Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship

Increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship by developing basic skills and knowledge in bricklaying and carpentry. This course will ensure you are prepared to work in labouring roles in the construction industry with studies in how to:

• erect and safely use working platforms
• apply basic bricklaying techniques
• construct basic sub-floor
• construct basic wall frames
• install basic external cladding
• install interior fixings.

You will also gain valuable knowledge about construction industry policies and procedures. When you graduate from this course, you'll be on your way towards a bricklaying or carpentry apprenticeship.

Please note: This course has the following specific durations for the bricklaying and carpentry:

• bricklaying pre-apprenticeship: 4 months
• carpentry pre-apprenticeship: 6 months

If you are taking this course as part of Vocational Education and Training Delivered in Secondary Schools (VETDSS), it will take two years.

Building and construction workers have careers that span the building industry from development, design, cost planning, construction and building and management. This pre-apprenticeship program is designed to give you industry skills so you can start a career in the building industry.

Employers prefer apprentice applicants that have undertaken a pre-apprenticeship.

Job titles include:

• bricklayer
• stonemason
• carpenter
• joiner.

Study pathway apprenticeship.

Graduates can typically find work across several industries, including manufacturing, construction and mining.

As an apprentice, your education or training will influence how much you can earn. Check for the average earnings for qualified trades in:

• bricklayer / stonemason (Labour Market Insights)
• carpenter / joiner (Labour Market Insights)

Employment for bricklayers, stonemasons, carpenter and joiners is set to grow strongly in the next five years (Labour Market Insights).

Our state-of-the-art technology allows students to participate in simulation learning in the classroom so they can practise their skills in a safe environment.

The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the 22338VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship, a student must successfully complete the following:

• ten (10) core units, and;
• all the elective units from one trade stream.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

• Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.