New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)
Do you want to work as an apprentice under the supervision of a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)? Learn from industry professionals and gain sought-after skills through our carpentry apprenticeship, with the ultimate goal of becoming a qualified carpenter.
Domestic
How to apply
Contact us to get started - see 'Application' tab below
About the programme
Learn from professionals to become a qualified carpenter.
Most of your learning will take place on-site while you're studying the Certificate in Carpentry. An experienced trade-qualified assessor will assess your work during regular on-site visits.
The Otago Polytechnic app is a tool that can be used by carpentry apprentices to capture the notes, images, dates and locations of their on-site practical work for assessment.
Offsite training will be provided during day release courses at either the Dunedin or Central Otago Campus (in Cromwell). You will learn through classroom activities and practical tutorials.
All staff are trade and teacher qualified and will provide full support for your learning needs.
Career options
- Carpenter
- Foreman
- Site Manager
- Licenced Building Practitioner
- Construction Supervisor
- Project Manager
What You Study
What you will learn
Further study options
The apprenticeship scheme will prepare you for full-time employment in the construction industry. Alternatively, you may wish to complete a further qualification and the New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) (Construction Management) or (Quantity Surveying) or Bachelor of Construction provides the perfect study option!
Record of work
The Otago Polytechnic app is a tool that can be used by carpentry apprentices to capture the notes, images, dates and locations of their on-site practical work for assessment. Download the app here:
New Zealand Carpentry Apprentice Challenge
Once a year, Otago Polytechnic is involved in two regional carpentry apprentice challenges for the New Zealand Certified Builders and Master Builders. The winner of the regional competition gets to compete at the Apprentice Challenge, held each year at a national level.
Workload
Your workload
You will undertake three block courses in the first year and two block courses in your second and third year. There are no block courses during your fourth year (unless you have missed previous block courses and then the fourth year gives you a chance to attend these and catch up).
The pathway will be slightly different if you have completed a Pre-Trade programme prior to an apprenticeship. This pathway will be discussed with you in your initial sign-up meeting.
This programme takes between three and a half and four years to complete. Part-time options aren't available.
Entry
Entry requirements
- No academic entry requirements.
- You must be working in the construction industry as an employee or contractor and must be supervised by industry professionals prepared to support your training.
- You will need to enter into a training agreement with your employer and Otago Polytechnic.
Please contact one of our apprentice assessors to make an initial appointment to discuss your apprenticeship.
English Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 3) - with the General, Workplace, or Academic endorsement, or
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please note: This programme is not available to international students.
All fees and costs are approximate.
Fees
Domestic fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Visit Welcome to StudyLink studylink.govt.nz to apply for a student loan to cover your course fees, course-related costs or living costs, or to apply for a student allowance.
If you are eligible for Fees Free you may not need to borrow for course fees, but you may still wish to apply for course-related costs, living costs or student allowance.
Fees Free
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.
Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
Application
How to apply
Contact one of our assessors below to have a chat about studying this programme. They'll invite you to meet with them so you can go through everything together.
Grant Beel (Dunedin Apprentice Assessor)
Email: grant.beel@op.ac.nz
Phone: 027 436 3908
Alan Fraser (Dunedin Apprentice Assessor)
Email: alan.fraser@op.ac.nz
Phone: 027 341 9072
Richard O'Neill (Acting Central Otago Apprentice Assessor)
Email: richardoneill@op.ac.nz
Phone: 027 218 2120
