8 Jun 2026
Following a series of employer visits across Auckland, Engineering New Zealand Deputy President Keryn Kliskey reflects on key conversations with employers and universities. He shares insights into a growing challenge facing engineering graduates and highlights how employers can play a vital role in supporting the next generation of engineers.
Kavita Kansara, Engagement Manager, Employers and Academics and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with some of you, our employers of Engineering New Zealand members, to better understand your current priorities and provide an update on recent initiatives by Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau.
We also met with the universities training our next generation of engineers and learnt that enrolments have risen in 2026 – an encouraging sign for our profession’s future.
It was concerning to hear that a significant number of engineering students who completed their academic requirements in 2025 did not graduate in May this year; primarily because they hadn’t achieved the 800 hours of practical work experience required during their undergraduate studies.
The need for practical work experience is required to maintain Engineering New Zealand accreditation, which provides recognition under the Washington Accord. The discussions highlighted there are varying interpretations of the types of work experience that can be counted towards both the engineering and general categories.
In response, Engineering New Zealand will provide further guidance on work experience for students, employers and universities.
We appreciate the organisations already providing students with work experience/internships and encourage others to do the same, while recognising the challenges posed by the current economic conditions. Supporting and retaining these students within the profession is essential to ensuring a strong engineering workforce.
On your end, we’d appreciate your support to:
- consider providing students with work experience if you don’t already
- consider students who haven’t completed their work experience for graduate roles – as their first 20 weeks can be used as work experience to allow graduation
- encourage other business partners to provide students with work experience.
Thank you to everyone supporting the next generation of engineers. This is important for the future of our profession and our ability to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s growth and prosperity.
This update was written by Keryn Kliskey, Deputy President of the Engineering New Zealand Board.
