The housing market is set to heat up again — now is the time to build your skills! Study carpentry or electrical trades for 0 fees. Places are limited, so act fast! Choose day or evening classes, long or short courses

Good news: New Zealand’s property and construction sectors are set to heat up again! Following the election, potential buyers who had spent a long time on the sidelines are making their move. House price growth is accelerating across most of the country, and more areas are recording increases. The construction industry is finally set to emerge from the downturn of recent years and enter a new period of growth!

As the industry enters a new phase of development, demand for construction workers is growing, and wages are rising too. Pay for a range of skilled trades in New Zealand, including carpenters, electricians, plasterers and plumbers, has increased over recent years, with industry wages up 19.2% since the fourth quarter of 2019.

Whether you feel stuck in an office cubicle and want a career change, or already work in construction and want to deepen your professional knowledge, this pathway is open to you. Eligible New Zealand citizens and residents can pay 0 fees to study a wide range of courses, but places are very limited!

Today, YIJU New Zealand introduces a well-known school affectionately dubbed New Zealand’s “Lanxiang Technical School”. An NZQA Category One private training provider with more than thirty years of history, it helps people gain practical skills and return to employment. Alongside a wide range of fee exemptions, it offers study after work and at weekends, allowing you to keep working while opening up new possibilities.

It is the renowned Skills Update。

Established in 1991, Skills Update has consistently focused on local skills training, helping tens of thousands of people return to employment or change careers. It has campuses in Auckland’s Mangere, Papakura, Henderson and North Shore, as well as Tauranga and Christchurch. Students can choose from a range of courses, including automotive repair, carpentry, electrical trades, health and wellbeing, horticulture and aged care.

The New Zealand Government has long offered eligible domestic students — New Zealand citizens and residents — a 0-fee study policy. However, the policy could change at any time. Time is short and this is a rare opportunity, so eligible domestic students should not miss out!

 

All teaching at Skills Update is in English, so students need a basic level of English to handle the listening, speaking, reading and writing required for their courses. Applicants must take an English test to ensure they have sufficient language skills to study. Generally, if you have completed a Level Three English certificate or attended university in New Zealand, you should be able to pass the test.

 

Skills Update is an NZQA Category One provider, and all its courses are approved by NZQA. On completing their studies, students receive an NZQA-approved certificate.

 

In recent years, growing numbers of Chinese New Zealanders have entered construction, and carpentry and electrical trades have become Skills Update’s most popular courses.

The Level Three carpentry course, for example, suits people interested in learning new skills and those considering a career in building and construction. With 40 weeks of full-time study or 60 weeks of part-time evening and weekend study, it combines theory and practical training to help you enter the industry after graduation or gain sufficient industry knowledge to support your work.

New Zealand still faces a substantial housing shortfall. Large numbers of new migrants are arriving, while housing supply remains extremely tight, creating abundant job opportunities in cities across the country. This Level Three course can help you improve your skills, employability and pay. Students learn to use professional hand and power tools and develop basic carpentry skills, helping them establish themselves in New Zealand’s construction industry while gaining skills for DIY projects and home renovations.

You can study full-time or part-time. Part-time students can attend theory classes on weekday evenings and practical training at weekends, making this an excellent option for people working during the day. This preparatory qualification provides a pathway into a building apprenticeship, helping you find work in construction and secure an apprenticeship opportunity.

If you are interested in studying at Skills Update, scan the QR code below and get in touch!

 

Construction L3 Mangere campus：Tues & Thurs 5.30-8.30pm, Sat 9-3pm (Part-time) Papakura campus: Tues, Wed & Thurs 5-9pm (Part-time)   Electrical Engineering L3 Mangere campus: Tues-Thurs 5:30-8:30pm (part-time) Henderson campus: Mon-Wed 9-2pm (Full-time) Christchurch campus: Tues-Thurs 9-2pm (Full-time) Tauranga campus: Mon-Wed 5.30-8.30pm (Part-time) Short course one: e2 6-week carpentry short course Course content An introduction to basic carpentry knowledge, construction safety, the use of carpentry tools, industry terminology and concepts, and how to lay foundations, build house framing, carry out repairs, cut timber and assemble components. Entry requirements Basic English and maths skills, and New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or a resident visa are required. Class schedule Auckland Henderson campus: 8 Te Pai Place, Henderson Start date: 6 November Class times: Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:30 am–2:30 pm, for just 6 weeks   Short course two: 6-week agriculture (horticulture) short course Course content This course introduces students to ideal garden beds, composting and identifying soil types; raising seedlings, pruning and taking cuttings; identifying weeds; controlling plant diseases and pests; identifying plants; and maintaining gardening tools. It also introduces the horticulture industry and helps students use industry terminology correctly in their CVs.   Course schedule Auckland Mangere campus: 59 Tidal Road, Mangere Start date: 6 November Class times: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, for just 6 weeks Practical classes: Interspersed with theory classes If you are interested in other courses, such as horticulture, automotive repair or care work, also scan the QR code above, and the school will call you back.