Skills board to target automotive
An industry skills board (ISB) focusing on automotive, transport and logistics will be one of eight created by the government to support work-based learning.
Penny Simmonds, Minister of Vocational Education, says the ISBs will give industry a strong voice in developing learning programmes, ensuring the system delivers the right skills for a growing economy.
“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,” she explains.
“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.”
Simmonds adds the ISBs will be led by industry experts who know their trades and sectors best.
“They will set training standards, oversee quality and make sure apprenticeships and traineeships match what employers and students need.”
The eight boards will start operating from January 1, 2026, once legislation to support the move is passed this year.
They will also temporarily manage work-based training currently overseen by Te Pūkenga.
The other ISBs will cover construction and specialist trades, food and fibre, infrastructure, manufacturing and engineering, services, health and community, and electrotechnology and information technology.
Each board will have three main funding sources. They will receive some core public funding, they can choose to charge fees to fund their quality assurance functions, and industries can also decide to support ISBs through a levy.
Simmonds says the new system 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.”
The announcement comes after Simmonds announced in April that changes were being made to work-based learning so industries can have more influence over how they train apprentices and trainees.
At that time, the Motor Trade Association welcomed assurances from the minister that MITO – the training organisation for automotive – will emerge from the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga as an industry-owned and led body.
It said keeping training in the car industry’s hands will better enable employers to shape vocational training, ensuring it remains current and directly aligned with business needs.
