and career paths
  • Providing support to the Neighbourhood Engineers programme