On this page:

• Overview of the ISBs’ coverage
• Finalising industry preferences for detailed coverage of Industry Skills Boards
• Introducing the Establishment Advisory Groups for the Industry Skills Boards 
• The role of the Establishment Advisory Groups
• Apply to be one of two industry-nominated Ministerial appointments for the first ISB Boards

Overview of the ISBs’ coverage

In April and May 2025, the Government consulted on a proposed model for the number and coverage groupings of ISBs. The consultation included a proposal to move the coverage for some sectors (creative industries and IT) to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Thank you to the groups and individuals that made submissions on the proposals. Your views helped inform final decisions by the Government on the number and coverage of ISBs.

We received 521 submissions on the proposals. Following this consultation, the Government has agreed (subject to the passing of legislation) to establish eight ISBs.

All industries will be covered by ISBs. NZQA will not initially take over any industry coverage.

The agreed ISBs will have the following broad coverage areas:

• Automotive, transport and logistics
• Construction and specialist trades
• Food and fibre 
• Health and community
• Infrastructure
• Manufacturing and engineering
• Services
• Electrotechnology and information technology.

As previously advised, Establishment Advisory Groups are being set up for each ISB to undertake a number of key functions during 2025 in preparation for standing up the ISBs in January 2026. Shortly they will be consulting with industry stakeholders regarding the detailed coverage areas of each ISB. This information will then be set out in the Order in Council that will formally establish each ISB.

Finalising industry preferences for detailed coverage of Industry Skills Boards

In April and May 2025, the Government consulted on a proposed model for the number and coverage groupings of ISBs. This consultation informed Cabinet’s decision to establish eight Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) with the following broad coverage noted above. 

The government will establish ISBs by issuing an Order in Council for each ISB under the Education and Training (Vocational Education System) Amendment Bill when it is passed into law. Orders in Council will set out the administrative arrangements for each ISB and will include important information such as the ISB’s name, the list of industry sectors it will have responsibility for, and matters related to the governance of the ISB. 

Submissions to further refine the industry coverage to inform the government’s proposals are now closed. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and the Ministry of Education will undertake preliminary consultation with industry on the content of each Order in Council in mid-September 2025. Formal consultation on the final proposals will occur once the Bill has been passed later this year.

We received lots of useful information about industry preferences for aligning coverage when we consulted publicly in April and May. Using that information, and through further engagement with some industry groups, we have developed the following indicative view of detailed coverage for each ISB.

Under the new legislation, all ISBs will be required to work closely together from 2026. We recognise that some industry sectors could be aligned with more than one ISB as their industry works closely with a wide range of different industries. Although each industry sector needs to be allocated to one ISB, industries may have input to the activities of another ISB where a qualification or other product is relevant to them.

Introducing the Establishment Advisory Groups for the Industry Skills Boards 

We are pleased to announce the members of these Establishment Advisory Groups (EAGs) for the Industry Skills Boards. All appointments were taken from the nominations we received from industry. Some nominations were not able to be progressed due to conflicts with current work by some industry groups on establishing industry-owned private training establishments (PTEs) to take over the delivery of work-based learning in the future from Te Pūkenga business divisions.

Appointing members to these groups is a key milestone in achieving the redesign of the vocational education and training system and ensuring that training aligns with industry needs and priorities. The members of the EAGs are expected to also transition across to form part of the membership of the new ISB Boards.

There is a dedicated Establishment Advisory Group for each Industry Skills Board that will be established in January 2026. These groups bring together a diverse mix of leaders selected for their deep expertise in the tertiary education sector, their strong connections to industries and their proven governance capabilities. 

We are pleased to have them undertake this work on behalf of industry.  

The role of the Establishment Advisory Groups

Establishment Advisory Groups make "in principle" decisions about the design of the new Industry Skills Boards. These decisions are intended to be confirmed by the Boards when they are established.

The key tasks for Establishment Advisory Groups will be to:

• finalise the details of industry coverage for the relevant ISB
• select (via a recruitment process) a Chief Executive-designate who can be appointed by the Board of the ISB once established
• endorse key policies that the governing body may need to adopt from 1 January 2026
• oversee the preparation of documentation that the governing body and the Chief Executive of the organisation will require on 1 January 2026 
• endorse a "starting" organisational structure for ISB delivery of functions and responsibilities from 1 January 2026, and determine which roles from the WDCs will transition into which ISB.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will provide information and administrative support to the EAGs.

During 2025 the current Workforce Development Councils continue to be the voice for industries in the tertiary education and training system. The EAGs' role is exclusively to perform a defined set of set up functions for the new ISBs which do not start operating until 2026.

Apply to be one of two industry-nominated Ministerial appointments for the first ISB Boards

The TEC is now inviting industries to nominate representatives who will be recommended as the two Ministerial appointees to the first ISBs. These boards will be in place from 1 January 2026.

Candidates will need strong governance and change management skills, an industry background, and an understanding of education and training.

What do nominees need?

Candidates are expected to have significant governance experience combined with strategic leadership experience. Collectively, the members of each ISB will need:

• experience of strategic planning, including financial planning and sustainability
• financial management experience, including capital asset management
• a well-tuned understanding of risk
• experience in maintaining high standards while managing large-scale change
• experience of effectively monitoring organisational performance in a governance or senior management role
• experience in industry leadership, and extensive knowledge of, and connections within, industry
• an understanding of education and training.

Who can nominate a candidate?

Industry bodies can nominate candidates, including, where appropriate, from industry bodies, employers, employees and iwi partners from the specified industries covered by the board. This ensures candidates have the backing of industry. Industry bodies must obtain the permission of the candidate to be nominated.

How to nominate a candidate

To nominate a candidate, please complete the Industry Skills Board Member Nomination Form.

Nominations must be received before 29 August 2025.