The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) leads this work with government and sector partners, supporting a more connected, coordinated and effective careers system.

The NCSS Action Plan (2026/2027)

The 2026/2027 Action Plan has four priority workstreams. Each workstream contains several actions to support the careers system to move towards the desired future state outlined in the NCSS.

The workstreams align closely with the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) and the Government’s Going for Growth – Developing Talent priorities.

The primary focus of the Action Plan is on:

• tertiary learners – improving access, participation, achievement and transitions
• the careers workforce – enabling better guidance through improved tools, resources and capability.

The needs of Māori, Pacific and disabled learners and other underrepresented groups are embedded across all workstreams.

Work also continues across the system on secondary transitions; young people not in education, employment or training; and older New Zealanders transitioning in and through work.

The four workstreams and their actions

1. Understanding tertiary-education-to-employment pathways

The difference this will make: Improved understanding of the impact of careers information and guidance in tertiary education, helping to inform policy, investment and resources.

2. Developing and sharing good practice, insights and resources

The difference this will make: Improved access to high-quality, up-to-date careers information and tools, aligned to learner needs and the Tertiary Education Strategy priorities.

3. Building career workforce capability and leadership

The difference this will make: A more capable and confident careers workforce delivering consistent, high-quality support across education, employment and community settings.

4. Understanding what works

The difference this will make: Stronger evaluation and evidence to guide continuous improvement and system leadership.

2026/2027 Action Plan (PDF 197 KB)

Early progress under way

These actions are already in progress, including:

• a coordinated Tahatū Career Navigator and Career Practice Hub content strategy (Workstream 2)
• improving access to job insights, including emerging trends like AI (Workstream 2)
• new onboarding resources for frontline government staff (Workstream 3)
• international engagement through the International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy (ICCDPP) symposium (Workstream 4). 

What has been achieved

Implementation of the eight delivery workstreams within the original Action Plan was staggered across two years (2024–26). Many of these actions were foundational, meaning they needed to be delivered before other actions could be started.

Several agencies with key roles in the careers system were responsible for implementing the actions. The Action Plan set out the lead agencies for each workstream and noted that, while those agencies may have ultimate responsibility for the actions, various stakeholders contributed to the work.

Key achievements include:

• stronger national leadership and cross-agency coordination
• inclusion of careers in the new Government’s Going for Growth – Developing Talent pillar
• increased cross-agency recognition of careers as a driver of education and employment outcomes
• release of the Career Practice Hub on Tahatū Career Navigator to support workforce capability
• publication of Rangatahi Futures – in conjunction with Hāpai Tūhono
• publication of the Careers Quality Framework
• improved visibility and quality of careers information and tools
• research and insights to inform the future development of Tahatū Career Navigator
• strengthening career insights for New Zealand’s low-paid workers and their career development needs.

See the previous Action Plan (PDF 245 KB).

More information

• Tahatū Career Navigator
• Career Practice Hub
• Rangatahi Futures
• New Zealand’s Careers Quality Framework

Coming soon: a link to research on low-paid workers and their career development needs.