Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship

Get a taste of the building industry, learn to use a wide variety of building tools and techniques and get your hand skills to an acceptable industry standard.  You will construct a cubby house from ground to completion as part of this program. Build organisational and self-management skills in preparation for a head start in gaining an apprenticeship in carpentry.

• levelling procedures
• workplace health and safety and first aid
• how to use carpentry tools and equipment
• setting out and wall frame and sub-floor construction
• windows and doors installation
• how to safely use work platforms

• Bricklayer
• Builder
• Carpenter
• Glazier
• Plasterer
• Stonemason
• Tiler

After completing this program you will be ready to take the next steps towards a career in the building and construction industry.

Apprenticeship

You can continue learning through an apprenticeship, where you study while gaining hands-on experience in the workplace. Possible areas include:

• Carpentry & Building – Certificate III in Carpentry
• Cabinet Making – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology

There are many other trade areas you can either enter through an apprenticeship (bricklaying, concreting, etc.) or you can join the workforce as a trade assistant or labourer.

At university:

While most building careers begin with an apprenticeship and this program doesn’t offer a direct university pathway, it can provide a foundation to support future study at university in drafting or construction project management.

SWTAFE Sherwood Park campus, Warrnambool

Thursday afternoons (1pm - 5pm) during school terms.
One week-long school holiday block training (in the term 2 holidays, dates to be confirmed), Monday to Friday (8am - 5pm each day).

SWTAFE Colac Trade Training Centre

Wednesdays (10am - 2.pm) during school terms.

One week-long school holiday block training (dates to be confirmed), Monday to Friday (8am - 5pm each day).

Cobden Technical School Trade Training Centre

Fridays (9am - 2pm) during school terms.

Hamilton District Skills Centre

Tuesdays (1.30pm - 5.30pm) during school terms.

This course is partial completion only. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Statement of Attainment listing the successful units completed. You may be able to use the Statement of Attainment to receive credit towards a full qualification, reducing the time and cost of further study.

Credit to ATAR score

Students undertaking this VET DSS program are eligible for credit of up to four VCE VET units on their VCE Statement of Results: two units at Unit 1-2 level and a Unit 3-4 sequence. Students may be entitled to 10% increment towards their VCE.

VCE Vocational Major

Students undertaking this VET DSS program through the VCE Vocational Major stream will need to complete a minimum of 180 nominal hours of a VET DSS program over a 2-year period.

This course is partial completion only. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Statement of Attainment listing the successful units completed. You may be able to use the Statement of Attainment to receive credit towards a full qualification, reducing the time and cost of further study.

Any costs and fees associated with completing this course will managed directly with your school. Please contact your school for further information.

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study e.g. tools of the trade, uniform, etc. Please check with your school's VET DSS coordinator to determine resource costs applicable to you.

There are 5 steps to applying for a VET DSS program with SWTAFE:

1. Look at your options - chat with your school's VET DSS Coordinator and your parents/guardians about a program that will suit you.
2. Apply - complete a short online application form
3. Complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment online
4. Chat to our team - your SWTAFE teacher or course specialist will contact you to discuss the course in more detail and ensure the right units of study are selected for you.
5. Enrol - once your school approves your VET DSS application, you will be enrolled in the qualification at SWTAFE.