Graduate Diploma in Operations and Production Management

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) Civil Major is a three year degree comprising of core and elective courses, with a focus on the design and implementation of engineering technology. Choose your electives to specialise in structural, water and water waste, or roading and transportation engineering strands. The BEngTech (Civil) is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ) and is recognised internationally under the Sydney Accord. In your first year of study you'll develop core engineering skills in computing, mathematics, management and the engineering sciences, plus some discipline-specific topics. This forms the foundation upon which you'll build your degree. Critical thinking, problem solving and innovation will be a key part of your success.

In your second and third years you'll continue to deepen your understanding in civil engineering and engage in projects to apply your knowledge. A capstone project is run with close ties to industry, with many projects being sponsored by key industry parties. This offers the chance to test your skills against industry standards in a real-world scenario, while building your professional portfolio and developing important industry contacts.

The Bachelor of Construction is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to work at a high level in the construction industry, as a leader who is able to innovate and contribute to new ways of creating the built environment.

The program starts with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, attributes and academic abilities required of a construction manager or quantity surveyor. You'll gain discipline-specific skills and knowledge, starting with a focus on small domestic buildings then moving on to low-rise and large commercial construction, then heavily serviced, multifaceted projects.

Your year-two project work and assessments will require problem solving, independent research skills and application of cultural approaches and aspects of sustainability. In the third year you'll be required to source and organise technical, project and academic research information, and evaluate, critique and propose well-rationalised solutions.

Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications degree specialising in journalism is a highly practical programme providing you with the skills and theory to break news stories and be actively involved with the production of news for radio, television or online media. Early in your studies you'll gain a strong grounding in broadcasting and communications theory, writing and researching news bulletins for our radio station. You'll also report TV news stories for broadcast and online.

This flexible degree will prepare you to succeed in business by equipping you with widely applicable, real-world knowledge and skills. You’ll develop your ability to think critically and strategically and gain valuable skills in your chosen specialty.

In your first year, you’ll develop a depth of business knowledge and skills required for any commercial context. This includes skills in management, leadership, accounting, marketing, HR, law, economics, and sustainability, as well as knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Titiri o Waitangi.

In your second year, you'll then choose a specialization to suit your desired pathway. You can also choose a second specialization, five elective courses or go on a student exchange program.

Your final year of studies involves more complex critical and strategic thinking skills. You’ll undertake a co-operative education project for a local business which will include a work placement. During this placement, you’ll apply skills learned in your chosen specialization to complete a research-informed project that solves a business problem.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time, and/or in the evenings but to choose two specializations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalize your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.

Specializations include: Accounting (including CA Pathway), Business Information Systems, Event Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Marketing and Sales, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain Logistics, Strategic Management, Transformation, and Change.

You will gain a solid grounding in engineering theory and principles of engineering science including design and drawing, materials, surveying hydraulics, geotech structures and highways. It is expected that graduates will attain the educational underpinnings and work ready attributes defined in the Engineering New Zealand Graduate Profile for Engineering Technicians.

The graduate profile defined by Engineering New Zealand is benchmarked internationally to the exemplar graduate attributes for graduates of technical education programmes recognised under the Dublin Accord.

You will explore the best methods for optimising supply chain relationships and the logistics of production, including considerations from an engineering perspective.Core studies include the essentials of project management, product development, operations management and resource integration management. We also introduce you to other relevant topics including industrial relations, human resources and finance and management accounting.

You'll learn about leadership principles, how to build and maintain positive staff relationships, and how to monitor and maintain operating procedures and compliance requirements. Key areas covered include the importance of excellent customer service and how to work in collaborative, team-based environments within the restaurant, bar, barista, hotel reception and accommodation contexts. In addition, you'll gain a sound understanding of local and international tourism and the essential contribution tourists make to the hospitality industry. You'll undertake a practical work placement which will give you the opportunity to set personal and professional development goals.

This diploma is designed to enable you to support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of a business or organisation. It covers business basics including accounting, sales and marketing, human resources and risk management, then focuses on administration and technology aspects of business.

This focus will give you the knowledge and skills to be able to plan, organise and manage business administration functions, operations and projects, and to support management. You'll learn how to select, apply and support a broad range of current and emerging business technologies to meet a business's needs, as well as manage, analyse and evaluate administrative systems and processes and recommend improvements. In addition you'll gain skills in problem solving, critical thinking and effective communication.

This diploma is designed to equip you with sales and marketing skills that will enable you to contribute to the achievements of a business or organisation. It covers business basics such as communication, human resources, business law, organisational culture, economics, risk management and problem solving, then focuses on sales and marketing aspects of business. This focus will give you knowledge and skills in marketing philosophy, segmentation, targeting and positioning. You'll also gain skills in managing performance, attitudes and buyer behaviour.

IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs. The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT.

In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses. You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks.