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Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Testimonials

Inverell Shire Council are committed to sustaining and expanding the professional knowledge base in regional and rural communities. Council has recognised that UNE provides a unique opportunity to provide education to professional level for both young and mature students wishing to stay in the rural areas. Council recognises UNE as a regional university that has educated numerous existing staff to degree level and beyond in several disciplines that has prepared them very well for the work environment they face and Council anticipate the BEngTech course will deliver similar outcomes. The BEngTech course will greatly assist Council with the development of existing and future engineers and therefore sustain the high level of service that the community has come to expect from the engineering professionals within the organisation.

Paul Henry, General Manager, Inverell Shire Council

This page provides information about the three-year para-professional Bachelor of Engineering Technology at UNE. The degree will be offered with majors in Civil or Environmental Engineering. Students can undertake the course on a full-time on-campus basis, in a part-time off-campus basis, or a mixture of either mode.

Traineeships will be offered by some employers in the region and links are provided. Traineeships may vary between employers so potential students are encouraged to see what employers have to offer and to select to apply for the most appropriate one for their needs.

Why Study the Bachelor of Engineering Technology at UNE?

This is a completely new and different degree course that UNE is offering. It is relatively unique in that it has been developed with specific industry input to address the national skills shortage of engineering graduates in two major areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Industry also provides traineeships and the opportunity for on-the-job training. This can be achieved through the flexible modes of delivery that UNE offers.  The course has also been structured to provide for later articulation to a four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree at USQ and/or further post-graduate study.

What does UNE have to offer?

• flexible delivery modes,
• low student/staff ratios and offers a more personal experience,
• higher rank for student satisfaction,
• relaxed and friendly environment in a rural setting,
• our staff are highly qualified and respected, a number remain active practitioners in their specialisation,
• graduate career prospects are great.
  

Summary Information:

Careers

UNE and an industry advisory panel undertook a survey of regional employers in 2006-07 and found that most regional employers are understaffed with engineering graduates by at least 20%. Some local government authorities in south-east Queensland have anecdotally reported much higher vacancy rates. It is expected that this number will grow significantly with major infrastructure projects and the mining boom competing for a scarce pool of engineering graduates.

The skills shortage of professional engineers across rural and regional areas is clear and evident. Industry and local communities are endeavouring to do what they can to address it. Some communities are encouraging young people to study and return and work in their own area.

The following organisations in the region have generously offered to provide traineeships for students in 2008:

• EA Systems, Armidale
• Local Government Engineering Services (LEGS), Inverell and Port Macquarie
• Armidale Dumaresq Council
• Gwydir Shire Council, Warialda
• Inverell Shire Council, Inverell
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Quirindi
• Mitchel Hanlon Consulting, Tamworth
• Moree Plains Shire Council, Moree
• Nambucca Shire Council, Nambucca Heads
• Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC)

These organisations can be contacted via the web links. Some of these organisations are providing more than one traineeship, so check to see individual details on what is being offered.

Contacts: 

For general and administrative enquiries:

For further information:

email: ersteach@une.edu.au
phone: +(61 2) 6773 3455