If you enjoy hands-on learning, UCOL’s construction and build environment qualifications will give you the necessary skills.
We are proud of over a century’s tradition of producing skilled trades professionals for the Manawatū and Whanganui region. Our million-dollar trades facility is a modern training centre sprawling across a 5315 square metre area with the latest industry-approved equipment and specialised workshops for construction, carpentry, furniture, and joinery. At UCOL, you work on real-world projects, industry work placements and apprenticeships. It is an absolute joy to see houses built by our students getting transported to the buyers’ location.
We understand that learning requirements vary by individual and have made our programmes flexible with face-to-face, online and in-work learning modes. In addition, we have various funding and scholarship options to lift the financial burden off you.
So, if you are seeking building and construction courses, carpentry and joinery courses or an architecture degree, explore the programmes below and feel free to talk to us!

Furniture Design

Furniture Design
Diplomas
Level 5
Duration: 2 years, full-time
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Carpentry & Joinery

Carpentry & Joinery
Certificates
Level 4
Duration: 4 years part-time (40 weeks each year)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 4
Duration: 3 - 4 years full-time (40 weeks each year)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 3
Duration: 1 year full-time (42 weeks)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
August
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Horowhenua Levin, Taumarunui, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton, Marton (based at Ngati Apa site)
Level 3
Duration: 20 weeks full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 2
Duration: 13 weeks full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Jul/Oct
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 2 & 3
Duration:
Start:
February
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton, Ōtaki
Level 2
Duration: 2 days per week for 7 months
Start:
March
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Construction & Architecture

Construction & Architecture
Diplomas
Level 6
Duration: 2 years full-time (42 weeks each year)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 6
Duration: 2 years full-time (42 weeks each year)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Certificates
Level 4
Duration: 1 year part-time (42 weeks)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 2
Duration: One day per week for six weeks (Monday).
Start:
May/Jul
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
Level 3
Duration: 1 day a week
Delivery day - Fridays
Start:
February
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 3
Duration: 1 day a week
Start:
February
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 3
Duration: One day per week over five week (Wednesday).
Start:
TBC
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Infrastructure Works

Infrastructure Works
Certificates
Level 2
Duration: 14 weeks, full-time
Start:
Mar 2023
Location: Tararua
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 2
Duration: 18 weeks
Start:
March
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North & Tararua

Security

Security
Certificates
Level 3
Duration: 19 weeks full-time
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui
Level 4
Duration: 19 weeks full-time
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui

Plumbing, Gasfitting, & Drainlaying

Plumbing, Gasfitting, & Drainlaying
Certificates
Level 3
Duration: 23 weeks full-time
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
May/Jul
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 2
Duration: 1 day a week
Start:
February
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North