Industry voice is front and centre in the new VET changes recently announced.
Here are some of the main points announced by the Government so far:
- Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be established to manage standard setting of qualifications, with major industry governance. The ISBs will launch in January 2026 with 8 board members -6 board members from industry. Until then, ISB Establishment Advisory Groups (EAGs) will support the set up of the ISBs.
- Te Pukenga will be disestablished, and its workbased learning divisions – for example, Competenz, Service IQ, BCITO – (including existing trainees) will transfer to an ISB for two years to ensure a smooth transition.
- This represents a new industry-led independent workbased learning model:
- Work based learning can be offered by any provider as long as they meet the government’s quality and funding standards
- ISBs set up to ensure all qualifications needed by industry are met
- ISBs will make the decision about whether they want to support an industry PTE, or other providers.
- Industry Skills Board nominations are currently being sought from industries – find out more here
- The Government is currently proposing to set up seven ISBs with coverage across the following broad industries:
- Food and Fibre
- Construction
- Infrastructure
- Manufacturing and technology
- Automotive
- Social and community
- Service
- Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the new changes will give industries more control over how they train people. The Minister’s full news release is here
And here’s your quick guide to all the acronyms:
TEC- Tertiary Education Commission
VET -Vocational Education and Training
WBL -Work-based learning
ISB – Industry Skills Board
EAG – Establishment Advisory Group
ISB EAG – Industry Skills Board Establishment Advisory Group
PTE – Private Training Establishment (NZQA registered training provider)
NZQA – New Zealand Qualifications Authority
More information is available on the TEC website
