Trades

Develop the tools to work in high-demand industries, with a construction, electrical, plumbing or furniture trade course at Victoria University Polytechnic.

You'll learn hands-on skills in our multimillion-dollar, high-tech facilities at our Sunshine Campus. If you're joining us for an apprenticeship, you'll finish up with real project experience to back up your practical learning, so you can confidently apply for your dream job.

Why choose VU Polytechnic?

State-of-the-art facilities

You'll learn in our multimillion-dollar trades facilities. Modern, high-tech workshops include modelling software, plus labs for concreting, surveying, engineering, soldering and power-systems.
Connected with industry

You’ll learn from industry-connected teachers, and develop networks and experience through site visits, industry projects, real work, and industry-endorsed workshops and simulations.
Innovative, flexible & hands-on learning

At our Construction Hub, you'll get the hands-on learning and practical experience to back up your learning, and graduate ready to get started in your first trades job.

VU Polytechnic is open for on-campus activity. Our priority is always the safety, health and wellbeing of our students, staff and community.

Attend a trades tour & application support session

Join our trades tour at Sunshine Campus and/or be guided through your pre-apprenticeship application at VU Polytechnic.

Browse our Trades courses

Next intake date is shown on course pages.

Building & construction

Carpentry & cabinet making

Civil construction

Electrical

Engineering

Plumbing

Signage

Certificate III in Signs and Graphics CPC30216

Replacing a Door

Learn practical skills, such as replacing a door, with Trades Educator Daniel Vanboom.

Transcript for Replacing a Door

VU Polytechnic stories

Master apprentices

Jack and Emily posing with the presenter and third winner at the Master Builders Victoria Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards

At the 2022 Master Builders Victoria Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards, VU Polytechnic apprentices took out two of the three major awards.

Aron, Jake and Otto posing together with their certificates at the Master Builders Victoria Apprentice of the Year southwest region awards

Three VU Polytechnic carpentry apprentices from Geelong swept the 2021 Master Builders Victoria Apprentice of the Year southwest region awards.

Ben smiling, posing in his work gear in the middle of a work site.

VU Polytechnic carpentry apprentice Ben Taylor won Master Builders Association of Victoria’s 2020 State Apprentice of the Year. He says: “My experience during my training at VU was super positive. The teachers were passionate and knowledgeable.”

Ben's story

Strong foundations

Khamh at a work site, looking happy as he pauses during his current task!

VU Polytechnic carpentry apprentice Khamh Bik Thawng received the 2020 Master Builders Association of Victoria’s Building Industry Foundation Award. Khamh Bik says would like to help others with low-level English skills to enter the workforce.

Khamh's story

Women in trades

A female student learning cabinet-making.

There’s never been a better time to be a woman in trades. Find the perfect course for you at VU Polytechnic.

Find out more

Learning at VU Polytechnic - David's Journey

VU Polytechnic's multi-million dollar, Sunshine campus trades facilities allow students like Dave to put the knowledge they learn in class into practice right away. Training with teachers with direct industry experience is a major benefit for Dave, who is hoping to open up his own business once he becomes a qualified carpenter. Dave studied the Certificate III in Carpentry CPC30211 (now CPC30220).

Transcript for Learning at VU Polytechnic - David's Journey