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New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade)

New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade)

Level 4

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Become a qualified carpenter in UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry.

A photograph of a UCOL student measuring a piece of wood
Quick info

Level: 4

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: Four years, part-time

Dates:
15 Feb 2021 - 06 Dec 2021
26 Jul 2021 - 13 May 2022

Domestic Fees: *
Eligible for fees-free until 31 Dec 2022Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
Not applicable.

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

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To successfully complete this programme of study, candidates must be employed in the carpentry industry at the time of study and must be supervised by someone willing to support their training. We welcome your enquiry.
 

Gain the practical skills and knowledge required to work unsupervised, to construct, repair and install building structures to the level required of a commercially competent carpenter with UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry. 

This programme is eligible for fees-free study under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund.


You don’t need to apply to access the fund - just enrol in an eligible programme, and the TTAF process will take care of the fees until 31 December 2022.

Please contact the info centre for more details.

 Career & Study Outcomes

Graduates of this qualification will be qualified carpenters.  They may go on to further roles such as site supervision, project management, contracts management, quantity surveying, business owner, building inspection and assessment, tutor or training advisor.

Education pathway
Graduates who wish to further specialise can enrol in:

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries, see Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Occupation Outlook for Carpenters & joiners and Construction Workers.

 Course Information

Year 1

Workplace Safety Fundamentals (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learn to work safely in a construction environment. The course covers health and safety legislation, the New Zealand Building Code, licensing requirements, employment legislation, Resource Management Act, local bylaws, and safe working practices.

Core Construction Communication Skills (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learn core construction and communication skills, including:

  • Communication skills - receiving and following instructions; team work; communication techniques; contribution to toolbox meetings; gathering and presentation of evidence of trade-related experiences; self-management; and cultural awareness.
  • Introductory knowledge and skills relevant to specifications and drawings - basic plan drawings such as elevations, plan view, sections, details, North compass orientation and site plans; and simple project specifications including quality, materials, finishes, safety, and performance requirements.
  • Calculationss - area; linear length; volume; angles; triangle and rectangular lengths; using formulae to calculate numerical problems; percentage; GST; and wastage.
  • Quantities for materials simple projects.

Preliminary Works for Construction Activity (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learn to prepare a building site for building work. The course covers environmental and legal requirements of a building site; creation of a site establishment plan to prepare for construction activities; building set out; calculations; demolition process; waste management; specific roles and works of sub contractors; levelling equipment; and terminology/numeracy.

Skill Development for Construction (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Learn safe practical skills for building work.

Year 2 - 4

Sub Structure Task Development in Concrete and Timber (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Develop practical capability in foundation and floor systems for building works. The course covers formwork, reinforcing, concrete, piles, block work, suspended timber floors slab on ground, retaining walls, and deck construction with access.

Structural Task Development for Construction (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Develop practical capability in foundation and floor systems for building works. The course covers propriety bracing system, timber/metal framing, structural steel, and framing pre nail.

Roof Structural Task Development for Construction (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Develop practical capability in roof structure for building work. The course covers prefabricated and loose components for timber/metal roofs, roof finishings, roof bracing/fixings for roof structures, and ceiling battens and penetrations.

Exterior Envelope Task Development for Construction (15 credits) (100 practical learning hours)
Develop practical capability in weather tightness for building works. Learn about cavity systems, exterior joinery and accessories, weather tight cladding systems, and roofing.

Interior Fit out Task Development for Construction (15 credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learn to fit out interiors for building work.  The course covers straightening internal walls for linings, fitting thermal insulation, sound insulation systems fitting internal lights, internal joinery components, interior trim, and building hardware and documentation.

Construct Support Structure (15 credits) (120 practical learning hours)
Learn to construct concrete and timber structures. The course covers formwork, reinforcing concrete, piles, false work, bracing and formwork masonry blockwork, timber flooring, slab and concrete, and retaining walls.

Prepare a Site for Building Work (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Learn to prepare a construction site for building work. The course covers building work documentation, demolition, waste management, and site establishment.

Frame and Roof Structures (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Learn to construct frame and roof structures. The course covers prefabricated wall frames, loose framing, prefabricated beams, roof finishes, fixings and bracing, ceiling framing and ceiling penetrations, wall framing, and roofing calculations.

Exterior Envelope (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Learn to complete an exterior envelope for building work. The course covers:

  • Storage of exterior cladding materials on site
  • Roofing
  • Straightening exterior walls
  • Fit wrap and sill tapes
  • Cladding materials
  • Working platforms
  • Flashing systems
  • Exterior cladding
  • Exterior joinery
  • Openings
  • Weather tightness systems and air seals

Interior Lining and Finishing (15 credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Learn to prepare and fit out an internal environment. The course covers:

  • Internal wall and ceiling linings
  • Thermal insulation
  • Sound insulation system
  • Bracing elements
  • Internal linings
  • Compliance for inspection
  • Measuring and ordering joinery components
  • Installation of joinery
  • Trim to wall, ceiling and floor functions
  • Joinery finishings installed

 

Supervision on Site (15 credits) (100 practical learning hours)
Learn to supervise building work on site. The course covers managing and supervising site safety, planning and supervising building work, and erecting and inspecting scaffolding up to five metres.

Project Management for Building Work (10 credits) (10 practical learning hours)
Learn to plan for building work on site. The course covers construction process planning, measuring and ordering materials for construction, site specific safety planning, building law and contracts, and tender quotations.

Support Structures for Building Work (15 credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Learn to identify the requirements for support structures and floor systems for construction. The course covers:

  • Excavations and fill
  • Raft foundations
  • Framed floors
  • Reinforcing
  • Pile and poles for foundations
  • Concrete
  • Deck construction
  • Timber retaining wall
  • Timber ramps
  • Masonry retaining wall
  • Slab on ground
  • Retaining wall drainage system
  • Ring foundations

Frames and Structures for Building Work (15 credits) (30 practical learning hours)
Learn the requirements to construct wall structures. The course covers:

  • Timber framing, prenail, loose 
  • Steel framing, prefabricated, loose 
  • Structural steel beams
  • Masonry block walls 
  • Laminated beams
  • Insitu concrete walls, columns, beams 
  • Precast panels, columns, beams 
  • Falsework
  • Portal frames

Roof Structures for Building Work (15 credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Learn the requirements to construct roof structures. The course covers:

  • Timber/metal pre-fabricated truss roofs, hip and gable 
  • Pitched and skillion roofs, hip and gable
  • Flat roofs and boxed gutters
  • Soffit, verge and valley framing 
  • Ceiling battens, metal, timber
  • Bracing/roof penetrations/sarking

Interior Linings and Finishing for Building Work (15 credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Learn the requirements to fit out the interior of a building. The course covers:

  • Pre lining checks/straightening/installation of bracing and linings 
  • Thermal and sound 
  • Insulation
  • Internal joinery and stairs 
  • Finishing trim
  • Building hardware and door furniture

Exterior Envelope Roof (10 credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Learn the requirements for roof cladding systems. The course covers roofing types, materials and their characteristics; preparation for roofing and roofing subcontractors; and installation of long run roofing and accessories.

Exterior Envelope Cladding (15 credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Learn the requirements for weather tight cladding systems. The course covers:

  • Preparation and installation of cavity systems 
  • Calculations for sheet and lineal cladding materials 
  • Cladding materials and junctions to meet compliance
  • Installation process for sheet and lineal board cladding systems 
  • Processes to install exterior joinery
  • Integration of exterior joinery accessories with cladding systems


Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:
  • National Certificate in Carpentry

 Learning Facilities

The Regional Trades and Technology Centre in our Palmerston North campus has the latest industry fit equipment and teaching technology, complete with an indoor space large enough to build a 3-bedroom house.

 Domestic Entry Requirements

NCEA Level 2

OR
New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry)

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see UCOL's NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

Not applicable.

 Advice & Guidance

UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry comprises 320 credits.

This qualification supports the knowledge and skill requirements of the Carpentry class of the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme.

Work experience
To successfully complete this programme of study, candidates must be employed in the carpentry industry at time of study and must be supervised by someone willing to support their training.

Candidates must enter into a 3-way training agreement between the candidate, employer and UCOL.

Students will complete the practical learning in their own place of employment, or at a site agreed to by both parties, the student and the employer. 

The students will be visited on a regular basis by carpentry lecturers from UCOL. 

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 student believes all learning outcomes for a course or unit standards have already been met.

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.

 Additional Costs

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade):
  • Steel cap boots $100 
  • Scientific calculator $30
  • Drawing equipment - set squares (45 and 60 degree), pencils (H and 2H), soft rubber, compass, and scale rule (1:5, 1:10, 1:20 etc) $60

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989, and Universal College of Learning (UCOL) Trading as Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is accredited to teach it.

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