The ultimate guide to Building and Construction Diplomas

Why a Diploma in Building & Construction?

  • A diploma of building & construction provides skills that sell!
  • Uni degrees aren’t the only pathway
  • RTOs such as TIV offer great hands-on training in leading edge facilities

You’re probably reading this and other blogs like it because you’ve been thinking about learning a trade but aren’t sure what’s required, or perhaps you simply want to know more about how to get on track with your chosen career path.

To get your head around what’s involved, you’ll need to know about relevant qualifications, such as a diploma of building and construction.

In a previous blog we talked about the Certificate IV in Building and Construction, which is a key first step in becoming a registered builder. In this blog we’ll cover the next step, which for many is the Diploma of Building and Construction.

These qualifications are proving increasingly popular. And there are a number of good reasons for this.

Whether you’re a younger bloke figuring out what to do with your life or an older guy looking to advance your career, there are plenty of good reasons why a diploma of building and construction could be the ticket you’ve been looking for.

The big plus about doing a nationally recognised course is that it can empower students to take advantage of opportunities in today’s job market, coming from what’s commonly known as the skills gap.

Essentially there are millions of skilled jobs that remain unfilled because no one is trained to do them. At the same time, many university graduates are finding it increasingly hard to find work. This is either because they do not have job-ready skills, or because so many other uni graduates are emerging into the workforce with similar skills, meaning competition is at an all-time high.

And of course another good reason to think twice about going to university is the sheer cost of undertaking a degree course and then owing thousands of dollars to the government once you leave uni.  University clearly isn’t the only option, and neither is a job that involves sitting at a desk or in a cubicle. Getting a qualification such as a diploma of building and construction means you can start earning quickly using a range of specialised skills.

Bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, or plasterers are in high demand now particularly as, while the number of labourers in the skilled trades has declined, there’s still a great need for this type of work.  And while there are a lot of myths about working in the trades, it’s increasingly clear that the trades offer more mental stimulation than many office jobs.

A typical carpenter or builder will be his own boss, driving his own vehicle, getting out there and seeing new places, meeting new people, and tackling and solving new problems. There are great opportunities for creativity, variety and independence in the lines of work offered by a diploma of building and construction.

These are just a few of the many reasons why young men and increasingly women are looking at trade qualifications such as a trade qualification or diploma of building and construction as the starting point for their career.

Many RTOs (registered training organisations) such as TIV specialise in providing excellent quality training, ranging from certificate level to a diploma of building and construction. Featuring updated courses and learning environments, as mentioned in our post about our recent facility launch with modern and extensive training facilities, these RTOs offer programs with a strong emphasis on the practical skills required within the building and construction industry.

The steps of training, from cert III to diploma building and construction

  • Start at certificate III, equal to an apprenticeship
  • Certificate IV is the next step
  • Diploma level is key for those seeking registration
  • TIV single training package combines Diploma + Certificate IV level training
  • Skills cover everything from OHS to estimating, interpreting plans and more!

A typical pathway into a career in building and construction might start at trade level, with for example a Certificate III in carpentry, painting and decorating, solid plastering or bricklaying. At this level, you’d be undertaking a course that is essentially the same level as an apprenticeship but has the plus of not requiring the student to be employed in order to get trained.

The course is great for anyone who wants to get trained as an apprentice bricklayer but can’t find an employer to take them on. It’s also good if you want to use your training time effectively.

From the Certificate III, you’ll most likely move on to Certificate IV. The Certificate IV in Building & Construction (Building) is designed to train builders and managers of small to medium sized building businesses and people interested in becoming registered builders.

A nationally recognised course, it is also an important stage in applying to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) to become a registered builder. The modules that make up the course are designed to prepare students for the exam and help them put together the evidence required to prove their competence to the board.


From the diploma in building and construction to building registration

A diploma of building and construction is the next important step and is key to attaining building registration. Registration in turn is vital if you want to undertake residential building work that costs more than $5,000 (including labour and materials).

It is also necessary if you intend to carry out re-blocking, restumping or demolition work, remove a home, or carry out any building work that requires a permit, regardless of cost. You’ll also need registration if you intend to offer more than one type of building work, such as electrical and plastering that costs more than $5,000 (including labour and materials).

 

The how and why of undertaking a diploma of building and construction 

A diploma of building and construction differs slightly from a certificate. The certificate is issued to a student completing a course of study, often in a single skill set, such as plumbing for example, and certificate courses are largely practical in nature with less academic content. A certificate is also a legal document that gives the person who holds it the right to work in certain professions, for example, a certification in bricklaying will allow you to officially work in that area. A diploma is usually more in depth than a certification and may include some academic content.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50210

This diploma in building and construction offered by TIV has been undertaken by many students who are now successfully working as registered builders in many and varied roles in the building and construction sector. In studying for the diploma, they attained a wide range of skills and knowledge on which they were then examined by the Building Practioners’ Board for registration as a residential or commercial builder.

All students who enrol in the diploma course have successfully completed the CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) course.

Another great advantage of the TIV training offer is that a single training package can combine the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) and the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building). The resulting package meets the Victorian Building Authority’s requirements for a prescribed course for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) and Commercial Builder (Unlimited).

It also covers the skills and knowledge on which applicants are examined by the Building Practitioners Board for registration as a residential or commercial builder. The package promises great results for all participants including people aspiring to be managers in domestic or commercial building and construction enterprises.

Essentially some of the great skills and knowledge you’ll gain during the diploma in building and construction cover OHS risk management, the application of building codes and standards, project quality assurance, the use of structural principles and the preparation of contractual documents. Among many other modules, you’ll also learn how to estimate and prepare costings, interpret plans and specifications, put together tender documents, undertake site surveys and use environmental management practices in building and construction.

Post diploma – the ins and outs of registration

  • Registration is a complex process involving forms + documentation
  • Support throughout the registration process is provided by TIV staff

Once you’ve completed your building and construction diploma, the next step is usually a matter of getting registered. While you may have found it challenging understanding the nuts and bolts of constructing the framework for a new house, learning how to interpret complex plans and sitting an exam, many builders joke that these tasks are nothing compared to the challenge of registration!

There are a number of steps to registration, including of course, completing the diploma in building and construction. There are also forms to be filled in, documentation to be prepared and signed off, and other specific requirements to be met.

While this process can seem overwhelming, fortunately the experienced team at TIV are well-versed in all aspects of registration and are on-hand to assist students through what can sometimes be a complex and demanding process.

As one former student put it:

“The assistance for students doesn’t stop once your training is finished. Once I’d finished my diploma in building and construction, I found the support from staff was incredible, throughout the registration process and even beyond that to the stage of taking that first step into working life. Honestly if I hadn’t had that help and support, I’m not sure I would have got through the registration.”

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