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, three twelve week courses and evening-classes on a three hour per week basis.

The school 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
The dates for 2010 are January 25 - December 3.

Three 12 week courses in fine woodworking are being offered in 2009 and three in 2010.
For 2009: February 2nd - April 24th (no class on Easter Friday 10th April) with Michael Fortune
May 4th - July 24th with Adrian Potter (Cancelled)
August 10th - October 30th with David Upfill-Brown.

February 1st - April 23rd with Tim Rousseau (no class Good Friday 2nd April, but class on Easter Monday 4th April)
May 3rd - July 23rd with Tim Foster (class on Monday 14th June)
August 9th - October 29th with David Upfill-Brown