Redesign of the Vocational Education and Training System

What’s happening?

New Zealand needs a strong vocational education system to ensure our people, industries, and communities can thrive.

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. We also expect that the number and coverage of ISBs could be different from the WDC model.

The plan also includes re-establishing financially sustainable regional polytechnics and changes to the work-based learning (WBL) model. More information can be found on MOE or TEC websites.

This page is your hub of information for the latest announcements, consultations and links to key sources to support your understanding of and transition to the new system.

TEC have provided this timeline:

• Consultation on ISB Coverage – 28 April to 20 May
• Decisions on ISB Coverage – mid-year
• Decisions on the network of ITPs – mid-year
• Select Committee process for legislation – mid-year
• July onwards – prepare for implementation

Consultation on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards opens

On Monday 28 April TEC commenced consultation on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), as well as some sectors where standards setting is proposed to transition to NZQA. Consultation will close 5pm Tuesday 20 May 2025.

The consultation document can be downloaded here. It includes details on the proposed coverage of the ISBs will manage, how the WBLs will be supported for the first two years, and proposals for the coverage of the ISBs.

Be sure to have your say.

Your voice matters. TEC and the Minister want to hear what Industry think about this proposal. All feedback from this consultation will be carefully considered. The views of all stakeholders will be important in helping the Minister for Vocational Education make final decisions.

TEC are running webinars on the ISB proposals in the consultation document over the next two weeks. Registrations for these can found on the TEC website here.

If you have any questions about this information or issues with accessing the survey, please contact [email protected]. Final decisions on the number and scope of Industry Skills Boards are expected to be announced by the middle of the year.

Or Make you Submission Here.

Decisions on work-based learning model

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.