New Zealand Certificate in Stonemasonry (Level 4) (Construction Stonemasonry)

• To be motivated and efficient
• To be fit, healthy and strong
• Good communication and people skills
• Creative problem-solving skills.

Academic requirements

• There are no academic entry requirements.

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Please note: This programme involves outdoor work, use of hand tools and the manual handling of heavy materials. You should find it fairly easy to manage, as long as you're fairly physically fit. 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification. 

You must supply certified copies of proof of identify and proof of residency (where appropriate).

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order that they applied.

You will study

Covering a wide range of skills, this programme will furnish you with a high level of competence in designing and constructing stone features. Focused on the use of Central Otago schist, you will also learn about suitable application of other types of stone and are introduced to many traditional and modern stonework styles. Extensive practical work and work experience is included in the qualification to develop your applied knowledge and experience.

Indicative content – Year One

Construction Stonemasonry Career Insights and Orientation

Learn to identify professional working practices within the construction stonemasonry industry.

• Outline the roles, responsibilities and professional work practices of the construction stonemasonry industry. 
• Identify factors in the selection and use of stone materials in New Zealand.
• Recognise the health, safety and legislative considerations that apply to the New Zealand stonemasonry industry.
• Identify the basic requirements of being self-employed in the New Zealand stonemasonry industry.

Dry Stone Techniques

Develop the fundamental skills required to construct a basic dry stone project.

• Identify basic dry stone construction methods within construction stonemasonry.
• Select stone appropriate for basic dry stone construction stonemasonry.
• Apply basic dry stone construction methods. 

Stone Flooring and Paving

Develop the basic skills required to set out and lay a basic paving project to specifications.

• Establish site and material needs for stone flooring/paving.
• Prepare and set out for stone flooring/paving.
• Select, lay and finish stone flooring/paving.

Landscape Techniques

Develop the fundamental skills required to construct a basic landscaping project to meet specifications.

• Plan a basic landscaping project to meet all specifications and requirements.
• Set out and prepare a site for landscaping to project specification.
• Construct basic landscaping stonework to project specification.

Legislation

Learn how to identify and practically apply legislation relevant to construction stonemasonry.

• Identify and locate legislation relevant to construction stonemasonry.
• Apply legislation relevant to construction stonemasonry.

Drawings and Specifications

Develop the skills required to interpret and apply working drawings and specifications for a stonemasonry project.

• Identify key components of working drawings and specifications for construction stonemasonry.
• Read and interpret working drawings and specifications for construction stonemasonry.
• Apply working drawings and specifications to construction stonemasonry.

Veneer Techniques

Develop the fundamental skills required to construct a basic stone veneer project to meet specifications.

• Describe the attributes and elements of stone veneer.
• Establish site and material needs for a basic veneer wall.
• Construct a basic veneer wall to a specification. 

Repair and Refurbishment

Learn how to apply the appropriate methods of repair and refurbishment within a stonemasonry project.

• Identify and assess repair and refurbishment options for construction stonemasonry.
• Apply methods to repair and refurbish stonework.

Indicative content – Year Two

Applied Veneer Stonemasonry Construction

Learn how to construct veneer stonemasonry to meet project specifications in a commercially viable manner.

• Plan veneer stonemasonry work to project specification.  
• Coordinate veneer stonemasonry construction to project specification.
• Construct veneer stonemasonry to project specification.

Applied Landscape Stonemasonry

Gain the skills required to construct landscaping stonemasonry to meet project outcomes.

• Plan landscape stonemasonry and architectural features to meet project outcomes.
• Coordinate landscape and architectural features to meet project outcomes.
• Construct landscape and architectural features to meet project outcomes.

Applied Stone Flooring/Paving

Discover how to construct a stone flooring and paving project to meet project outcomes.

• Plan stone flooring/paving to meet project outcomes.
• Establish site for stone flooring/paving to meet project outcomes.
• Construct a stone flooring/paving project to meet project outcomes. 

Capstone Portfolio

Gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to work as a commercially competent construction stonemason.

• Select and use materials in a variety of construction stonemasonry contexts.
• Plan and carry out construction stonemasonry across the veneer, landscaping, and flooring/paving contexts. 
• Self-manage on-going learning and work unsupervised in a professional, sustainable, and commercially viable manner.

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• Understand and apply a broad practical, working knowledge of the fundamentals required in the stonemasonry trade.
• Plan and carry out all aspects of construction stonemasonry work including consents, creation, installation, and repair and refurbishment of different stonemasonry elements.
• Operate to the required safety, technical, quality, and productivity standards expected in a commercial stonemasonry environment.
• Self-manage on-going learning and supervise the learning of others with a responsibility to maintain the professional standards of the stonemasonry industry. 

This programme is a two-year path of study with the opportunity for the second year to be in work so you can earn as you learn. The focus of the programme is very practical and there are limited reading and writing assignment requirements. Classes run Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.00pm.

This programme involves outdoor working, use of hand tools and the manual handling of heavy materials. You should find the workload easy to manage, as long as you are fairly physically fit. 

You are required to provide and wear protective safety footwear to attend practical classes. You will be provided with all small tools, specialised equipment and safety glasses. Stonemasonry students are eligible to apply for funding to cover course-related costs.  

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students who have lived in New Zealand for three years. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

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