Auckland, New Zealand — June 11, 2026 — A delegation from Cambridge International Academy (CIA), led by Marketing Manager Lily Sun, recently visited Unitec Institute of Technology to meet with Don Sirimanne, Manager of Marketing and International Market Development. The engagement was driven by increasing student demand for Unitec’s trades programs, prompting both parties to explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
As Unitec’s senior lead for international market development, Mr. Sirimanne plays a key role in fostering partnerships with education agents and institutional stakeholders worldwide. During the meeting, he provided an overview of Unitec’s strategic direction in trades education, while Ms. Sun shared CIA’s extensive experience in international student recruitment and marketing. Both sides expressed strong alignment in their commitment to creating accessible, high-quality vocational pathways for international students.
Following the productive discussion, Mr. Sirimanne hosted a tour of Unitec’s Trades campus in Mt Albert. The visit left a lasting impression on the CIA team, particularly the state-of-the-art Mataaho training centre—New Zealand’s largest open-plan trades facility. The centre features industry-standard equipment and simulated real-world environments, including on-site construction projects where students gain hands-on experience by building actual houses.
Unitec’s Trades campus delivers programs across several high-demand fields, including:
- Automotive Engineering
- Carpentry and Construction
- Electrical Engineering
- Plumbing, Gas-fitting, and Drain-laying
- Mechanical Engineering
The campus offers a clear and structured progression pathway, from pre-apprenticeship foundation programmes to full apprenticeship qualifications. With strong integration across New Zealand’s trades industries, students benefit from an “earn while you learn” model that combines practical training with real income.
This visit marks a significant step forward in strengthening ties between CIA and Unitec. Looking ahead, CIA remains dedicated to broadening quality educational opportunities for international students and strengthening connections to New Zealand’s vocational education sector.
CIA拜访Unitec理工学院，共商行业技能人才培养合作
2026年6月11日，CIA（新西兰国际教育集团）市场部经理Lily Sun带队拜访了Unitec理工学院市场与国际市场发展经理Don Sirimanne先生。此次会面主要围绕近期学生对Unitec trades（行业技能）专业的浓厚兴趣展开，双方探讨了未来合作的可能性。
Don Sirimanne先生作为Unitec国际市场发展的负责人，长期负责与教育代理及机构伙伴的联络与合作。会谈中，双方就如何更好地为国际学生提供优质的行业技能培训路径交换了意见。Lily Sun介绍了CIA在国际教育市场推广方面的经验，并表达了对Unitec行业培训资源的高度认可。
会后，Don Sirimanne先生带领CIA团队参观了Unitec的Trades校区，令人印象深刻。该校区位于奥克兰Mt Albert，其中的Mataaho是新西兰最大的开放式行业培训中心之一，配备行业领先的设备和实景教学场地，学生会在校内实际建造房屋。
Unitec Trades校区覆盖以下热门行业课程：
- 汽车工程
- 木工与建筑
- 电工
- 水工、煤气工与排水工
- 机械工程
校区提供从预学徒培训到完整学徒制的进阶路径，并与行业紧密联动，为学徒提供“边学边赚”的成长机会。
此次拜访和参观为未来合作奠定了良好基础。CIA将继续致力于为国际学生拓展优质的教育资源，搭建通往新西兰行业技能培训的桥梁。