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Coastal Engineer - How to get into this job

Mataaro Ākau

Entry Requirements

To become a coastal engineer you need a Bachelor of Engineering. A Diploma in Engineering or an equivalent diploma may also be acceptable.

Secondary Education

To enter tertiary training, Bursary or NCEA equivalent English, maths with calculus, physics and chemistry is preferred.

Get help with choosing school subjects

Relevant courses

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Coastal engineers may attend courses, seminars, workshops and conferences to keep their skills up to date.

Coastal engineers may apply to the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) to become a chartered professional engineer (CPEng) after:

completing relevant qualifications
gaining appropriate work experience (usually four to five years) and
completing a practical competency assessment

To maintain registration, chartered engineers need to demonstrate their ability to practice and display evidence of undertaking professional development at least every five years.

Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)

"The main learning happens when you get out on the job and start getting your boots dirty!"

Maurice Davis - Coastal Engineer

Registration

Coastal engineers should be registered with the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).

Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)

Useful Experience

Useful experience for coastal engineers includes surveying or engineering work, and any work with people. Working in regional councils in the resource-consent processing section or as a field officer may also be useful.

People wanting to enter the field may also wish to get involved with voluntary groups such as coast care groups, resource management groups and coastal dune vegetation networks.

Any water-related sport which gives an understanding of waves, such as surfing or diving, may also be helpful.

"You have to be able to look at things and see what's going on, especially if you are looking at a coastal site. There is a lot that just looking at the situation can tell you."

Sharyn Westlake - Coastal/Marine Engineer

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Updated August 2008

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