New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade)

This programme comprises 320 credits.

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:

NCEA Level 2

OR
New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry)

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

Not applicable.

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.

The students entering the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry Level 4 programme who have already completed the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) L3 programme successfully can have the matched courses recognised as prior learning.

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.