Vocational Education and Training Review

Industry training in New Zealand plays a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce and ensuring that people are equipped with the knowledge and competencies necessary to meet the demands of various industries.

The government is currently reviewing the structure of the vocational education and training sector. As we go through this review and the resulting changes from it, Connexis will continue to enrol and support trainees and apprentices through its training programmes and support our industries to grow the capability of the specialist trades workforce through national qualifications and training.

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Latest News

12 September 2024

The consultation period for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform has now ended.

Submissions are currently being analysed and TEC and MoE will provide further information about the next steps as decisions are made.

The VET Reform consultation period ran from 1 August to 12 September 2024 where TEC and MoE ran nationwide sessions for staff, industry stakeholder groups, learners, education providers and others interested in VET.

 
1 August 2024

Hon. Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills released the proposed plan for the future of vocational education and training (VET) system in New Zealand.

The plan included a six-week consultation period in which New Zealanders were encouraged to have their say on the proposed structure, and what they believe is the best structure for New Zealand.

You can review the proposed changes HERE.

30 July 2024

At the request of TEC, under section 332 of the Education and Training Act 2020, Te Pūkenga is engaging specialists to help with the mahi required to move all divisions to be financially sustainable. The initial work, which commenced July 2024, is focused on the 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs). The four organisations engaged are Volte Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Calibre Partners and Deloitte, with each specialist organisation focused on the specific ITPs within allocated regions.

You can read the communication between TEC and Te Pūkenga regarding the engagement of Specialists on the Te Pūkenga website under Corporate Documents '2024 Specialists to accelerate work to improve the viability and sustainability of former Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics'.

Industry Review timeline

12 September 2024 - Consultation period ends.

1 August 2024 – The Government announces proposed plan for the future structure of the VET sector, and consultation process begins.

2 February 2024 - Te Pūkenga announced a consultation to commence 12 February for those staff sitting on disestablishment letters in order to provide the options available to them.

    7 December 2023 - the new Government announced its intention to disestablish Te Pūkenga.

    October 2023 - Te Pūkenga employees impacted by the new structure were provided letters confirming their roles to be disestablished.

    September 2023 - Te Pūkenga announced its decision on its new organisational structure moving to six business groups and four regions for training delivery.

    October 2021 - Six Workforce Development Councils were established – About WDCs – The standard setting functions, strategic research and leadership for Industry training transitioned from TITOs into WDCs. To note ITOs had undertaken this function unfunded for years.

    September 2021 - Connexis Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation transitioned into a Division of Te Pūkenga.

    1 April 2020 - The Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Act came into effect. It amended the Education Act 1989 and repealed the Industry Training and Apprenticeships Act 1992. Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) were now referred to as Transitional Industry Training Organisations (TITOs).

    1 August 2019 - Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, announced the Government’s decisions on the Reform of Vocational Education proposals with seven key changes. More information can be found here.

    13 February 2019 - The Minister of Education Chris Hipkins presented the three proposals to the vocational education and training sector and launched a seven-week consultation.

    2018 - The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) engaged with vocational education and training sector stakeholders. From this, the Government made three main proposals for change:

    • New roles for providers and industry bodies.
    • A New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology serving all of New Zealand.
    • A unified funding system.
    If you have any questions or would like to provide your thoughts on the Future of Industry Training, please email us at askus@connexis.org.nz