Construction

Construction is a 2 unit vocational education and training (VET) framework course.

Why study construction?

Construction is a booming industry where you can gain skills in building, modifying existing buildings, contracting and quoting, designing and managing projects and dealing with clients, workers and professionals.

Working in construction industry involves:

• constructing — buildings and houses by assembling and fitting structures, excavating and working outdoors
• modifying — existing buildings, homes and structures through renovations, alterations and additions
• contracting — assessing materials, estimating, quoting, recruiting staff, surveying, analysing, negotiating, organising, managing contracts
• designing — buildings both internal and external, large and small including rooms and offices, roofs and grounds
• measuring — materials, sites, grounds, rooms, buildings and drawing plans
• communicating — with clients, workers, professional bodies, suppliers, consultants, local government and other authorities
• managing — projects, sites, constructions, contracts, personnel and clients.

Course description

This course is based on units of competency which have been developed by the construction industry to describe the competencies, skills and knowledge required by workers in this industry.

This course incorporates core units plus a range of elective units from the general construction and civil construction sectors.

Course requirements relating to work placement

You will have to compete work place training as part of your course. The time you spend in the work place depends on what course you do. Generally students studying the course over Years 11 and 12 can expect to complete 70 hours of work placement, with extra requirements for extension courses undertaken.

You must also undertake a mandatory work cover approved general occupational health and safety (OHS) induction training program, as well as work activity OHS training and site-specific OHS training before being allowed onto a work site.

Assessment

Competency based assessment

This is a competency based course. This requires students to develop the competencies, skills and knowledge described by each unit of competency. Students must demonstrate to a qualified assessor that they can effectively carry out the various tasks to the standard required in the appropriate industry, to be assessed as competent.

External assessment — optional higher school certificate examination

The higher school certificate (HSC) examination for construction will involve a written examination made up of multiple choice items, short answers and extended response items.

The examination is independent of the competency based assessment undertaken during the course and has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive Australian qualifications framework (AQF) qualifications.

Potential qualifications:

• certificate 1 in general or civil construction or a statement of attainment towards certificate one
• statement of attainment towards certificate 2 in general or civil construction
• credit towards trade qualifications in carpentry, bricklaying, painting and decorating, wall and floor tiling, roofing
• credit towards trade qualifications in plant, road construction and maintenance, tunnel construction, bridge/marine construction, foundation work, railway construction, pipe laying or road making.