Programme overview
Become knowledgeable about the basic principles and practices for general construction, including calculations, communications, health and safety, site-safe passports, first aid, and hand power tools.
In the first four weeks (30 credits) of this programme, you’ll develop the essential skills required for a career in the building industry. For most of this programme (additional 90 credits), you’ll focus on the carpentry strand. If you want to become a builder, this is the ideal study path before entering a carpentry apprenticeship and/ or employment; most employers prefer apprentices with some prior training. In carpentry, you’ll learn the pre-apprenticeship skills needed to become a carpenter in a practical on-site building project by building a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house.
This is the NZQA-aligned standard across New Zealand in pre-apprenticeship carpentry training. Once completed, you can cross-credit 800 practical hours of carpentry apprenticeship training as you continue your training to become a trade-qualified carpenter in the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry.
Highlights
- Build a house from start to finish.
- Practical projects using a variety of hand tools, portable tools, and machines
- Learn in Unitec’s brand new purpose-built trades building, Mataaho, with new, top-of-the-line machinery.
- Designed to prepare students who haven’t had previous tertiary training for employment in the building industry or building-related trades
- Obtain basic trade skills for anything from DIY jobs to pre-apprenticeship carpentry skills in preparation for employment and/or apprenticeship.
- Work in teams and on collaborative projects similar to what you’ll undertake when in the workforce
Qualification and What's Next
Once you’ve completed this programme, you’ll receive the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills. From here, you can enter the workforce as an apprentice carpenter or assistant in the building industry. You can also go on to further study in your apprenticeship with the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry.
Funding your study
We have scholarships and fees free options that are specifically created to support you in maintaining your ongoing course of study.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
You must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement for the semester, and you’ll need to:
- Applicants must have NCEA Level 1, including 10 credits each in English (reading and writing) and Mathematics; Or
- Demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills to indicate the ability to study at Level 3.
If English is not your first language, you will need one or more of the following:
- Gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand university entrance requirements
- Evidence of an overall IELTS (General or Academic) band score of at least 5 in each band; Or
- Equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify.
- You may also be eligible for special or discretionary admission.
Simply apply online, and we’ll be in touch about your next steps.
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Skills for Construction Trades (CIBC3512) | 10 credits (0.083 EFTS) | To enable the student to identify and apply a range of introductory communication, specification and drawings, and calculation skills that underpin effective practice in the construction industry. |
| Carpentry Terminology and Concepts (Sem A) (CIBC3513-SA) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To introduce students to fundamental carpentry concepts and terminology when carrying out carpentry tasks. |
| Carpentry Terminology and Concepts (Sem B) (CIBC3513-SB) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To introduce students to fundamental carpentry concepts and terminology when carrying out carpentry tasks. |
| Building Technology and Properties (Sem A) (CIBC3514-SA) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To enable students to understand basic building technology, the properties of timber, steel and composite products, interior and exterior linings and fixings and apply this knowledge to carpentry projects. |
| Building Technology and Properties (Sem B) (CIBC3514-SB) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To enable students to understand basic building technology, the properties of timber, steel and composite products, interior and exterior linings and fixings and apply this knowledge to carpentry projects. |
| Construction and Installation Processes and Techniques (Sem A) (CIBC3515-SA) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To enable students to identify and apply a range of construction and installation processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks. |
| Construction and Installation Processes and Techniques (Sem B) (CIBC3515-SB) | 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) | To enable students to identify and apply a range of construction and installation processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks. |
| Carpentry Project Preliminaries (CIBC3516) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to complete a carpentry project that focuses on preliminary work and consent and compliance requirements. |
| Carpentry Project - Foundations and Support Structures (CIBC3517) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to identify and carry out foundation and support structure work within the context of a defined carpentry project. |
| Carpentry Project - Frames, Structures and Exterior Envelope (Sem A) (CIBC3518-SA) | 7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS) | To enable students to complete frame and related structures and exterior envelope work for a defined carpentry project. |
| Carpentry Project - Frames, Structures and Exterior Envelope (Sem B) (CIBC3518-SB) | 7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS) | To enable students to complete frame and related structures and exterior envelope work for a defined carpentry project. |
| Carpentry Project - Interior Linings and Finishing (CIBC3519) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to complete interior lining and finishing work and investigate and comply with consenting, quality and compliance requirements for a defined carpentry project. |
| Workplace Safety Framework and Practices (Sem A) (CIBC3911-SA) | 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) | To introduce students to the legislative framework and requirements for workplace safety in the construction industry and to select and consistently apply safe working practices. |
| Workplace Safety Framework and Practices (Sem B) (CIBC3911-SB) | 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) | To introduce students to the legislative framework and requirements for workplace safety in the construction industry and to select and consistently apply safe working practices. |
