National Certificate in Civil and Building Technology
This course develops your ability to plan and carry out building work through sound construction methods and safe site practice.
About the course
This course develops your ability to plan and carry out building work through sound construction methods and safe site practice. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Interpret a building drawing and check the dimensions needed for setting out.
Plan and complete supervised excavation, concrete or masonry tasks using suitable methods.
Inspect building work and record defects, quality checks and corrective action.
Requirements
Review your English, numerical skills and introductory knowledge of the subject. Prepare to follow technical instructions, record results and complete supervised practical work. Check the provider's published admission requirements for this certificate before enrolment.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 12 subjects
1Specialist subjects6 subjects
2Foundations and shared practice4 subjects
3Practical integration2 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
12 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Brick And Blocklaying. Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
- Bonding Practice. Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
- Building Renovations. Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
- Setting Out And Excavation. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Concrete Works. Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
- Construction Information Technology. Study the coordination of materials, work methods and resources on a construction task. Practice centres on a construction method plan and inspection record, drawing on drawings, specifications and work requirements and materials, storage and site preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
Foundations and shared practice
- Safety, Health, Environment And Quality. Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
- Workplace Communication. Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
- National Studies. Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Practical integration
- On The Job Education And Training. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect brick and blocklaying, bonding practice with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate brick and blocklaying, bonding practice within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: applied questions, calculations or short cases linked to the learning areas.
- Suggested practical assessment: demonstrate a procedure and submit a portfolio showing your method, results and quality checks.
- Explain your decisions to the assessor and use feedback to improve the completed work.
Practical application
Complete a supervised building project or full simulation, with setting-out records, material estimates, work methods and quality checks.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Brick And Blocklaying
Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare materials and a sequence for a defined building task.
- Complete supervised work to stated dimensions and workmanship criteria.
- Inspect the work and document defects or corrective action.
Main topics
- Materials, mixes and storage
- Drawings, setting-out and work preparation
- Bonds, joints, levels and alignment
- Concrete placement, curing and workmanship
- Defects, repair choices and quality checks
- Site safety, waste and work records
Practical task
For Brick And Blocklaying, prepare a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Bonding Practice
Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare materials and a sequence for a defined building task.
- Complete supervised work to stated dimensions and workmanship criteria.
- Inspect the work and document defects or corrective action.
Main topics
- Materials, mixes and storage
- Drawings, setting-out and work preparation
- Bonds, joints, levels and alignment
- Concrete placement, curing and workmanship
- Defects, repair choices and quality checks
- Site safety, waste and work records
Practical task
For Bonding Practice, prepare a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Assessment
Direct observation of the task, the completed output and oral explanation of the method.
Building Renovations
Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare materials and a sequence for a defined building task.
- Complete supervised work to stated dimensions and workmanship criteria.
- Inspect the work and document defects or corrective action.
Main topics
- Materials, mixes and storage
- Drawings, setting-out and work preparation
- Bonds, joints, levels and alignment
- Concrete placement, curing and workmanship
- Defects, repair choices and quality checks
- Site safety, waste and work records
Practical task
For Building Renovations, prepare a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Setting Out And Excavation
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Setting Out And Excavation, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Concrete Works
Study the construction and inspection of basic masonry and concrete work. Practice centres on a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio, drawing on materials, mixes and storage and drawings, setting-out and work preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare materials and a sequence for a defined building task.
- Complete supervised work to stated dimensions and workmanship criteria.
- Inspect the work and document defects or corrective action.
Main topics
- Materials, mixes and storage
- Drawings, setting-out and work preparation
- Bonds, joints, levels and alignment
- Concrete placement, curing and workmanship
- Defects, repair choices and quality checks
- Site safety, waste and work records
Practical task
For Concrete Works, prepare a supervised masonry, concrete or renovation task portfolio in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensions, material suitability and observable workmanship.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Construction Information Technology
Study the coordination of materials, work methods and resources on a construction task. Practice centres on a construction method plan and inspection record, drawing on drawings, specifications and work requirements and materials, storage and site preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret the information needed to prepare a construction task.
- Plan a suitable sequence with resources and quality checks.
- Evaluate completed work using drawings and inspection evidence.
Main topics
- Drawings, specifications and work requirements
- Materials, storage and site preparation
- Work methods and construction sequence
- Labour, plant and resource coordination
- Inspection, measurement and quality records
- Site responsibilities, handover and defects
Practical task
For Construction Information Technology, prepare a construction method plan and inspection record in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Foundations and shared practice
Safety, Health, Environment And Quality
Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Learning outcomes
- Identify hazards and select controls appropriate to the task.
- Follow an agreed safe-work and quality-check procedure.
- Record an incident or defect and recommend corrective action.
Main topics
- Hazard identification and exposure routes
- Risk assessment and control hierarchy
- Safe work preparation and protective equipment
- Environmental impacts and waste handling
- Incident reporting and emergency communication
- Inspection records and corrective action
Practical task
For Safety, Health, Environment And Quality, prepare a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Workplace Communication
Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Learning outcomes
- Choose language and a channel suited to the audience.
- Prepare an accurate written or spoken service message.
- Respond to feedback while preserving a reliable record.
Main topics
- Purpose, audience and communication channels
- Listening, questioning and confirmation
- Professional correspondence and reports
- Meetings, briefings and presentation
- Difficult conversations and service recovery
- Confidentiality, accessible language and records
Practical task
For Workplace Communication, prepare a communication portfolio with a service scenario in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
National Studies
Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a civil and building technology setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Practical integration
On The Job Education And Training
Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect brick and blocklaying, bonding practice with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Learning outcomes
- Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
- Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
- Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.
Main topics
- Workplace induction and agreed duties
- Applying technical knowledge to real work
- Work records and evidence of contribution
- Team communication and professional conduct
- Supervisor feedback and skills development
- Reflective review and future learning priorities
Practical task
Complete supervised duties linked to National Certificate in Civil and Building Technology. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate brick and blocklaying, bonding practice within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Complete a supervised building project or full simulation, with setting-out records, material estimates, work methods and quality checks.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Instructors
