NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL) (L2–4)

Civil Engineering & Building Construction

What you should know

This programme covers construction, masonry building and woodworking, design, drainage and sanitation in a practical, theoretical management and design environment. Through the integration of academic knowledge and theory with practical skills and values, you’ll learn to literally build a better future.

Requirements

Grade 9 Certificate with 50% pass in Mathematics

Duration

3 Years
(One full year per level)

Campus

Click here to view at which campuses this course is offered

Career Opportunities

Architectural Technology • Drainage Inspection
• Quantity Surveying • Town and Regional Planning
• Sanitation Engineering • Road Construction Engineering
• Civil Construction Engineering • Building Construction

Vocational Activities

Participate in the operation and maintenance
of construction equipment and machinery
• Participate in the construction of roads,
bridges, dams, railways, houses, etc.
• Participate in designing and construction
of tunnels, roads, factories, reservoirs, etc.
• Participate in the erection of reinforced
concrete, structural steel, timber and
masonry structures, etc.

Campus

Click here to view at which campuses this course is offered

What subjects will I be taking?

FUNDAMENTAL SUBJECTS

Language
Life Orientation
Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy

VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS

LEVEL 2

Construction Planning

This subject will equip you with a basic understanding of construction legislation, roles and responsibilities of different parties, communication skills, technical terminology and cognitive skills to question, understand and interpret instructions and drawings.

Materials

This subject instils an understanding of the chemical and physical properties of construction materials so that you may understand:

  • Why materials behave the way they do.
  • How materials interact within the environment where they are used.
  • How to select and use materials correctly.
  • What effect materials may have on the behaviour of structures.
  • How to shape, cut, join and combine materials to fabricate structures.
Plumbing
Plant & Equipment

This subject has been designed to provide a basic generic understanding of the operating principles, function, safe use and maintenance of tools, equipment and mechanised plants used in the construction industry. Students who successfully complete this subject should prove an asset in the workplace because they will know how to use equipment safely and responsibly, while achieving high levels of productivity.

Masonry

This subject will equip you with the practical knowledge and skills needed to:

  • Set out and build masonry walls.
  • Prepare and plaster masonry and concrete vertical and horizontal soffit surfaces.
  • Prepare and lay screeds and toppings to finish domestic and industrial floors.
  • Prepare, set out and lay ceramic tiles on floor and wall surfaces.

LEVEL 3

Construction Planning

Construction Planning focuses on the construction and building environment and deals with the reading and interpretation of drawings and the production of freehand drawings. You will learn to identify symbols and specifications in drawings, to determine information for setting out and identifying material types and gain knowledge on how to calculate quantities and perform costings.

Materials

Materials focuses on construction materials, construction activities and construction processes.

Plumbing
Plant & Equipment

Equipment is a subject that deals with operating, using and maintaining of building and civil construction machinery and plant, while addressing related health and safety regulations.

Masonry

The subject Masonry provides you with a focus on construction masonry and tiling activities in the construction industry. Successful completion of the subject equips you with the practical knowledge and skills that will allow you to make a useful contribution to the work done on a building site.

LEVEL 4

Construction Planning

Construction Planning focuses on the construction and building environment and deals with the reading and interpretation of drawings and the production of freehand drawings. You will learn to identify symbols and specifications in drawings, to determine information for setting out and identifying material types and gain knowledge on how to calculate quantities and perform costings.

Materials

Materials focuses on construction materials, construction activities and construction processes.

Plumbing
Construction Supervision

Construction Supervision provides training on supervisory activities and functions such as planning, leading, monitoring, controlling, organising and motivating to ensure that work is productive in accordance with the requirements of the industry.

Masonry

The subject Masonry provides you with a focus on construction masonry and tiling activities in the construction industry. Successful completion of the subject equips you with the practical knowledge and skills that will allow you to make a useful contribution to the work done on a building site.