QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Qualification Title
New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Construction (Level 3) with strands in
Pile Foundations, and Concrete Foundation Walls and Concrete Slab Onground
Version
1.0
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
46-67
NZSCED
040399 Architectural and Building > Building > Building not elsewhere
classified
Strategic purpose
statement
This qualification is designed to provide the construction industry with
trained people who have attained the practical skills, knowledge and
aptitude to work professionally, constructing foundations for building
projects.
The qualification provides recognition of knowledge and skills for people
working in construction contracting situations as foundations specialists, as
well as those working in the building relocation industry.
This qualification supports the Ministry of Business, Innovation &
Employment – Building & Housing’s Builder Licensing Scheme, providing
eligibility for a streamlined application process toward the Foundations
Licence Class. The Foundations Licence is compulsory for those
constructing building foundations from March 2012.
Outcome Statement
Graduate
profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

understand and operate within the regulatory environment as it applies
to foundation construction work

interpret approved building consent documentation to effectively plan
and prepare for foundation construction work

calculate, order and coordinate appropriate materials, labour, plant and
equipment required to undertake foundation construction work

establish and maintain professional working relationships with their
team and with other trades, professions and regulatory authorities

work safely at all times and manage environmental issues on site
Graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Construction
(Level 3) with a strand in Concrete Foundation Walls and Concrete Slab
On-ground are also able to:

carry out foundation preparation and construction work for concrete
foundation walls and concrete slab on ground
Graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Construction
(Level 3) with strands in Pile Foundations, and Concrete Foundation Walls
and Concrete Slab On-ground are also able to:

carry out foundation construction work for concrete or timber pile
foundations
Qualification Reference 1814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
Page 1 of 5
Education
pathway
This qualification can build on from the National Certificate in Concrete
Core Skills (Level 2) [Ref: 1452] or the National Certificate in Building,
Construction, and Allied Trades Skills (Level 2) [Ref: 1368], and can provide
a pathway to the following:
• National Certificate in Concrete Construction (Placing and Finishing)
(Level 3) [Ref: 1633]
• National Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) [Ref: 0016]
• National Certificate in Concrete Construction (Level 4) [Ref:1634]
• National Certificate in Construction Trades (Supervisor) (Level 4) with an
optional strand in Business Management [Ref: 1661]
Employment
pathway
Graduates of this qualification will be people wishing to work in the building
industry constructing foundations, or people already working in the industry
as contract foundations specialists or in building relocation. Holders of this
certificate will be able to apply for a Licensed Building Practitioner –
Foundations licence with the Ministry of Business, Innovation &
Employment – Building & Housing, and will be qualified to construct
foundations for building projects with limited supervision.
Achieving this qualification may lead to other employment and professional
opportunities including those of a:
• Foreman
• Supervisor
• Carpenter in residential and commercial construction
Qualification
Developer
Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation
Qualification Specification
Qualification award
This qualification may be awarded by the Building and Construction
Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) as the qualification developer and
the industry training organisation arranging training leading to the
qualification under section 5 of the Industry Training Act 1992.
This qualification may also be awarded by an education provider recognised
as a programme owner, accredited under section 259 of the Education Act
1989 to deliver a programme leading to this qualification.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification will display the
NZQF logo and may also include the name or logo of the qualification
developer and/or other awarding body.
Review period
60 months
Evidence
Requirements for
Assuring
Consistency
All education organisations delivering programmes that lead to the award of
the qualification are required to participate in a consistency process
scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve review of evidence associated with graduate’s achievement
of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds for qualification outcome
achievement, and areas for improvement.
Qualification Reference 1814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
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To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification graduate
profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their own evidence in a high
level report.
Evidence may include the following:

Programme statistics such as completion data and graduate
destination data

Evidence from internal and/or external moderation processes.

Documentation of processes that ensure programmes continue to
meet current industry needs.

Regular feedback gathered from learners and employers

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the consistency process can be found at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/consistency-of-graduateoutcomes/
Credit transfer and
recognition of prior
learning
arrangements
Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) delivering programmes that lead to
award of this qualification may transfer credit and recognise prior learning in
accordance with their own credit recognition policies and procedures.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment standards are used for
assessment within programmes of study or training leading to this
qualification.
Recognition of current competence acknowledges the skills and knowledge
gained from work and experience, or from courses or study undertaken.
Assessment of recognition of current competence may be conducted by an
assessor appointed by the Building and Construction Industry Training
Organisation or an organisation with consent to assess.
Minimum standard
of achievement and
standards for grade
endorsements
(where applicable)
Achievement of the Core Components and at least one of the two strands :
Other conditions
for qualification
All candidates must hold a current first aid certificate to be awarded this
qualification.
New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Construction (Level 3) with a strand
in Pile Foundations = 46 credits
New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Construction (Level 3) with a strand
in Concrete Foundation Walls and Concrete Slab-On-ground = 67 credits
TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must maintain
currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation,
regulations, rules, and Australia/New Zealand Standards.
Qualification Reference 1814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
Page 3 of 5
Conditions relating to specific outcomes
Qualification Outcomes
(including indicative
credit values for each
outcome)
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
Understand and operate
within the regulatory
environment as it applies to
foundation construction
work.
(3 credits)
Programmes must reflect industry best practice and
must ensure that graduates are able to meet
Competency 1-3 and the related performance
indicators, as specified in the Licensed Building
Practitioners Rules 2007: Schedule 1 Licence Class
Competencies for Foundations Class.
Mandatory
Interpret approved building
consent documentation to
effectively plan and
prepare for foundation
construction work.
(8 credits)
Unit standard
Unit standard
Unit standard
Unit standard
Unit standard
Optional
12997
13040
24364
26056
27160
Calculate, order and
coordinate appropriate
materials, labour, plant and
equipment required to
undertake foundation
construction work.
(9 credits)
Establish and maintain
professional working
relationship with their team
and with other trades,
professions and regulatory
authorities.
(3 credits)
Work safely at all times and
manage environmental
issues on site.
(3 credits)
Carry out foundation
preparation and
construction work for
concrete foundation walls
and concrete slab on
ground.
(41 credits)
Carry out foundation
construction work for
concrete or timber pile
foundations.
(20 credits)
Programmes must reflect industry best practice and
must ensure that graduates are able to meet
Competency 4: Area of practice 1 and the related
performance indicators, as specified in the Licensed
Building Practitioners Rules 2007: Schedule 1
Licence Class Competencies for Foundations Class.
Mandatory
Unit standard 13009
Unit standard 13043
Unit standard 13045
Unit standard 13046
Unit standard 26048
Optional
Programmes must reflect industry best practice and
must ensure that graduates are able to meet
Competency 4: Area of practice 2 and the related
performance indicators, as specified in the Licensed
Building Practitioners Rules 2007: Schedule 1
Licence Class Competencies for Foundations Class.
Mandatory
Qualification Reference 1814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
Page 4 of 5
Unit standard 24380
Unit standard 24396
Optional
Republication Information
Version 1 of this qualification was republished April 2015 to update the Evidence requirements for
managing consistency.
Version 1 of this qualification was republished May 2015 to update the Evidence requirements for
managing consistency.
Qualification Reference 1814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
Page 5 of 5