Mō te tūranga

About the role

Specialisations

Apprenticeship trades | Engineering & Technical trades
Entry type

General entry, Apprenticeships
Under training

$68,860
Location

Trentham

This isn’t just turning spanners, this is keeping the Army moving. This isn’t just a mechanic’s job it’s a career filled with adventure, teamwork, and nationally recognised qualifications. You’ll train on equipment most mechanics never touch, gain leadership skills, and take on challenges in the field that civilian workshops can’t match. Join us, and turn your skills into power, pride, and purpose.

As an Automotive Technician, you’ll be the one who makes sure everything from Light Armoured Vehicles and heavy trucks, to motorbikes, generators and even chainsaws are ready for action. When something breaks, you’ll be the problem solver who gets it running again whether you’re in the workshop or out in the field. Every day is different. One week you might be on exercise repairing vehicles under pressure, the next you could be on the range firing weapons or gaining nationally-recognised trade qualifications that set you up for life. You’ll join a tight knit team, travel, push yourself, and gain skills that few civilian jobs can match. Most importantly, you’ll know your work keeps soldiers safe and missions on track.

If you’re looking for a career with adventure, purpose, and opportunities you won’t find anywhere else, then this is it.

Requirements

Basics

Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

3 years secondary school.

^{Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.}

Fitness & Medical

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation, you will be required to serve 2 years in the Army. This helps the NZDF make the most of the skills and knowledge you’ve built during your training.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

“Not only do we get to work on all the vehicles but we get taught how to drive all of them as well. That includes the Light Armoured Vehicles and the new Bushmasters.”

Tiana, Automotive Technician

Job on base

You’ll be responsible for keeping the Army moving and providing support wherever you are in camp. You will be given all the knowledge and tools required to diagnose and repair any possible fault with any of our fleet of vehicles. The repairs you will perform range from basic servicing tasks to engine replacements. Variety is also provided in your day-to-day camp routine by the inclusion of sport, PT, parades, and other soldier skills and training activities.
Job on deployment

Automotive Technicians deploy on a variety of overseas deployments and postings, which could range from a three-month deployment within a South Pacific nation to a deployment of 8 months with the United Nations.
While deployed you will find yourself working on a wide variety of equipment, from forklifts to the MHOVs and MAN Trucks. You'll fix what you can in the field, or recover the vehicle to bring it back to base for repair. Your working environment will differ: you could be working at night to repair equipment from under a tarpaulin on grass, or be working within a concrete-floored building. The exciting part of this job is the challenge of having to repair equipment with sometimes limited resources.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

Organisation and Administration
Army Customs and Protocol
Drill and Parades
Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
First Aid
Physical Fitness

02Job Training

Job Training

RNZALR BASIC TRAINING

A four week course held at the Trade Training School (Trentham), where you will be introduced to basic RNZALR skills.

Training includes:

Operational Combat Services Support concepts
Operating in-service communications equipment
Concealing equipment systems
Operating vehicle recovery equipment
And military vehicles and their functions

BASIC VEHICLE MECHANICS COURSE

This is a 12 month course which combines training from both WelTec and the NZ Army TTS preparing apprentices to undertake their apprenticeship in one of the two major NZ Army workshops. This course also includes 17 weeks attending WelTech to complete a National Certificate in Motor Industry. This Training includes but is not limited too:

Workshop safety and procedures
Tools and welding
Lubricants and sealant
Running engines
Cooling systems
And brake systems, wheels and tyres

03Ongoing Training

Ongoing Training

INTERMEDIATE VEHICLE MECHANICS COURSE

Seven weeks learning the intricacies of the vehicles of the Army fleet, from motorcycles to heavy machinery.

CONTINUED TRADE TRAINING (courses through to Level 5 in the Automotive Heavy Trade)

This training involves block courses at polytechnics where you will learn vehicle repair and familiarisation at the Trade Training School in Trentham.

Once you have completed your qualification as a Vehicle Mechanic, there will be opportunities to further your qualifications within trade, undertaking auto-electrical and plant qualifications. Further courses in maintaining the NZ LAV and specialist field equipment can also be completed.

04Career Progression

Career Progression

Career progression as an Automotive Technician with the New Zealand Army is aligned to the National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Heavy Engineering) with strand in Road Transport (level 4). You will receive training within the Army that aligns and supports to the current MITO apprenticeship culminating in a level 4 national certificate qualification in approximately 4 years. You will also receive specialist equipment training specific to New Zealand Army equipment, at no cost to you.

Once you have qualified within the trade of Automotive Technician, you will then have opportunities to supervise and train apprentices, progressing through to various levels of Workshop Foreman.

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
Opportunities to travel
Free and subsidised medical and dental care
Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
Subsidised insurance cover

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.