Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop knowledge of the requirements for inspecting bridges and other significant highway structures.

• Understand NZTA S6 inspection policy and its application to bridge inspections.

• Learn to identify and record defects in concrete, steel and timber structures.

• Understand inspection procedures for bridge components, foundations, waterways, joints, bearings and seismic restraints.

• Develop skills in planning inspection rounds, using inspection equipment and maintaining inspection records.

• Gain practical experience through a supervised field inspection.

• Complete an individual practical assessment on the second day.

• Successful participants who also meet the relevant experience requirements may qualify to undertake general inspections on NZTA bridges and structures for other Road Controlling Authorities.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The official brochure, updated 20 October 2026, divides the course into classroom learning on Day 1 and practical field inspection and assessment on Day 2.

Day 1 – Classroom-based technical training

1. Introduction to bridge inspection

• Purpose of inspection.

• Definition of bridges and other structures.

• Overview of inspection responsibilities.

2. NZTA S6 inspection policy

• Requirements of NZTA S6.

• Roles of inspectors and Bridge Inspection Engineers.

• Responsibility for structure inspection.

• Types of inspection, with a focus on general and principal inspections.

• Routine surveillance inspections.

• Special inspections.

• Environmental effects and intervention guidelines.

3. Inspection planning and procedures

• Planning inspection rounds.

• Using the standard NZTA S6 inspection form.

• Recognising when more detailed investigation is required.

• Systematic inspection procedures.

• Optimising the inspection process.

4. Inspection equipment and records

• Cameras, ladders, calipers and steel rules.

• Recording loading plaques.

• Reporting and record keeping.

• Inspection safety.

5. Identification of structural defects

• Causes of deterioration.

• Identifying and recording defects in reinforced concrete.

• Identifying and recording defects in steel structures.

• Common problems with timber structures.

• Drilling timber structures to identify concealed decay.

6. Bridge components and associated structures

• Joints and bearings.

• Holding-down bolts.

• Seismic restraints.

• Service supports.

• Foundations and approaches.

• Waterways and related defects.

• Specialist inspections and advice for particular structure types, including steel structures.

Day 2 – Practical field inspection

Morning:

• Group inspection of structures of different types.

• Practical application of inspection procedures.

• Identification of structural defects.

Afternoon:

• Individual inspection of a structure by each delegate.

• Individual practical assessment.

• Participants are separated into groups to maintain the integrity of assessment.

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion, participants should be able to:

• Understand the principles of bridge and highway-structure inspection.

• Carry out bridge and highway-structure inspections under supervision.

• Understand relevant administration and management systems.

• Follow NZ Transport Agency policy when inspecting structures and identifying defects.

• Detect potential instances of bridge failure.

• Recognise when more detailed inspection or specialist technical advice is needed.

 

Disciplines/Specialisations

The course is relevant to:

• Civil engineering.

• Structural engineering.

• Bridge inspection and assessment.

• Highway infrastructure.

• Road asset management.

• Bridge maintenance and inspection planning.

• Structural defect identification.

• Local-authority and state-highway infrastructure.

• Infrastructure quality assurance and safety.

Programme Highlights

• NZTA-endorsed and certified professional training.

• Two-day course with classroom and field-based learning.

• Practical inspection of different structure types.

• Individual practical assessment on Day 2.

• Covers the NZTA S6 inspection policy.

• Includes defect identification in reinforced concrete, steel and timber structures.

• Covers foundations, waterways, bearings, joints and seismic restraints.

• Includes a copy of the Inspection Manual for Highway Structures – Inspectors Handbook for each attendee.

• Successful candidates may qualify to undertake general inspections on NZTA bridges, provided they also meet the relevant experience requirements.

• Minimum participant numbers apply before a course is confirmed.

Career Outcomes

This course is designed to upgrade the inspection knowledge and practical capabilities of people already working in civil engineering, structural engineering and infrastructure asset management.

Relevant professional roles include:

• Bridge Inspector.

• Highway Structure Inspector.

• Civil Engineer.

• Structural Engineer.

• Bridge Maintenance Engineer.

• Infrastructure Asset Manager.

• Civil Engineering Technician.

• Roading Infrastructure Inspector.

• Local-authority bridge inspection personnel.

• State-highway inspection personnel.

Important qualification and employment distinction:

• Successful completion of the course assessment is required for the course's NZTA inspection-training component.

• WITT states that successful candidates can undertake general inspections on NZTA bridges if they also meet the required experience criteria.

• NZTA S6 includes additional competency and experience requirements for Structure Inspectors. The course alone does not guarantee appointment as an inspector, employment or professional registration.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

1. Latest course brochure

WITT's current brochure was last updated on 20 October 2026. It lists the December 2026 and April/May 2027 intakes and the corresponding fees.

2. Experience prerequisite

Applicants should have at least one year of active experience inspecting bridges or similar structures and a working knowledge of NZTA S6. The course is not intended for people with minimal or no inspection experience.

3. Familiarity with NZTA S6

Delegates should read and understand the NZTA S6 policy, especially the terminology used in the bridge inspection proforma.

4. Personal protective equipment

Participants must provide their own PPE for the field inspection, including:

• Safety boots.

• High-visibility jacket.

• Long pants.

• Long-sleeved shirt.

• Wet-weather gear, if required.

Participants should confirm whether any additional PPE or site-access requirements apply to their selected intake.

5. Individual assessment

Day 2 includes an individual practical assessment. Participants should be prepared to inspect a structure independently and demonstrate that they can apply the course procedures.

6. Additional NZTA experience requirements

The NZTA S6 policy sets out requirements beyond attending the course. It describes a Structure Inspector as someone with relevant professional engineering competence or extensive practical experience, and requires at least five years of relevant inspection experience, subject to the policy's provisions. Applicants seeking to use this training for NZTA inspection work should check their eligibility with the relevant Structure Inspection Engineer or Road Controlling Authority.

International Student Visa Requirements

This is a two-day short course. It is not a long-term full-time programme, so an international participant travelling to New Zealand specifically to attend it would generally need to consider visitor permission rather than a Fee Paying Student Visa.

1. Short-course study permission

Immigration New Zealand allows people holding an appropriate Visitor Visa, work visa or visa-waiver permission to study one or more short courses for up to 3 months in any 12-month period, subject to their visa conditions. A two-day course is within this duration limit.

2. Likely visa route for applicants from India

• Indian passport holders are not included in New Zealand's visa-waiver country list.

• An Indian applicant will generally need to obtain a Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand.

• The current Visitor Visa page lists an application fee from NZD $441.

• Immigration New Zealand currently lists 80% of Visitor Visa applications as processed within 2 weeks. Processing times can change.

• The Visitor Visa permits study for up to 3 months, subject to the visa conditions.

3. Visitor Visa requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• A valid passport and identity documents.

• Evidence of the purpose of travel, such as WITT course registration or confirmation.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for accommodation, meals, transport and other expenses, or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of plans to leave New Zealand at the end of the visit.

• Any required health and character information.

• Any additional documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that visitors funding their own stay generally need at least NZD $1,000 per month, or NZD $400 per month if accommodation has already been paid for. Funds for onward travel must be available separately.

4. Work conditions

• A Visitor Visa does not permit employment in New Zealand.

• Attending this course does not provide work rights.

• Participants must comply with the conditions stated on their visa.

5. Student Visa

A Fee Paying Student Visa is generally required for study lasting more than 3 months with an approved education provider. This two-day course alone does not establish a need or eligibility for a student visa. If the participant plans to undertake additional study in New Zealand, the visa requirements should be checked against the full study plan.