THE LATEST on trades training
 

Back in September, we talked about the Government’s proposals for changing the way vocational training works in New Zealand, which was under consultation at the time.

The Government has recently announced its response to the feedback they got on how trades training should be managed, and while it looks like there will be even more consultation, things should be a bit clearer by the middle of the year.

Te Pūkenga, the national training organisation, is still set to be disestablished in favour of returning to local polytechnics and institutes of technology. Some of these will return as standalone organisations, which will first need to show that they are financially viable to stand alone, while others will band together into groups. We’re expecting a decision on which organisations will be established, and where, in the first half of 2025.

The Industry Skills Boards (led by industry) will take over from the existing Workforce Development Councils on setting the standards for trainees. Noone is sure yet how on-the-job training (apprenticeships) will be structured or funded, but we expect this will be part of the upcoming announcement.

Despite those unknowns, there are some things we do know. Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, intends to hold a targeted consultation on the two work-based learning options put forward in the consultation very early in 2025. The first independent polytechnics are expected to be up and running by 1 January 2026.

According to the Minister, “this is a tight timeframe but one that supports the earliest possible return to certainty for the sector after years of instability and change. Every effort will be made to ensure that education and training are not disrupted.”

Although there may be some changes to how training providers are organised, learners will be able to continue to enrol and study for qualifications while the changes are underway. As employers, it’s important to keep taking on and supporting apprentices and trainees to keep our trades sector going strong.” 

We’ll keep you in the loop on any updates once they’re announced. In the mean time, you can find out more about the official announcement around the changes here.