Overview
Lay the foundation for a career in the building industry with a Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship 22338VIC 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
- 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.
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.
Multi-million dollar trades facilities
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.
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
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
A pre-apprenticeship lets you lay the foundations for an exciting career in trades.
Campus tour & application support sessions
Do you need help applying for a pre-apprenticeship? Attend a campus tour and 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
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
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.
Course structure and units
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
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- Unit code
- HLTAID010
Core Unit in Transition
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).
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:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- 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.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
VETDSS: 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)
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.
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:
- 23 January 2023
- 17 April 2023
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:
- 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.
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.
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
Enquire now – TAFE
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.
