Last year we worked across the food and fibre sector during consultation on the Government’s proposed reforms to the vocational education and training system in Aotearoa New Zealand. Thank you to all who took the opportunity to advocate for the needs of our sector during the consultation period.
On 20 December 2024 the Government announced their plans for a new vocational education system.
You can read the Minister’s announcement here: Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions | Beehive.govt.nz
Today TEC has commenced consultation on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards. The proposals also include some sectors where standards setting is proposed to transition to NZQA.
The consultation document can be found here: Consultation on Industry Skills Boards’ coverage | Tertiary Education Commission
TEC will be running webinars on the proposals set out in the consultation document in the next two weeks.
You can register for a webinar here: Consultation on Industry Skills Boards’ coverage | Tertiary Education Commission
Consultation runs from 28 April until 5.00pm Tuesday 20 May 2025
Nominations for Establishment Advisory Groups for Industry Skills Boards
The TEC is also inviting industries to nominate representatives to help establish the Industry Skills Boards.
Each Industry Skills Board will have an Establishment Advisory Group with three members from industry. Establishment Advisory Groups will be responsible for ensuring each Industry Skills Board can successfully stand up on day one. The role of the Establishment Advisory Groups is focused on governance rather than industry advocacy.
Candidates will need strong governance and change management skills, an industry background and an understanding of education and training.
Nominations received before 13 June 2025 will be considered for the Establishment Advisory Groups which will operate through 2025.
However, industry nominations after this date are still welcomed. Later nominations will be considered for any unfilled positions on Establishment Advisory Groups or for additional members of the first boards of Industry Skills Boards.
We encourage industry bodies to get involved to ensure Industry Skills Board are industry-led from the very beginning.
Further information on the Establishment Advisory Groups and the nomination process can be found here: Help establish Industry Skills Boards | Tertiary Education Commission
Background
The Government has decided to disestablish the current Workforce Development Councils and establish new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs).
The ISBs will take on some of the WDC functions from January 2026. There will be differences between WDCs and ISBs. ISBs will have a role strongly focused around their standards setting function with a lower level of government funding available and we also expect that the number and coverage of ISBs could be different from the WDC model.
Today the Minister for Vocational Education Hon Penny Simmons announced the future transition arrangements for workplace learning out of Te Pūkenga.
The Minister’s announcement can be found here: A better path for apprentices and trainees
There is also further information on the TEC website: New work-based learning model
Key points
Minister Simmonds has indicated that the functions of Workforce Development Councils (standards setting, quality assurance, workforce analysis and planning, and providing advice on funding to the Tertiary Education Commission) will be taken over by new entities known as Industry Skills Boards.
We’re committed to making the transition as smooth as possible and will keep you up to date with any important updates or changes. There will be further consultation at some point in 2025 about the scope of coverage of Industry Skills Boards, which will be of interest to the food and fibre sector.
The Minister will be seeking further feedback from industry on how work-based learning should be structured, and WDCs will continue to operate in the interim. We value the role of work-based learning in the food and fibre sector, and are committed to ensuring continued delivery in ways that meet industry and employer needs.
It is anticipated that the new system will come into effect in 2026. During the coming year, and over the transition period, our focus remains on delivering solutions to meet the needs of industry, Māori agribusiness, learners, and employees in the food and fibre sector. We will continue to undertake our functions and work plan as laid out in our 2024-2026 Operational Plan. Our qualifications development projects, quality assurance, and work on our Workforce Development Plan Roadmap actions will continue until the end of June 2025 as planned.
More information and resources will be added to this page, so watch this space.
We will also continue to share news and updates on our website news feed, Linkedin, and Facebook pages.
Muka Tangata submission on proposals:
Muka Tangata has prepared the submission below on the government’s proposals: our submission.
TEC has commenced consultation on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards. The proposals also include some sectors where standards setting is proposed to transition to NZQA.
Read more about the proposal and how they might affect your industry here ›
