New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry)

Providing you with the practical skills and knowledge to kick-start your career in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing industries, this programme teaches you the essentials of health and safety, trade mathematics, hand tools, and building technology, which you will then put to practise with real-life projects.

You’ll graduate work-ready with transferable skills for a wide range of construction trades that are sought after by employers.

This programme runs for 42 weeks, including 6 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

21 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings, workshop practicals and builds, and timetable set by your lecturer.

Study Time

12 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time or possibly by paper. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

This programme comprises 120 credits.

Workplace Safety Frameworks and Practices (20 Credits)

Ākonga will learn about the broad legislative frameworks that regulate the construction industry and the requirements for workplace safety in the construction industry. Learners are exposed to construction environments where they are able to apply their knowledge of safe working practices and the legislative framework and develop effective communication skills. After this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the broad legislative frameworks that regulate the construction industry and the requirements for workplace safety in the construction industry.

• Apply effective communication skills when working with colleagues and customers within the construction industry.

• Apply safe working practices and basic legislative knowledge applicable to work in the construction industry.

Skills for Construction Trades (10 Credits)

Ākonga will learn how to interpret and use construction specifications and drawings. Learners will develop calculation skills that underpin construction practices in the industry. After this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret and use specifications and drawings to complete simple construction projects.

• Perform simple calculations to complete a range of familiar tasks in the construction sector.

Carpentry Terminology and Job Role Knowledge (10 Credits)

Ākonga will learn fundamental carpentry concepts and carpentry terminology when carrying out carpentry tasks. After this course, you will be able to:

• Recognise and apply fundamental carpentry concepts when carrying out carpentry work.

• Use correct carpentry terminology when working with building plans, working drawings and specifications.

• Use correct carpentry terminology when undertaking carpentry calculations.

Building Assembly Techniques and Properties of Building Materials (10 Credits)

Ākonga will learn a broad range of basic building techniques and properties of building materials/products and linings used in various carpentry projects. After this course, you will be able to:

• Explain a range of basic building technologies and assembly techniques used in carpentry projects.

• Outline the properties of building materials/products and linings and fixings used in various carpentry projects.

Construction and Installation Processes and Techniques (10 Credits)

Ākonga will learn a range of construction and installation processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks. After this course, you will be able to:

• Use a range of construction processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks.

• Describe and employ correct installation processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks.

Carpentry Project Preliminaries (15 Credits)

Learners will complete a carpentry project focusing on preliminary work and consent and compliance requirements. After this course, you will be able to:

• Carry out appropriate preliminary work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and other compliance requirements.

Carpentry Project Foundations and Support Structures (15 Credits)

Learners will carry out foundation and support structure work and meet compliance requirements for a defined carpentry project. After this course, you will be able to:

• Complete foundations work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and compliance requirements.

• Complete support structure work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and compliance requirements.

Carpentry Project Frames, Structures and Exterior Envelope (15 Credits)

Learners will carry out frames, structures and exterior envelope work in accordance with compliance requirements for a defined carpentry project. After this course, you will be able to:

• Carry out the appropriate frame and related structures work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and other compliance requirements.

• Complete exterior envelope work structures for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and other compliance requirements.

Carpentry Project Interior Linings and Finishing (15 Credits)

Learners will complete interior lining and finishing work and meet compliance requirements for a defined carpentry project. After this course, you will be able to:

• Complete interior lining work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and other compliance requirements.

• Complete interior finishing work for a defined carpentry project in accordance with consenting, quality and other compliance requirements.

The Regional Trades and Technology Centre in our Palmerston North campus is a state-of-the-art ten million dollar facility, with the latest industry fit equipment and teaching technology, complete with an indoor space large enough to build a 3-bedroom house.

The Masterton Construction Workshop, an indoor workspace large enough to build a 3-bedroom house.

NCEA Level 1

OR

Equivalent academic achievement.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.0 with no band score less than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

English language proficiency

International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.0 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning is accredited to teach it.

Successful graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) (Level 3) can further specialise in carpentry by enrolling in New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4).

Graduates entering the industry will be ready to find an apprenticeship or entry-level jobs in the building and construction sector. You will be able to execute your work with limited supervision.

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Carpenters and Joiners, Construction Workers and Quantity Surveyors, visit tahatu.govt.nz

UCOL staff are well connected to our stakeholders. We will prepare you for the workplace and help manage your apprenticeship.

To successfully complete this programme, you need to be aware of the physical demands required for this career pathway.

Work experience

There is no work experience component as part of this programme.

Attendance

To optimise chances of learner success, 100% attendance is strongly recommended.

Equipments

Learners must supply their own equipment as specified in the Student Handbook.

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Previous related programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:

• Certificate in Carpentry

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills:

• Steel cap boots $100 - $150

• Scientific calculator $30