The purpose of this qualification is to provide the stonemasonry industry with graduates who have the knowledge and skills to complete stonemasonry work to the level required of a commercially competent stonemason.
This qualification is for people entering or working in the stonemasonry industry.
The strands in this qualification recognise the specific knowledge and skills required for three different areas of stonemasonry: Monumental Masonry, Construction Stonemasonry, and Natural Stone Fixtures and Fittings.
The optional strands recognise the specialist knowledge and skills required for Banker Masonry and Conservation and Preservation work, allowing graduates to specialise in one or more of these areas as related to their chosen strand in Monumental Masonry or Construction Stonemasonry.
Graduates will be able to work unsupervised and perform to the required safety, technical, quality and productivity standards expected in the stonemasonry industry.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Set up, operate and maintain tools and equipment used to carry out stonemasonry work.
- Apply legislative frameworks to carry out stonemasonry work to industry standards.
- Interpret working drawings and specifications, undertake measurements and calculations, and apply knowledge of materials to carry out stonemasonry work to project specifications.
- Plan work to fit with project requirements and communicate effectively with all parties to projects involving stonemasonry work.
- Select and process stone to carry out stonemasonry work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Operate to the required safety, technical, quality and productivity standards expected of a commercially competent stonemason.
- Self-manage ongoing learning to stay current with the stonemasonry industry standards and best practices.
- Provide leadership to others and maintain the professional standards expected of a commercially competent stonemason.

Graduates of the Monumental Masonry strand will also be able to:
- Comply with New Zealand consents and regional permit requirements for monumental masonry work.
- Produce designs for, set out, inscribe and finish new and existing memorials to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out the installation of memorials, including construction of foundations and post-installation finishing to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and perform repairs and refurbishment of memorials in a workshop or in situ to project specifications and industry standards.

Graduates of the Construction Stonemasonry strand will also be able to:
- Comply with New Zealand consents and apply principles of building science to carry out construction stonemasonry work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Set out construction stonemasonry work and construct foundations to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out stone cladding work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out stone flooring and paving work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out structural stonemasonry work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out dry stone construction work to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out stonemasonry work to create landscaping and architectural features to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and perform repairs and refurbishment of construction stonemasonry elements and structures to project specifications and industry standards.

Graduates of the Natural Stone Fixtures and Fittings strand will also be able to:
- Set out, form and finish natural stone fixtures and fittings to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and carry out the installation of natural stone fixtures and fittings, including post-installation finishing to project specifications and industry standards.
- Plan and perform repairs and refurbishment of natural stone fixtures and fittings to project specifications and industry standards.

Graduates of the Banker Masonry strand will also be able to:
- Plan and carry out banker masonry work including the creation of designs and templates and the use of different techniques to deep carve stone.

Graduates of the Conservation and Preservation strand will also be able to:
- Plan and carry out stonemasonry conservation and preservation work including the designs, processes and techniques required to conserve and restore stonework of historical, cultural or design significance.

This qualification may build on the Construction and Infrastructure Vocational Pathway for NCEA (Level 2), the New Zealand Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills (Level 3) [Ref: 3845] and the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Level 3) with strands in Allied Trades, Carpentry, and Joinery [Ref: 2834].
This qualification may lead to higher-level New Zealand construction-related trades qualifications and management qualifications.

The Banker Masonry optional strand may only be completed concurrently with, or upon completion of, one of these strands: Monumental Masonry or Construction Stonemasonry.
The Conservation and Preservation optional strand may only be completed concurrently with, or upon completion of, one of these strands: Monumental Masonry or Construction Stonemasonry.