Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration:
0.5 years full time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face
Location: 
Industry
Sunshine
Werribee
Other
Start date:
15 July 2024
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.
Apply

Overview

Lay the foundation for a career in the building industry with a Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship 22614VIC at VU Polytechnic.

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
  • interpret basic construction plans and drawings
  • apply basic bricklaying techniques
  • prepare surfaces for plastering
  • safely operate tools and equipment
  • apply basic stonemasonry 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:  5 months

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

Free TAFE – apply now

Eligible students won’t pay tuition fees for this course. Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.

Find out more about Free TAFE.

You'll learn in our multi-million dollar trades facilities at our Sunshine Campus.

Our ‘Construction Futures’ hub is a sustainable training facility with a Six-Star Green rating. It provides modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops including:

  • concrete laboratory
  • survey laboratory
  • engine laboratory
  • soldering/construction laboratories
  • power systems laboratory
  • computer workstations with simulation and modelling software.

VU's Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.

You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:

  • databases
  • e-learning content for courses
  • student email
  • student software packages
  • social networking tools.

On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:

As part of Victoria University, Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.

Victoria University received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide. Our students feel fortunate to learn in a setting that has such a rich representation of cultures.

VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion issues and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our cultural diversity initiatives and projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

TAFE resources

A pre-apprenticeship lets you lay the foundations for an exciting career in trades.

Application support sessions

Do you need help applying for a pre-apprenticeship? Attend an application support session to be guided through your pre-apprenticeship application at VU Polytechnic.

Careers in building and construction

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.

Salaries

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

Employment rates

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

Dynamic learning

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.

Nationally recognised training

This course is nationally recognised training.

Course structure

To be awarded the 22614VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship, the following units of competency must be successfully completed:
-
nine (9) core units, and;

- all units from one (1) of the selected trade streams:
Bricklaying (5 units)
Carpentry (10 units) Students who do not complete the full qualification, will be issued a Statement of Attainment for passed units of competency.

VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).

.

Core units

Elective units

Stream: Bricklaying

Stream: Carpentry

The provides learners with basic industry-specific skills and knowledge to enable transition into an apprenticeship within the building and construction industries at the Certificate III level.
The Building and Construction program aims for:
- participants to gain the knowledge and skills to achieve competencies that will enhance their employment prospects in the building and construction or related industries
- participants to strengthen the opportunity to gain a recognised credential and to make an informed choice of vocation or career path.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: VET

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

  • government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
  • full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your VET course fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Free TAFE

Students eligible for a government-subsidised place won't be required to pay tuition fees for this course.

To apply for a subsidised place, select your year of choice when you apply for this course.

Find out more about free TAFE for priority courses and register your interest in a free TAFE place.

Skills First (subsidised) indicative fees

The Skills First government contribution in 2024 towards this course is $8,022.30 - $8,079.50. If eligible, you will pay:

Bricklaying
Tuition: $1402.50* (course eligible for Free TAFE)
Materials: $158.

Carpentry
Tuition: $1,412.50* (course eligible for Free TAFE)
Materials: $396.

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): maximum per year $175.50**

*A concession rate of 20% of the standard Skills First subsidised tuition fee is available if you are eligible for a concession. Learn more about concessions.

**May be subject to change.

Full-fee place total indicative fees

2024 full-fee place:

  • Bricklaying: $9,256.50
  • Construction: $9,322.50.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
-
Pre-training Review (PTR)
-
Literacy and numeracy assessment.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - VDSS APPLICANTS:
The suitability, literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant secondary school.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

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.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Available start dates:
  • 15 July 2024

Before you apply

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:

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 13 July 2024 for our next intake which starts on 15 July 2024.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.