Overview
Lay the foundations for a career in the building industry with a Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (bricklaying or carpentry) at Victoria University Polytechnic.
Increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship by developing basic skills and knowledge in:
- painting
- tiling
- levelling
- scaffolding
- workplace safety and first aid
- safe use of power tools
- calculations
- environmental sustainability.
Bricklaying stream
In the bricklaying stream you'll learn:
- foundational bricklaying skills
- brick veneer processes
- masonry.
Carpentry stream
In the carpentry stream you'll learn about:
- wall and roof framing
- demolition
- concreting
- cladding.
When you graduate from this course, you’ll be on your way towards a bricklaying or carpentry apprenticeship.
Free TAFE 2020 - apply now
Eligible students won’t pay tuition fees for this course in 2020.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Multi-million dollar Construction Hub
You’ll learn at our $44 million state-of-the-art trades hub 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.
Learning advice
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.
Library & computer facilities
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:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Celebrating cultural diversity
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 Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE 2020
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
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 employment across several industries including manufacturing, construction and mining.
Salaries
As an apprentice, your education or training will influence how much you can earn. The following is the average earnings for qualified trades in:
- Bricklayer / Stonemason A$54,080 (Job Outlook)
- Carpenter / Joiner A$52,000 (Job Outlook)
Employment rates
Employment for Bricklayers, Stonemasons, Carpenter and Joiners are set to grow strongly in the next five years. (Job Outlook).
Dynamic learning
Our state-of-the-art technology allows students to participate in simulation learning in the classroom so they can practice their skills in a safe environment.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
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.
Course structure and units
CORE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS
Stream: Bricklaying
Stream: Carpentry
Learning outcomes
This qualification has been developed to enable participants to achieve the underpinning skills, knowledge and ability to meet AQF Level 2 requirements and to provide them with a solid foundation from which to undertake future apprenticeship training at the Certificate III level. The course outcomes of the 22338VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship are consistent with the distinguishing features of the learning outcomes specified in the Australian Qualifications Framework.
This qualification forms part of the credit suite specified by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and may contribute towards the satisfactory completion of the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Victoria Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
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 a VET tuition fee and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee and course materials contribution. This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
- Full-fee paying place pay the full-fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Find out:
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
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. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
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.
VETiS: The literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant secondary school.
Pathways from VU courses
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.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
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.
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: 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.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information. Apply direct to VUAlready 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
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
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.
