Building Construction and Allied Trades Skills

Grow your skills and your confidence with hands-on experience in building, construction and allied trades skills (BCATS). Whether you are looking for a career change or just getting started, this programme will help set you on the path to an entry-level job in industry.

In this programme, you'll learn about building and construction industry projects from start to finish. You'll be able to work with the tools of the trades in a safe and supportive environment and even get on-the-job experience with a project in your community.

Not only will you get the skills you need for an entry-level job in building, construction, or allied trades, but you'll also complete this certificate with the confidence to take that next step.

When you complete this programme, you'll get this qualification:

• New Zealand Certificate in Building Construction and Allied Trades Skills (Level 2)  

• BCATS industries
• health and safety
• maths and communications
• interpreting plans and drawings
• portable power tools
• different types of timber
• safe working procedures
• how to complete projects
• how to create project drawings

Some of your learning time will be kaiako-directed. Your kaiako will guide you through instruction and learning activities at a scheduled time and place.

• This might be in a classroom, online sessions, one-day wānanga, or noho.

The rest of your learning time will be activity-directed. Activity-directed learning is self-guided in your own time and space.

• This might consist of completing online activities, attending events, preparing for assessments, or engaging with supporting materials.

Some learning activities will need to be completed online. You’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device to participate in this programme.

This is a full-time programme that consists of 41 credits.

The programme is delivered over 15 weeks, which means you’ll be expected to commit an average of 28 hours per week to your study.

328 learning hours will be kaiako-directed. These hours will be split between:

• 4 x 5.9-hour classes per week

82 learning hours will be activity-directed. This means you will be expected to complete activities in your own time for an average of 5.5 hours per week.

The learning hour distribution is at the discretion of your kaiako. For more information on what’s being offered, please contact Tatau Pounamu, our call centre.

• be 16 years or older
• be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands)
• reside in New Zealand
• hold the New Zealand Certificate in Building, Construction, and Allied Trade Skills (Level 1) and/or have equivalent skills and knowledge

You may choose to continue your education with the New Zealand Certificate in Building, Construction, and Allied Trades Skills (Level 3) or through other qualifications relevant to the built environment, such as Construction Trade Skills - Carpentry.

You’ll have the skills and knowledge to obtain entry level roles in building, construction, and allied trades' sectors.

Whakawhanaungatanga and Introduction to BCATS | 8 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is for tauira to share their identity through whanaungatanga as well as learn about BCATS industries and health and safety expectations required when working in these environments.

Literacy, Numeracy and Communication in BCATS | 10 credits

This aim of this kōnae ako is to provide tauira with foundation skills in literacy, numeracy and communication skills required to undertake basic tasks in BCATS environments.

BCATS Workshop Introduction | 11 credits

The aim of this kōnae is to familiarise tauira with basic knowledge and skills relating to identifying and looking after BCATS resources (timber and tools).

Two BCATS Projects | 12 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is for tauira to develop basic skills of drawing and sketching methods required for a BCATS project, as well as carry out under supervision a basic BCATS project.