A new Industry Skills Board which includes automotive, transport and logistics will give employers more say in how apprentices and trainees are trained — part of a major reform to vocational education announced by the Government.
Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), set to begin operating from January 1, 2026, will help ensure New Zealand’s work-based training is more aligned with what employers need.
“The Government promised to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry. The Industry Skills Boards are a key part of delivering on that promise,” Simmonds says.
“This is all part of our plan to make sure that the training people receive is aligned to what industry needs, and skills are matched to ensure they are fit-for-purpose, paving the way for economic growth. We want to ensure our workforce across key growth sectors are ready to hit the ground running.”
The new boards will cover eight sectors:
- Automotive, transport and logistics
- Construction and specialist trades
- Food and fibre (including aquaculture)
- Infrastructure
- Manufacturing and engineering
- Services
- Health and community
- Electrotechnology and information technology
Each ISB will be led by industry experts and have the power to set training standards, oversee quality, and ensure apprenticeships and traineeships reflect employer and learner needs.
“They will set training standards, oversee quality, and make sure apprenticeships and traineeships match what employers and students need,” Simmonds says.
The boards will temporarily take over work-based training currently overseen by Te Pūkenga and be funded through a mix of core public funding, optional fees for quality assurance services, and voluntary industry levies.
About 250,000 people enter the vocational education system annually, with roughly half training on the job and the rest learning on campus or online.
“Whether you’re learning on the job or in a classroom, these changes will make your training more relevant and valuable,” Simmonds says.
“We want every apprentice and trainee to be confident their qualifications will be recognised by employers. Employers can trust the system to deliver skilled workers ready to step into roles.
“This is a win for apprentices, trainees, employers, and the economy. We’re building a modern, connected work-based learning system that supports quality jobs and drives the economic growth powering New Zealand’s future.”
