Industry training in New Zealand plays a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce and ensuring that people are equipped with the knowledge and competencies necessary to meet the demands of various industries.
The government is currently reviewing the structure of the vocational education and training sector. As we go through this review and the resulting changes from it, EarnLearn will continue to enrol and support trainees and apprentices through its training programmes and support our industries to grow the capability of the specialist trades workforce through national qualifications and training.
EMAIL us on haveyoursay@earnlearn.ac.nz if you have any questions or would like to provide feedback to us.
Consultation and Nominations for Governance of Industry Skills Boards
As part of the latest government decision on the future of industry training, the Government have opened consultation on the number and configuration of the future Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), which closes 5pm, 20 May 2025.
The ISBs will replace the existing six Workforce Development Councils. Specialist Trades is currently serviced by Waihanga Ara Rau. You can find out more about the VET review and read the latest updates here on our website.
The consultation currently proposes seven ISBs, with Infrastructure and Construction having separate ISB entities. The government want to hear from industry on what they want. Consultation closes 20 May 2025, with a decision expected mid-year.
Opportunities to find out more
Nominations to ISB Establishment Advisory Group
TEC are seeking nominations for the ISB Establishment Advisory Group. Three industry representatives per industry group will be appointed. Candidates will need to have availability to provide two days per month to the group, and will need to demonstrate strong governance skills, change management experience, industry background; and an understanding of education and training. Nominations close 13 June 2025.
ISB Webinars
TEC will be running webinars on the proposals set out in the consultation document over the next two weeks. Please register for a webinar that best suits your availability.
Thursday 1 May 2025 6pm to 7pm
Tuesday 6 May 2025 11am to 12pm
As part of their decision to redesign the system for industry training, the Government has decided to disestablish the current Workforce Development Councils and establish new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs).
The redesign proposes setting up seven ISBs that cover these broad areas:
› Automotive industries
› Construction industries
› Infrastructure industries
› Food and fibre industries
› Service industries
› Manufacturing and technology industries
› Social and community industries
The Government are proposing that the EarnLearn industries will be a part of the Construction Industries ISB, apart from Cranes which could sit with Manufacturing and Technology.
You can read the full proposal here: Government Proposal on ISB coverage
The Government is seeking feedback on the proposed ISB coverage which is open until 5pm 20th May. You can fill out the survey and have your say here: ISB Coverage Survey
This morning the Government announced a decision on the future system for vocational education and training (VET) within New Zealand as they continue to work toward the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.
Minister’s Press Release – you can read her statement here: A Better Path for Apprentices and Trainees
Trainees and Enrolments:
The most important thing to know in the first instance is that your trainees can continue to progress in their training programmes as they currently are and there will be no immediate disruption of our service to you. You can continue to enrol trainees and apprentices without disruption, and they will be fully supported to the end of their training programme.
Key points to the new system:
The government is introducing a new, independent, and industry-led model for work-based learning. Industry will be the deciders for where their training is to be delivered.
From 1 January 2026:
Work-based learning divisions of Te Pūkenga:
What is still to be announced:
Consultation on ISBs and their Configuration:
Consultation on ISBs will commence on Monday 28th April and close 20th May, with a decision to be released in June 2025.
TEC Webinars:
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is holding webinars on the new model next week. Please register at the links below:
EarnLearn Service Levels:
Please be assured that our services will continue as normal as we go transition to the new system. We will work to minimise disruption to any training or apprenticeship programmes or the learning support we provide.
PLEASE NOTE: Our staff are facing significant change and uncertainty, if you have any concerns about the level of service or our people, please email haveyoursay@earnlearn.ac.nz
We will regularly update this webpage and continue to provide updates as they become available.
This targeted consultation is on the options being considered for the future of work-based learning, as outlined in documents released by the Ministry of Education on Monday 27th January. You can view the documents here.
This consultation follows on from the VET Redesign consultation that occurred last year in August and September 2024.
20th December 2024, the Minister announced that a new option had come out of the consultation process, and they would be going back out to undertake targeted consultation with industry and employers on Option B (from the original consultation) and Option C (the new model).
The government are now asking for your view on these two options:
These options outline how industry apprentices and trainees will be supported through their industry apprenticeship or traineeship programmes and by which entities.
The questions in the new consultation ask:
1. Which of the two models – Independent or Collaborative work-based learning – does your organisation prefer?
2. Why will your preferred model work best for employers and learners in work-based learning?
3. What does your organisation think are the main benefits, costs and risks of each option for employers and learners in your industry?
4. Both models will involve a transition process, but this will be different for each. What will be the critical factors in making transitions work for your industry?
We encourage you to consider the impact of both options to our industries, and to have your say by making a submission to vocationaleducation.reforms@education.govt.nz.
Submissions are accepted up to 5pm on 21 February 2025. If you have any queries, please contact vocationaleducation.reforms@education.govt.nz.
EarnLearn has been invited to be a part of the targeted consultation with the Minister.
If you would like to provide any comments or feedback for EarnLearn to consider within our organisation’s submission, please email us on haveyoursay@earnlearn.ac.nz.
On Friday 20 December, the Government announced its plan for Vocational Education and Training (VET) in New Zealand as it proceeds with the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.
You can find the details of the Government’s announcement HERE.
Key points in brief for work-based learning:
· Following industry feedback in August on proposals for work-based learning, the government has developed a third option C.
· The government will hold targeted consultation in January, with those industry organisations that have provided feedback prior, on this new option C as well as option B from the previous proposals.
o Option B: The option provided in the August consultation establishing Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) with the added function of providing industry advice, with Work-Based learning divisions transitioned into some sort of provider like a PTE.
o Option C (new): Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) would be set up undertaking the functions of WDCs including standard setting, investment advice, qualification development. They will also undertake Work Based Learning functions of national coordination for specific industries and pastoral care.
§ The other functions of enrolments and educational components such as assessments would be through Institute of Technology and Polytechnics, Private Training Establishments and Wananga.
· Minister Hon Penny Simmonds intends to be at all the consultation meetings that will commence in late January.
· The minister intends to take decisions based on the outcome of consultation to Cabinet in the first half of 2025.
· A funding paper on the new vocational education and training structure will also be presented to Cabinet in the first half of 2025.
· Once a decision is made on Option B or Option C, consultation will then be held on the industry make-up of ISBs and the required numbers.
What you need to know about the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics:
The government also approved the legislative framework to disestablish Te Pūkenga.
· Financially viable Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) will be established as autonomous entities, with the goal of the first standalone ITPs being operational by 1 January 2026.
· Those that are financially unable to be standalone by 2026 will remain within Te Pūkenga during 2026 as other arrangements are explored to make them viable or options such as mergers, sales, and federation models are considered.
What this means for our learners and employers:
Please be assured our services will continue as normal in 2025 as we go through this next stage of consultation to determine the delivery of VET in New Zealand. We will work to minimise disruption to any training or apprenticeship programmes or the learning support we provide.
You may continue to enrol new learners in training programmes and they will receive all the support and tools they need. Your EarnLearn Account Manager should be your first point of contact if you have questions related to your individual learners.
The Tertiary Education Commission is leading communications on all VET changes and we will continue to provide updates via this webpage as they become available.
From 12noon on Friday 20th December, an announcement/press release is expected from the Minister after the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Redesign paper was approved through the Social Outcomes Committee this morning. The government has committed to disestablishing Te Pūkenga and restoring regional decision-making for vocational education. A consultation was undertaken from 01 August – 12 September 2024.
The announcement will signal the future VET system for EarnLearn and the other work-based learning divisions of Te Pūkenga, along with the Polytechnics and the Workforce Development Councils (who are currently gazetted as the industries standard setting bodies). You can review the options put forward for consultation on the Ministry of Education website and here.
The consultation period for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform has now ended.
Submissions are currently being analysed and TEC and MoE will provide further information about the next steps as decisions are made.
The VET Reform consultation period ran from 1 August to 12 September 2024 where TEC and MoE ran nationwide sessions for staff, industry stakeholder groups, learners, education providers and others interested in VET.
Hon. Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills released the proposed plan for the future of vocational education and training (VET) system in New Zealand.
The plan included a six-week consultation period in which New Zealanders were encouraged to have their say on the proposed structure, and what they believe is the best structure for New Zealand.
You can review the proposed changes HERE.
At the request of TEC, under section 332 of the Education and Training Act 2020, Te Pūkenga is engaging specialists to help with the mahi required to move all divisions to be financially sustainable. The initial work, which commenced July 2024, is focused on the 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs). The four organisations engaged are Volte Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Calibre Partners and Deloitte, with each specialist organisation focused on the specific ITPs within allocated regions.
You can read the communication between TEC and Te Pūkenga regarding the engagement of Specialists on the Te Pūkenga website under Corporate Documents ‘2024 Specialists to accelerate work to improve the viability and sustainability of former Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics’.
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