Graduate Diploma in Operations and Production Management

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

With this program, you'll study both the theory and practical aspects of interior design, and learn about light and colour, design principles, materials and finishes, lighting, soft furnishings, window treatments, ergonomic principles, New Zealand art and cultural/historical influences in interior design. You'll also learn about architectural communication, building codes, laws and regulations, personal and business presentation, and business management. In addition, you'll develop your freehand drawing and manual drafting abilities, and learn how to use software such as Computer Aided Design and Photoshop.

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) Mechanical Major is a three year degree comprising of core and elective courses with a focus on the design and implementation of engineering technology. The BEngTech (Mechanical) 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 mechanical 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.

In the first year of study you will develop knowledge in core business strategies including accounting, business communication, commercial law, business heritage, culture and sustainability, marketing, computing, management and applied research.

You will focus on your accounting specialisation in the second and third years, with study preparing you for an accounting position. Core subjects include:

• Intermediate Financial Accounting - details the regulatory and technical aspects of accounting as well as external reporting and evaluating techniques.
• Intermediate Management Accounting - covers the processes and information required for effective planning, control and decision making.
• Taxation in New Zealand - applies knowledge of taxation rules and compliance.
• Advanced Financial Accounting - prepares financial statements to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting practice.
• Advanced Management Accounting - examines sourcing and evaluating accounting information related to organisational success.

If you have a degree in nursing or a health-related area and you’d like to extend your knowledge and skills for advanced practice in the health sector, this programme will build on your specialist knowledge and enable you to progress your clinical career, take on management positions or enter into health teaching in your area of practice. The programme is tailored for health managers and health practitioners, specifically registered nurses and other health professionals working for DHBs, PHOs, the fitness industry and sports organisations, as well as social workers, community care workers and allied health practitioners.

This programme is designed to equip you with the skills needed to be an effective strategic management professional, capable of working in a range of business environments. It covers applied business management, leadership, strategic planning, finance and marketing.

An industry project will form part of your studies and will provide you with hands-on experience that strengthens your understanding of the area.

This programme looks in-depth at a wide range of retail-related areas, with a focus on strategic decision making around the resources used to develop and sustain a high performing retail business. Areas covered include ownership models, channel management, human capital, technology use and adoption, customer experience and merchandising.

You'll learn how to critically evaluate management and marketing concepts in a range of retailing environments; identify and analyse opportunities for improvement; and create strategies for building and sustaining a retail enterprise.

This program has been designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge the industry requires to meet the increasing demand for outdoor leaders and guides and to prepare you for a varied, rewarding and adventurous career.

Learning from some of the most qualified educators and instructors in the country you'll become technically competent in a range of outdoor pursuits including sea kayaking, rock climbing, bushwalking and mountain biking. You'll gain skills in leadership, sustainability and environmental education, supervision, and instruction. You'll also learn how to plan, prepare, instruct and guide participants in a range of outdoor activities while maintaining safe, ethical and professional practice in familiar and unfamiliar outdoor environments. This will include assessing and managing emergency care situations in isolated locations.

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. Many courses include group activities or group projects, as the ability to work as part of a team is strongly valued by employers.

Applied visual art aims to develop the student as an independent art practitioner or designer. Core skills taught include design strategies, drawing, printmaking and sculptural skills in a range of materials. In addition students will choose three courses from a range of electives, which will enable them to develop complementary skills in particular areas of interest. As well as studio courses, students will complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies, which will give them developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics and some business skills.