Built environment - VET study in built environment
VET study in built environment
Careers for built environment VET graduates
The VET sector also offers an excellent range of built environment training, most of which is at the technical, hands-on end of the spectrum, rather than the business or planning end.
Some courses will prepare you for paraprofessional roles in interior design or decoration, building surveying and design or architectural drafting. Paraprofessionals in this field may work independently in some cases, or as associates of the professionals in private practices.
For the practically inclined, there are trade qualifications that can lead to steady and varied work — consider the opportunities in building, plumbing, joinery, glazing, to name a few examples. Experienced tradespeople can look forward to self employment, management and even technical teaching.
Courses and specialisations
To work as a paraprofessional in a relevant field will probably require a diploma or advanced diploma rather than a certificate qualification, although certificate IV qualifications in landscape architecture or interior decoration are available.
Most certificate courses are related to the trades. They cover everything — carpentry, building construction, painting and decorating, roof tiling, you name it. Sometimes these courses will be undertaken as part of an apprenticeship, and some certificate I or II qualifications offer ‘pre-apprenticeship’ training for those who need a bit more experience in order to find an employer.
Getting in
The entry requirements and prerequisites will vary a great deal in this field. For example, an advanced diploma in landscape architecture will probably require completion of Year 12 and demonstration of your interest and aptitude in the area through an interview or presentation of a folio. Prerequisites in art and design, and perhaps maths, might also be required.
On the other hand, basic certificates (I or II) in a trade area will probably have no entry requirements or prerequisites, apart from Year 10. However, if you are looking to do an apprenticeship, these involve on- and off-the-job training so you also need to be employed. Pre-apprenticeship courses are available to help you gain employment. For more information check out the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Where to study?
VET courses in this field are mostly offered at TAFE institutes around the country, rather than at registered training organisations (RTOs), although RTOs will be more likely to offer design courses.
Many of the VET courses on offer in this field will be part of national training packages, so they will be fairly similar no matter where you do them.
Pathways
In some instances courses in this field may provide articulation pathways to higher levels of study both within the VET sector and the university sector. Credit and recognition of prior learning may be given for some of the lower level VET courses (such as certificate II, III or IV) towards diploma courses in the same or related subject areas.
Similarly, students who complete diploma or advanced diploma courses may be eligible for entry into degree courses in built environment. In such instances, recognition of prior learning may result in exemption from one to two years of the bachelor course.
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