About vocational education
Mō te mātauranga ahumahi
New Zealand’s vocational education and training system is an important part of tertiary education, and has a strong focus on delivering employers and industry the skills that they need, as well as ensuring all vocational learners get good-quality, effective and consistent training.
New Zealand’s vocational education and training system is an important part of tertiary education, and has a strong focus on delivering employers and industry the skills that they need, as well as ensuring all vocational learners get good-quality, effective and consistent training.
The Government has passed legislation to enable it to disestablish the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (formerly Te Pūkenga) network and re-establish polytechnics.
Work-based learning is a vital part of this system, giving people the opportunity and flexibility to earn while they learn and to gain an education that is more directly relevant to the changing needs of the workplace. The new legislation enables the government to establish Industry Skills Boards to take over the functions of Workforce Development Councils.
Learners should continue to enrol and study for qualifications. Although there will be some changes to how Polytechnics and work-based learning is organised, programmes will continue to be delivered, and every effort will be made to ensure that learning is not disrupted.
Find out more about the vocational education system.