Construction Trade Skills (Level 3)

Waihanga Ara Rau is reviewing the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Level 3), which includes strands in Carpentry, Joinery, and Allied Trades.

This qualification provides essential entry-level learning for those starting a career in the construction industry. The review will ensure it remains relevant, practical, and aligned with the expectations of today’s employers.

As part of our scheduled review cycle, we’re making sure this Level 3 qualification:

• Supports a smooth transition into employment, apprenticeships, or further training
• Aligns with what employers, tutors, and learners expect
• Reflects current and emerging skills valued by industry across all relevant trades
• Addresses key themes such as sustainability, skills shortages, and construction innovation.

As part of this qualification review, we will be introducing skill standards as mandatory “building blocks” used by all providers to align with the compulsory Graduate Outcomes.

Who are we working with?

We want to engage with and gather input from employers and worksite supervisors in the following trades:

• Carpentry
• Joinery
• Painting and decorating
• Plastering
• Tiling
• Concrete and Formwork
• Roofing
• Bricklaying/Block laying
• And other onsite construction trades

As well as:

• Industry bodies and membership organisations
• Tutors and training providers across the Carpentry, Joinery, and Allied Trades
• Māori and iwi representatives
• Learners and recent graduates of Level 3 programmes.

What we want to know

• What is working?
• Do graduates of this qualification have the skills industry expects?
• Do graduates of this qualification feel ready for the workforce and/or ongoing training?
• Are there any important industry skills missing from this pre-trade qualification?
• Do the strands in the qualification still allow for what industry requires?
• Do you have suggestions for improving this qualification?

This project is being undertaken in response to the Building Pathways Project alongside the reviews of:

• the New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4)
• the suite of Construction Trade micro-credentials

How you can get involved

If you’re involved in training, hiring, or mentoring learners across any of the strands, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help shape how we update the qualification to best serve the needs of industry and learners.

Send your feedback by email to Michael Chapman.