The N1 to N3 National Certificates in the Building and Civil Engineering programme covers all the trades in Building and Civil-related industries.

Career Options

What will I be qualified as once I’ve completed this course?

The holder of a National N1 – N3 Certificate in Building and Civil Engineering will be able to take up employment in one of the following fields in construction.

  • Carpentry
  • Bricklaying
  • Plumbing
  • Painting
  • Wood machinist and joinery
  • Specialised field in the industry (roofing, tiling, glazing, cabinetmaking, waterproofing, trainee draughtsperson)

What will I be able to do?

  • Take up a position as an apprentice or student technician to gain the necessary industrial experience to be able to do a trade test.

In which industries will I be able to work?

  • In any Building and Civil-related industry.

What could I do to further improve my skills and my chances of furthering my career?

Achieving the necessary entry requirements at academic level in N3 of this course will enable you to continue studying the N4 – N6 Certificates and ultimately obtain the National N-Diploma. Alternatively the N4 Certificate with Mathematics and Engineering Science also gives access to enter Higher Education at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) should you meet the entry requirements for that institution.

Programme Structure

What will I be studying during this course?

N1 

  • Mathematics
  • Building Drawing
  • Engineering or Building Science
  • A trade subject – select one of the following: Woodworkers/Plumbing/Bricklaying/Painting Theory

N2 

  • Mathematics
  • Building Drawing
  • Engineering or Building Science
  • A trade subject – select one of the following: Woodworkers/Plumbing/Bricklaying/Painting Theory 

N3 

  • Mathematics
  • Building Drawing
  • Engineering or Building Science
  • Building and Civil Technology

Admission Requirements

What do I need to have completed before I can apply to study this course?

  • N1: Minimum of Grade 11with Mathematics above 50%
  • N2: N1 or equivalent
  • N3: N2 or equivalent

How do I get an apprenticeship to allow me entry into this course?

  • You must be registered as an apprentice with a company.

Duration

  • Each level is one trimester (12 weeks)