New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)
This is an apprenticeship qualification to become a qualified carpenter. Work as an apprentice under the supervision of a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), learn from industry professionals and gain sought-after skills through a carpentry apprenticeship.
Domestic
How to apply
Contact us to get started - see 'Application' tab below
About the programme
Earn as you learn from professionals to become a qualified carpenter.
Most of your learning will take place on your worksite while you're studying this certificate. An experienced trade-qualified assessor will evaluate your work during regular on-site visits.
You'll use the Otago Polytechnic App to capture notes, images, dates and locations of your on-site practical work for assessment.
Offsite training will be provided during day release courses at the Dunedin or Central Otago Campus (in Cromwell). You will learn through classroom activities and practical tutorials.
All of our 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
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
- 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 (see Contact us section below for contact details) 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.
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
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
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
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
