The New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) is a three-year full-time managed apprenticeship which helps learners develop all required aspects of the carpentry trade. The programme requires learners to be employed in the construction industry with an employer supporting their practical work experience. Instruction includes one evening class per week with onsite verification of skills by employers and tutors. The qualification encompasses building science, hand and power tool use, scaffolding, concrete and steel work, structures, envelopment, interiors, legislation, and first aid. Graduates become qualified carpenters able to pursue further construction trades supervision or management studies or roles.

Course Content

• Core skills 1: Safe use of carpentry hand tools and equipment (20 credits)

• Core skills 2: Use of hand tools, power tools and scaffolding (20 credits)

• Legislation: Safety, quality and compliance legislation in building industry (20 credits)

• Basic industry skills: Reading plans, measuring, calculating quantities, framing principles (20 credits)

• Building science 1: Thermal/acoustic insulation, adhesives, construction programming (16 credits)

• First aid with certification (4 credits)

• Building science 2: Weather tightness, concrete, retaining walls (20 credits)

• Foundations 1: Site establishment and foundations (20 credits)

• Concrete and steel: Placing reinforcing steel and concrete onsite (20 credits)

• Structures 1: Wall framing, roof framing, trusses (20 credits)

• Envelopment 1: Exterior claddings, joinery and hardware installation (20 credits)

• Core skills 3: Preliminary work and building set out (25 credits)

• Foundations 2: Constructing foundations (25 credits)

• Structures 2: Constructing building structures (25 credits)

• Envelopment 2: Cladding fixing and joinery installation (25 credits)

• Interiors: Installing insulation, linings, and trims (20 credits)