Building skills for a future on the tools

Friday, 16 November 2018

Wodonga TAFE’s 22338VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship class are at the end of their studies. The class has been participating in a project that has enabled them to learn a wide variety of carpentry skills, preparing them for entry into either the carpentry or construction industries. This pre-apprenticeship course has been delivered over one semester, four days a week at Wodonga TAFE’s warehousing and construction training facility, located at 55 Moorefield Park Drive, Wodonga.

The students have been working on the construction of a portable, custom designed, one-bedroom cabin. Although it is portable, it won’t be missing any essentials; with it having electricity, sewage and water supply. The custom design of the cabin means that it is different than previous cabins; having space for a small washing unit and being so big it had to be moved outside after the framing was completed, as it wouldn’t fit out of the shed door after the gutters were installed!

Being able to work on a large-scale project like this, gives the students an excellent opportunity to learn valuable hands-on skills that will be imperative for their future careers. The skills learned include safe and proper use of power tools, instillation of doors and windows, framing, roofing, installing insulation and cladding. The experience gained during this project also ensures that students understand the importance that safety, teamwork and planning have within industry.

This pre-apprenticeship gives students the advantage of gaining the theoretical understanding before applying the concept in the creation of the cabin. Timber Studies Team Leader Don Terry stated that “having the ability to learn and immediately apply skills, on a large-scale project, rather than simply completing a small design, gives the students a greater understanding of the concept. Giving the students all the opportunities they need to be work ready”. Don added, “we had a professional plasterer complete the internal walls. He invited the students to assist him plastering, something well beyond the required work of the class, but it’s the extra skills that are used during this project that really benefits the students”.

Working on a large scale project like the cabin enables the students to take a high level of pride in their work, as what they produce will be used and lived in. The students are excited to be reaching the end of their course and being able to apply the abundance of skills and techniques learned in the future, with the added benefit of being able to discuss the techniques learned and applied through their study.

If this or any other courses interest you, contact us now for 2019 applications, either via Email:info@wodongatafe.edu.au or call: 1300 698 233