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 house.
This is the NZQA-aligned standard across New Zealand in pre-apprenticeship carpentry training. Once completed, you can cross-credit 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 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 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.
Learn more on how to start your journey as an apprentice click Building and Construction apprenticeship
Admission requirements
To enter this programme, you’ll need to have the following:
Open Entry - There are no academic requirements for this programme.
English language requirements
All applicants for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme. International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.
Domestic learners who have completed the majority or all of their education in New Zealand are deemed to have met this requirement.
Don’t meet these requirements?
We have a range of Foundation and Bridging Education programmes to help you prepare for further academic study.
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace Safety Fundamentals (CARP3001TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to work safely in a construction trades environment. |
| Core Construction and Communication Skills (CARP3002TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to utilise core construction and communication skills. |
| Preliminary Works for Construction (CARP3101TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the preparation of a building site for a construction project. |
| Support Structures for Building Work (CARP3102TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the construction of for support structures and floor systems. |
| Wall Structures for Building Work (CARP3103TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the construction of wall structures. |
| Roof Structures for Building Work (CARP3104TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the construction of roof structures. |
| Exterior Envelope (CARP3105TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the installation of exterior envelope systems. |
| Interior Linings and Finishing (CARP3106TP) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to participate in the fit out of the interior of a building. |
