Eight New Industry Skills Boards to Overhaul Vocational Training by 2026

In a bold move to reform vocational education and align it more closely with industry needs, the Government has announced the creation of eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). The initiative, unveiled by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds, aims to give industries a leading voice in shaping training, ensuring that work-based learning reflects real-world demands and delivers long-term economic benefits for New Zealand.

The ISBs will officially begin operations from 1 January 2026, once legislation is passed later this year, and are a key step in fulfilling the Government’s commitment to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry experts.

“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,” said Minister Simmonds.

A New Industry-Led Era in Vocational Training

The new system is designed to ensure training is fit-for-purpose, responsive, and directly tied to current and future skills shortages. Each Industry Skills Board will be led by industry experts — professionals who understand the realities of their respective sectors and can steer educational standards accordingly.

“We want to ensure our workforce across key growth sectors are ready to hit the ground running,” Simmonds explained. “These boards will help ensure that apprenticeships and traineeships are tailored to the evolving needs of employers and learners.”

Scope and Coverage of the ISBs

The ISBs will temporarily take over the work-based training responsibilities currently held by Te Pūkenga, New Zealand’s national polytechnic network. The eight boards will represent the following sectors:

1. Automotive, Transport, and Logistics

2. Construction and Specialist Trades

3. Food and Fibre (including aquaculture)

4. Infrastructure

5. Manufacturing and Engineering

6. Services

7. Health and Community

8. Electrotechnology and Information Technology

These areas represent strategic growth sectors for the country’s economy and are key to building a resilient and future-ready workforce.

Funding Structure and Industry Support

The ISBs will operate under a three-pronged funding model:

• Core public funding from the Government to support their foundational operations.

• Optional fees charged by ISBs to fund their quality assurance and accreditation functions.

• Industry levies, which sectors can choose to pay voluntarily to ensure boards are well-resourced and remain closely aligned with their interests.

This flexible funding arrangement is designed to encourage co-investment from industries while ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Impact on Learners and Employers

With around 250,000 learners entering New Zealand’s vocational education system each year — half via on-the-job training and the other half through campus-based or online learning — the changes are expected to have a widespread impact across the country.

Minister Simmonds emphasized that whether a learner is training in a workshop, on a farm, in a hospital, or through virtual platforms, their qualifications will be relevant, recognised, and respected.

“We want every apprentice and trainee to be confident their qualifications will be recognised by employers. Employers can trust the system to deliver skilled workers ready to step into roles,” she said.

Building a Modern, Connected Training System

The launch of the Industry Skills Boards is part of a broader reboot of vocational education aimed at fostering a more modern, connected, and outcomes-driven system. It will place decision-making in the hands of people who are closest to the work and who understand how skills contribute to productivity, job quality, and business competitiveness.

By giving employers a direct line into the education pipeline, the ISBs are expected to drive improvements in quality, relevance, and responsiveness, helping both workers and businesses thrive in an increasingly dynamic economy.

“This is a win for apprentices, trainees, employers, and the economy,” Simmonds said. “We're building a system that supports quality jobs and drives the economic growth powering New Zealand’s future.”