New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4) with strands in Cabinetry, Timber Door and Window, Timber Stairs, and Laminate Fabrication

We are evolving

From 2023, NMIT and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of
Te Pūkenga, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification. See more here.
Locations and dates

Marlborough:

1 October 2022

1 January 2023

1 April 2023

1 July 2023

1 October 2023

Nelson:

1 October 2022

1 January 2023

1 April 2023

1 July 2023

1 October 2023
Study options

Part-time
Length

62 weeks equivalent full-time including8 weeks of study breaks
Total credits

188
Fees

2022: $73-$243 per course dependent on course selection

A Compulsory Student Services Levy applies ($2 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.
National qualification code

NZ2343

Take your joinery career to the next level by becoming a craftsperson specialising in cabinetry, timber door and windows, timber stairs, and laminate fabrication.

This programme is eligible for fees-free under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF). Please note fees will only be covered under TTAF until 31 December 2022. Find full details about the fund here.(external link) Students are advised to enquire about their eligibility for any other fees-free funding when enrolling.(external link)

Joiners are skilled craftspeople who use specialised knowledge and machinery to design, make, assemble and fit doors, windows, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, stairs and other built-in or fixed components for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Joiners differ from carpenters in that they work with finer tolerances and details, using a larger selection of timber and manufactured board. A joiners skillset includes shop fit-outs, boat installation and customer design creativity.

Joinery L4 13 2 Column 1470x980px — Students come to us from all regions, these lads are from the West Coast and Canterbury.

This programme offers specialism strands in four areas: cabinetry, timber door and windows, timber stairs, and laminate fabrication. Depending on your employment circumstances and career aspirations, you can choose one strand, or all four strands if you wish to attain 'craftsman' certification.

Your training (which is delivered by way of block courses and evening classes) will fill gaps in your experience that might otherwise have been gained in your workplace.

This programme is designed for individuals who are working in the industry and is typically achieved in a workplace environment while completing an apprenticeship.

The New Zealand Certificate in Joinery Level 4 typically takes 2-4 years to complete depending on what strands you choose. Skills learnt across a strand may be transferrable to the next strand, shortening the time to reach your full qualification.

You'll learn the skills and gain the knowledge required by people working in timber joinery.

Joinery L4 2 2 Column 1470x980px — Students learn to laminate wood for many uses, in this case for a bespoke cherry wood window frame.

This qualification covers:

health and safety
legislation
communication
materials and manufacturing methods
use of tools and equipment
drawings and specifications

Upcoming programme development

All programmes offered by NMIT are under a Te Pūkenga review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the industry's needs while keeping our learners' success and wellbeing at heart. These are called unified programmes and are full of advantages for learners.

This programme is undergoing a transition to a Te Pūkenga unified programme. We'll notify you of any changes that might impact what you're studying, where you're studying, or how you're learning as information becomes available.

See more about our flexible learning options and unified programmes here.(external link)

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

40 credits NCEA Level 1, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits,

New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Level 3) Joinery strand (external link)

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), NMIT will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

Alternative Requirements

Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact NMIT for advice.

Additional Requirements

Students must be employed in the joinery industry at the time of study.

Students must enter into a 3-way training agreement between the candidate, employer and NMIT.

English Requirements

Applicants for which whom English is not their first language may be required to provide evidence of English language skills as listed below. Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, should contact Ara for advice.

IELTS 5.5 Academic (no lower than 5.0 in any subtest). For acceptable alternatives refer to the English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.

Note:

IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Students who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.

Choose your elective

Electives - you must choose at least 1 and may choose a maximum of 3 from below. It's wise to choose depending on what you'll be doing at your workplace.

Cabinetry

specialist machinery
cabinetry manufacture
special fitments

Timber doors and windows

specialist machinery
door and window manufacture
door and window hardware installation

Timber stairs

stair manufacture
geometric stairs

Laminate fabrication

specialist machinery
HPL (high-pressure laminate) manufacture

Please contact us for further information about NMIT Managed Apprenticeships, trades@nmit.ac.nz

How will I learn?

This programme is delivered by NMIT to people who are employed in the joinery industry with a NMIT managed apprenticeship.

You will be in full employment and can attend block courses and night classes throughout the year. Block courses will be timetabled to align with the apprentice's employer's workflow.

Year 1 - there will be 15-night classes throughout the year
Year 2 - there will be a two-week block course
Year 3 - there will be a two-week block course

Learning tools

You will need to have access to a computer and the internet.

Course material will be made available online through Moodle, our education online platform. Meetings, theory classes, and assignments may be carried out online via Microsoft Teams.

Career pathways

Timber door and windows

Luisa Koellmann is part of the Level 4 team preparing window frames and doors for a local church refurbishment. NMIT is proud to work with community projects and often students have the opportunity during their training to be a part of them.

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