Despite a rapidly growing interest in fine woodworking, very limited opportunities exist in Australia to learn the craft and design skills necessary for its practice.

To meet this need the Sturt School for Wood was established in 1985 to operate independently of the state tertiary system. The school runs a full-time (Certificate IV) course, two twelve week courses and evening-classes on a three hour per week basis.

The school is under the direction of Tom Harrington and offers fee paying students the opportunity to gain a sound foundation in both the making and design of fine woodwork

CERTIFICATE IV FULL-TIME COURSE

The course requires full-time attendance for one year. Participants are eligible to apply for Austudy living allowance. All graduates who successfully complete the course receive a nationally recognised Certificate (Level IV) qualification

The course offers each student:

• Predominantly practical instruction covering a broad range of fine woodworking skills
• Related theoretical and design studies and technical drawing
• Intensive training in the use of a comprehensive range of woodworking machinery
• Personal bench space within a small group
• Individual guidance from a well established and respected professional woodworker
• Specialist visiting lecturers
• Visits to other workshops, exhibitions, timber yards, suppliers etc.
• Use of library, fully equipped photographic studio/darkroom and other resources
• Full accreditation for AUSTUDY for those eligible
• A recognised tertiary qualification (Certificate IV) for all successful graduates
• A superb working environment
• The course objective is to develop, in one year, the personal skill, knowledge and confidence that will provide a strong foundation in the craft, enabling graduates to continue working with wood as a profession.

Entrance is by individual assessment.
A high degree of personal motivation and commitment is essential.

The full Prospectus for 2009 is available here

Three 12 week courses in fine woodworking are being offered in 2008 and 2009.
The dates for 2008 are: 3 March - 23 May, 30 June - 19 September and 29th September - 19th December.
For 2009: February 2nd - April 24th (no class on Easter Friday 10th April); May 4th - July 24th; August 10th - October 30th.