Certificate in Construction

The Certificate in Construction course covers carpentry theory, elementary construction skills, health and safety, drawing and practical construction skills.  Every class builds a house from scratch, with practical sessions being alternated with classroom learning.  Classes are 3 days per week and students are encouraged to seek work experience with an employer for the other 2 days.  There are also 3 x 2 week breaks where students are encouraged to complete work experience. This course allows students to work through many of the theory units required for their building apprenticeship, which should help them get through their apprenticeship faster.

FCS101

A minimum of 5 credits is required from the following

24361    Apply mathematical processes to BCATS projects

24362    Demonstrate knowledge of working drawings and specifications for building work

FCS102

A minimum of 25 credits is required from the following

13008    Demonstrate knowledge of formwork for footings, foundations, beams and walls up to 1.2 metres

13006    Demonstrate knowledge of preparation for footings and slab on ground construction

13009    Demonstrate knowledge of fabrication and placing of reinforcing steel and steel mesh

13032    Demonstrate knowledge of non-mechanical and mechanical construction equipment

24380    Demonstrate knowledge of construction of pile foundations

24381    Demonstrate knowledge of floor framing and flooring construction

24382    Demonstrate knowledge of setting out, assembling and erecting timber and steel wall frames

24383    Demonstrate knowledge of equal pitch gable, and hip, timber and steel roof construction

FCS103

A minimum of 15 credits is required from the following

12998    Demonstrate knowledge of carpentry hand tools

13000    Demonstrate knowledge of portable power tools used on construction sites

13002    Demonstrate knowledge of timber used in construction

13015    Demonstrate knowledge of construction subcontractors' work and main contractor's responsibilities

13023    Demonstrate knowledge of selection and installation of mechanical fixings and building hardware

13028    Demonstrate knowledge of adhesives and sealants used in construction work

FCS104

A minimum of 15 credits is required from the following

2436       Demonstrate knowledge of compliance with building legislation

12999    Demonstrate knowledge of timber machining equipment used on construction sites

13004    Demonstrate knowledge of setting out a building

13005    Demonstrate knowledge of spot levels and contour plans

13010    Demonstrate knowledge of making and placing concrete

FCS105

A minimum of 15 credits is required from the following

13019    Demonstrate knowledge of the installation of metal and translucent roof claddings and roof lights

24386    Demonstrate knowledge of thermal insulation and sound control for buildings

24388    Demonstrate knowledge of cutting, fitting and fixing interior linings and trim

24378    Perform building calculations

24379    Demonstrate knowledge of preliminary work needed for construction

FCS106

A minimum of 15 credits is required from the following

12997    Demonstrate knowledge of safe working practices on construction sites

13016    Demonstrate knowledge of the erection and dismantling of scaffolding up to five metres in height

13037    Safely use and maintain carpentry hand tools on site

13038    Safely use and maintain bench saws to machine timber on site

26551    Provide first aid for life threatening conditions

26552    Demonstrate knowledge of common first aid conditions and how to respond to them

FCS107

A minimum of 30 credits is required from the following

9184       Erect and dismantle non-notifiable prefabricated frame scaffolding up to five metres in height

12932    Construct timber garden furniture and items of basic construction equipment as a BCATS project

13039    Safely use and maintain portable power tools and attachments for construction work on site

15757    Use, install and disestablish proprietary fall arrest systems when working at height

24353    Demonstrate knowledge of and create sketches and drawings for BCATS projects

Graduates of this programme will have the knowledge and skills required to enter the construction industry, and be able to employ safe working practices appropriate to the construction sector, and be competent in a wide range of carpentry theory knowledge, and elementary construction skills.

• Desire to work in the construction industry
• Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age with three years secondary education
• School leavers should have attained a minimum of 12 credits at NCEA level one in both numeracy and literacy
• Mature students (20 years or over) are welcome
• Sponsored students with a letter of intent will have automatic entry

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme, and to be eligible for award of the qualification “Certificate in Construction”, they must have:

• Completed required practical and theoretical course work and assignments.
• Attended for not less than 80% of the timetabled class hours and other schedule learning activities.
• Shown competence in the programme modules, to a minimum of 120 credits.