New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills

NMIT is part of Te Pūkenga

This means that you will now graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification. Read more
Locations and dates
No start dates are currently available. Register to be informed when new dates are added.
Study options

Full-time
Length

Carpentry strand: 40 weeks full-time - 34 teaching weeks plus 6 holiday weeks. Joinery strand: 30 weeks full-time - 26 teaching weeks plus 4 holiday weeks.
Total credits

120
Fees

2023: Carpentry Strand (120 credits) - $6,696 plus $240 Student Services Levy; Joinery Strand (90 credits) - $5,022 plus $180 Student Services Levy

A Compulsory Student Services Levy applies ($2 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.
National qualification code

NZ2834

Get your building career off to a great start with a qualification that prepares you for the workforce.

Set yourself up for an apprenticeship or entry-level job in the building and construction industry with these popular programmes.

Carpentry suits students who enjoy working outdoors on large-scale construction projects. Joinery is more suited to students who have an eye for detail and enjoy working with precise measurements. Both specialisations have excellent job prospects in New Zealand and globally.

As a graduate, you will be qualified to work as an entry-level construction site worker, pre-cut factory worker, and in the retail sector of the construction and joinery industries or drafting or architectural roles.

The qualification will also assist you in obtaining an apprenticeship. Many students are offered an apprenticeship before completion of the programme due to the training undertaken and the relationship the tutors have directly with employers region-wide.

NMIT’s tutors are qualified building practitioners with extensive industry experience and our top-notch facilities include a carpentry barn and an enclosed construction yard.

Our students are strongly represented in the regional and national Apprentice of the Year competition, which speaks to the real-world education available at NMIT.

The programme is supported by the Industry Training Association Building (ITaB) scheme and the BCITO.

You can choose to specialise in:

Carpentry: This programme sets people up for various careers in the construction sector, including but not limited to residential and commercial construction, renovations, drafting/architecture and sales representative.

This qualification will assist you in obtaining an apprenticeship and completing the practical requirements towards the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)(external link). The credits achieved in this Level 3 Programme (if successfully completed) will be able to be transferred over to our Level 4 Apprenticeship Programme, meaning there is potential for the duration of your apprenticeship to be reduced by a year.
Joinery: If you want to build panel products and the wooden components of buildings like stairs, kitchens, doors and fittings, the Joinery strand is for you.

Entry requirements

This programme has no minimum academic requirements

English language requirements

If you have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance, you are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.

If English is not your first language you may also be required to provide evidence of your English language skills as listed below.

If they have no evidence of their English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, contact NMIT for an assessment.

• IELTS 5.5 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in any subtest). For acceptable alternatives refer to the English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.

Note:
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Selection

This programme has a limited number of places due to workshop constraints and health and safety requirements.

All applicants will be assessed for suitability for this programme prior to enrolment, which may include demonstrating proficiency in literacy, numeracy and basic computer skills. Applicants may also be asked to participate in an interview.

Acceptance on the programme is at the discretion of the Curriculum Manager or delegate.

Applicants will be provided with programme information to ensure the applicant is aware of the programme content, assessment policies and entry requirements.

Career opportunities & pathways

Once you graduate, you can follow safe working practices in a carpentry workshop and perform basic operations with hand, power and machine tools.

Upon completion of this Programme, you will have extensive career opportunities in the Construction and Joinery sectors.

Graduates of this Programme have forged successful careers in the following:

Qualified Builder
Project management
Quantity Surveying
Drafting and architecture
Product and tool sales representatives
Assembly and fabrication
Construction/Joinery business owner

You will be qualified to work as entry-level construction site workers, pre-cut factory workers and in the retail sector of the building and construction industry.

You can complete your apprenticeship through NMIT as part of the NMIT Managed Apprenticeship programme.

Structure and timetable