NACC180278 - Career Taster: Building Foundations
Overview
Curious about a future in the building and construction industry? This Career Taster gives you the chance to get hands-on with real tools, materials and practical trade tasks to help you discover whether a pathway in construction, carpentry or plumbing is right for you. Across five action‑packed days, you’ll explore the fundamentals of the building trades, from basic carpentry and tool use to plumbing skills like pipe assembly, fittings, and water flow fundamentals. Perfect for students interested in a trade career, this taster helps you understand what it’s really like to work in construction environments and gives you the practical experience needed to make informed decisions about your next steps. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed confidence, new practical abilities, and insight into the pathways available through apprenticeships, vocational training or further study.
Definitions of our ACC, NACC and PDC short course codes.
QUALITY EDUCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Between our reputation for learning, teaching and research, our renowned online education offering, and our status as Australia’s largest regional university, rest assured you will get a world-class education when you choose CQUniversity.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CREDIBILITY IS KEY
In just 25 years, CQUniversity has achieved some amazing feats and emerged as one of Australia’s truly great universities. We have been ranked among the best in the world for our teaching and learning, and are internationally recognised for our focus on Social Innovation. Our graduates are some of the most sought-after in Australia, due to our reputation for work integrated learning and industry-aligned courses, and experience some of the nation’s best graduate outcomes in terms of full-time employment and starting salary. CQUni is also regarded as the nation’s most inclusive and engaged university, with our award-winning academic and research staff making a real impact on the communities and industries we serve.
A UNI THAT LEADS IN ONLINE EDUCATION
A pioneer in online study, CQUniversity has more than two decades of experience providing high quality online learning experiences across the country and even internationally. We work hard to deliver the latest techniques in online study, and have even planned our physical sites to provide more services to our widespread online study cohort.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CONVENIENCE COUNTS
CQUniversity is truly focused on our students’ needs, and that means responding to what, how and where they want to study. It is why we are now Australia’s largest regional university, with more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations across five states, delivering TAFE and university qualifications in on-campus, online and supported online modes to more than 30 000 students.
A UNI THAT KNOWS YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
Career Opportunities
Students will gain hands-on experience in core construction techniques, including timber assembly, plumbing fundamentals, and the safe use of tools and materials. While these skills are directly aligned with trades such as carpentry and plumbing, they also have surprising relevance in creative and technical fields. From building stage sets for theatre productions to constructing outdoor installations, or even custom furniture, students will learn how the practical knowledge gained in this program can be applied in both traditional and unconventional ways. This Taster encourages students to see construction not just as a trade, but as a foundation for innovation, and creativity, while offering a hands-on understanding of trade environments and supports exploration of vocational pathways, apprenticeships, or work experience in the building and construction industry.
Structure & Availability
Career Taster
Duration:| Full Time Duration |
|---|
| 5 days |
This non-accredited Career Taster program is delivered face-to-face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus.
Get a real feel for what it’s like to work in the building and construction industry. This five‑day, hands‑on Career Taster introduces you to the core skills, tools and safety practices used across a range of construction trades. Across the week, you’ll take part in practical, guided activities that reflect real trade environments. You’ll learn how different areas of the industry work together, explore typical workplace processes, and gain an understanding of what’s involved in starting a trade pathway.
Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| NUCRT278A | WHS and Introduction to Building Foundations |
| NUCRT278B | Timber Construction Techniques |
| NUCRT278C | Pipework & Plumbing Systems |
Career Taster
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| July, 2026 | Mackay, Rockhampton |
This course has no residential schools.
Requirements
Enrolment in this course is subject to meeting the funding eligibility criteria for Career Tasters. Please see the Fees and Scholarships tab for more information.
During your study at CQUniversity
To take part in this Career Taster, students must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while in workshops and training areas. PPE is required to help keep students safe in practical learning environments.
Students are to wear:
- Closed-in safety boots with reinforced toe cap (Approved to AS/NZS 2210.3:2019)
- Long-sleeved cotton drill/twill shirt
- Long cotton drill or denim work pants
Important information
- PPE must be worn at all times when directed by CQUniversity staff.
- Students who do not wear the required PPE will not be able to participate in practical activities
Fees & Scholarships
The following Career Tasters course is made available at no cost to eligible year 10 Queensland students, thanks to the Australian Government and Queensland Government.
To be eligible to participate, students must be 15 to 17 years of age by the commencement of the month of their chosen intake and one of the following:
- a Year 10 student currently enrolled in a mainstream Queensland school including Home Education.
- enrolled in a Special Assistance School
- disengaged from school
Students participate by completing one Career Taster at a time, and may participate in a maximum of two Career Tasters in total.
Additional eligibility criteria apply, visit Career Tasters to learn more.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your Application Options
Follow These Steps
Start Your Application
Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way with your application, talk with one of our Student Advice team members by calling 13 27 86.
This course is a highly competitive course with limited places available and is subject to change based on availability.
