New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)

Want to become a qualified carpenter?

This ITAB managed apprenticeship is ideal if you are already employed in the construction industry but don’t yet have a formal building qualification. You’ll combine both theory and practical workshop knowledge, through attending block courses at NorthTec, with on-the-job training from your employer.

Looking for pre-trade training? Check out our Level 2 and Level 3 construction courses. 

About ITAB

ITAB is an initiative of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand that combines the best of the professional skills taught by polytechnics with the practical, on-the-job training given by employer builders. ITAB provides 8000 hours of extensive practical experience and solid theoretical training giving apprentices a broad set of valuable professional skills. For more information, visit www.itab.co.nz

Applicants or their employers do NOT have to be members of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand.

This qualification supports the knowledge and skill requirements of the Carpentry class of the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme.

What you will learn

Theory units are delivered in small tutorial groups backed up with practical workshop experience. There will be time-tabled on-site visits and assessment of practical units.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

• Understand and apply a broad practical working knowledge of the fundamentals required in the carpentry trade in order to undertake all carpentry work, including; tools and equipment, materials, the legislative framework, regulatory requirements, drawings and specifications, building types, methods of construction, building science, building mathematics, and communication.

• Competently plan and carry out all aspects of establishing and maintaining construction sites including preparatory demolition and set out for buildings.

• Competently plan and carry out all aspects of the construction of; framed and solid foundations, and retaining walls.

• Competently plan and carry out all aspects of wall, roof, ceiling, column, post, beam and portal construction to form frames and structures of buildings.

• Competently plan and carry out all aspects of roof claddings, joinery and wall claddings.

• Competently plan and carry out all aspects of insulation, linings, finishing trim, joinery, hardware and sound control systems.

• Self-manage on-going learning and supervise the learning of others with a responsibility to maintain the professional standards of the construction industry.

• Operate competently and unsupervised to the required safety, technical, quality and productivity standards expected in a commercial environment.

Courses in this programme*

To be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4), students must achieve 320 credits offered in the programme.

Year Two - Select 75 credits from the Year 2-4 course list
Year Three - Select 90 credits from the Year 2-4 course list
Year Four - Select 95 credits from the Year 2-4 course list

*Course offerings subject to NZQA approval.

Entry requirements

All applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years old at the time they commence the programme.

• Be able to read, write and communicate in English at a basic level.

• Be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes.

In addition, applicants must:

• Be working in the construction industry as an employee or contractor.

• Be supervised by someone who is prepared to support the training.

• Enter into a training agreement with the employer and NorthTec which outlines the responsibilities of each party.

Applicants, for whom English is not their first language, must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.5; or hold an accepted international equivalence.

Qualification gained

New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)