New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade)

Note: As a business division of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions, call an enrollment advisor at 0800 468 265.

This programme comprises 320 credits. 

Year 1

Workplace Safety Fundamentals (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to work safely in a construction environment. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and locate appropriate legislation relevant to specific tasks in the construction industry.
  
• Apply safe working practices when completing tasks in a construction environment.
  
• Ensure a safe work environment is maintained for the duration of the task.
  

Core Construction Communication Skills (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn core construction and communication skills. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret basic drawings and specifications to complete simple construction tasks.
  
• Perform calculations to solve simple problems in a construction environment.
• Communicate effectively in a construction environment.
  

Preliminary Works for Construction Activity (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to prepare a building site for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Prepare a building site for construction to meet plans and specifications.
  
• Set up and operate levelling equipment to establish levels on a building site.
  
• Use literacy and numeracy to interpret drawings and set out a building site.
  
• Define sub-contractor's roles in construction.
  
• Prepare a site for demolition in line with industry requirements.

Skill Development for Construction (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn safe practical skills for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Accurately measure and cut materials to specified dimensions.
  
• Excavate and prepare the base for a building site in line with plans and specifications.
  
• Load and safely stack construction materials in line with industry best practices.
  
• Dismantle and remove construction materials in line with industry best practices.
  
• Install propriety fixings according to manufacturer’s specification.
  

Year 2 - 4

Sub Structure Task Development in Concrete and Timber (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learners will develop practical capabilities in foundation and floor systems for building works. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Build substructures in a construction environment.
  
• Construct solid and suspended floor systems on-site.
  
• Use specifications to construct a retaining wall.

Structural Task Development for Construction (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Leaners will develop practical capabilities in foundation and floor systems for building works. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Manufacture and assemble loose timber structures in a construction environment.
  
• Fit proprietary beams and connections on site.
  
• Erect prefabricated timber-framed structures on site using documentation.
  

Roof Structural Task Development for Construction (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learners will develop practical capabilities in roof structure for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use calculations to build pitched and flat roof structures in a construction environment.
  
• Set out and safely erect prefabricated roof structures on site.

Exterior Envelope Task Development for Construction (15 Credits) (100 practical learning hours)
Learners will develop practical capability in weather tightness for building works. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Construct cavity drainage systems.
  
• Fit exterior joinery in a construction environment.
  
• Seal exterior joinery and cladding on a construction site.
  
• Fix exterior claddings and trim in a construction environment.
  
• Fix long-run roof cladding and flashings in a construction environment.

Interior Fit out Task Development for Construction (15 Credits) (50 practical learning hours)
Learners will develop the practical capability to fit out interiors for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Prepare structure and fit insulation for wall linings in a construction environment.
  
• Fix interior linings and a sound control system.
  
• Install joinery fixtures in a construction environment.
  
• Fix interior trim and hardware furniture.
  

Construct Support Structure (15 Credits) (120 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to construct concrete and timber structures. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use documentation to build a concrete substructure and floor system on site.
  
• Use documentation to assemble a timber substructure and flooring system on site.
  
• Construct a timber retaining wall.
  

Prepare a Site for Building Work (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn documentation to prepare a construction site for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use documentation to set out and prepare a site for building work.
  
• Plan and safely carry out demolition work in preparation for construction activity.

Frame and Roof Structures (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to construct frame and roof structures. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Calculate, set out, manufacture and erect timber or metal roof framing in a construction environment.
  
• Set out, erect and brace prefabricated timber or metal roof framing according to documentation.
  
• Use documentation to fix prefabricated beams, assemble roof finishings, penetrations and ceiling components on site.
  

Exterior Envelope (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to complete an exterior envelope for building work. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use a specification to install long-run roofing and flashings.
  
• Use documentation to build a cavity system on site.
  
• Install exterior joinery on site.
  
• Fabricate sheet and linea cladding systems from a specification.
  

Interior Lining and Finishing (15 Credits) (80 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to prepare and fit out an internal environment. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Prepare walls and ceilings for lining on site.
  
• Use a specification to install interior linings, sound system and trim on site.
  
• Install interior joinery, door furniture and finishings in a construction environment.

Supervision on Site (15 Credits) (100 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to supervise building work on-site. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Manage and supervise site safety.
  
• Plan and supervise building work.
  
• Erect and inspect scaffolding up to 5 metres.
  

Project Management for Building Work (10 Credits) (10 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to plan for building work on site. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Plan building work and safety aspects of a construction project.
  
• Quantify a table of materials for a construction project.
  
• Apply introductory building law and contracts for a sole trader working in construction.
  

Support Structures for Building Work (15 Credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn to identify the requirements for support structures and floor systems for construction. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the materials and construction process for timber and concrete support structures.
  
• Describe the materials and construction process for timber and concrete floor systems.
• Outline the best practice and construction process for a retaining wall.

Frames and Structures for Building Work (15 Credits) (30 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn the requirements to construct wall structures. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the processes to fabricate and erect timber-framed structures.
  
• Use a manufacturer’s specification to explain the construction light gauge steel frame structures for residential buildings.
• List the best practices and processes to construct masonry structures for residential building work.
• Discuss the manufacturer’s / engineer’s specifications for the installation of prefabricated beams in construction.
• Outline the recommended best practices to construct in situ and precast concrete, including the installation of manufactured precast structural and floor systems.
  

Roof Structures for Building Work (15 Credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn the requirements to construct roof structures. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the processes to fabricate and erect timber roof framed structures.
  
• Use a manufacturer’s specification to plan the installation of prefabricated timber/light gauge steel roof structures.
• Describe the recommended best practices to complete roof finishing components, roof bracing, ceiling framing, roof penetrations for roof structures.
  

Interior Linings and Finishing for Building Work (15 Credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn the requirements to fit out the interior of a building. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Outline the procedures to prepare and install interior linings and trim.
  
• Identify thermal and sound insulation systems for use in residential construction.
• Describe the fundamental components and installation of internal joinery.
• Use the manufacturer’s specifications and best practices for the installation of building hardware and door furniture.
  

Exterior Envelope Roof (10 Credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn the requirements for roof cladding systems. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the preparation and installation for long run roofing material.
  
• Identify and list the recommended best practice to install roofing accessories.
  

Exterior Envelope Cladding (15 Credits) (20 practical learning hours)
Ākonga will learn the requirements for weather-tight cladding systems. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry)
• New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology
• New Zealand Diploma in Construction

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.

NCEA Level 2
OR
New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) (Level 3)
OR
Equivalent academic achievement.
OR
On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

This programme of study is not open to international learners.

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 Te Pūkenga.

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

The learners will be visited on a regular basis by carpentry lecturers from UCOL Te Pūkenga.

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 have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

The learners 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.

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

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning, a business division of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.