On August 1, the Government announced its proposed reforms to the vocational education and training system in Aotearoa New Zealand. A six-week consultation period is now open until 12 September 2024, giving you the opportunity to help shape the final structure.  

Industry voice is vital in building a system that develops a skilled and future-proofed workforce and meets the needs of both industry and learners. We strongly encourage you to take this opportunity to advocate for the needs of your industry by making a submission. 

What is being proposed 

The consultation document sets out three key proposals: 

• Proposal 1: A return to a regional institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITP) network that would see a combination of stand-alone ITPs and others joined in a federation model. 

• Proposal 2: Two options for an industry-led system for standards-setting and industry training:
  Option A – replace Workforce Development Councils with a small number (possibly up to 8) of Industry Training Boards, similar to the Industry Training Organisation system.
  Option B – replace Workforce Development Councils with a small number (possibly up to 8) of scaled down, industry-specific standards-setting bodies. 

• Proposal 3: Proposed changes to vocational education and training funding from 2026 to better support the reformed system. 

You can view the full consultation document and the Regulatory Impact Statement on the Ministry of Education website.  

Consultation  

The Ministry of Education website has a submission template and a link to the online submission form. If you require any help with your submission, we’re happy to provide information where we can. Please note that all submissions and feedback need to be in writing.   

We will be making our own submission and will share this once it is complete.  

The Ministry of Education with the Tertiary Education Commission will be holding regional kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) hui in the first four weeks, as well as online sessions throughout the consultation period. These information sessions will provide information about the proposals and attendees will be able to ask questions about the proposals and consultation process. The online sessions will include specific opportunities for each region, different industry stakeholder groups, learners, education providers and other key stakeholders.  

Regional face-to-face meetings are being held across the motu: Whangārei, Auckland Central, South Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill.   

Details of these sessions will be updated on the TEC website: Upcoming public meetings. TEC are adding new dates and locations often. 

Muka Tangata support

We are hosting short online discussion sessions on Tuesday and Fridays to discuss upcoming changes to vocational education and training for the food and fibre sector. 

Tuesdays – lunchtime and 3pm 

Fridays – 9.30am and lunchtime 

These online discussions will consider what implications any changes to vocational education and training will have for the food and fibre sector, and models and options for how training delivery might better meet the needs of our sector. We hope these discussions will help you form your submission to the Government during consultation on proposed changes to the current system.   

Please email [email protected] if you would like to be included and we’ll send you an invite.