Eight Industry Skills Boards established

Te Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero mō te kapinga o ngā Poari Pūkenga Ahumahi

The government has formally established eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), marking a major milestone in the transformation of the vocational education and training system.

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This change is driven by a clear vision to create a system that responds to industry needs, anticipates future workforce demands, and provides strong, regionally responsive support for learners and employers.

The ISBs will give industry a stronger voice in shaping vocational education. They will set and maintain standards, endorse programmes, advise on workforce development priorities, and strengthen collaboration between education and employers. During the transition from the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) to a new industry-led training system, ISBs will also temporarily manage work-based learning.

Each ISB will, by 31 March have eight board members: two ministerial appointees and six industry nominated members. The ministerial appointees and the former Establishment Advisory Group members have been appointed to the boards, bringing the current complement for each board to four or five

The ISBs have now had their first board meetings and made establishment decisions to enable them to operate in the new year. This includes appointing a chief executive (where a selection has been made) and enabling the transfer of some staff from Workforce Development Councils (WDCs).

Initial members of the Industry Skills Boards

ISB	Board members
Transport	Shaun Johnson Suhail Sequeira Jennifer Moxon (Chair) Sherelle Kennelly
Electrotechnology and Information Technology	Ross Beal Kingi Wetere Michael Barr (Chair) Thomas Wiseman Elle Archer
Education, Health and Community	Dr Vanessa Caldwell Stewart Eadie Jen Pelvin (Chair) Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti Orquidea Tamayo Mortera
Energy and Infrastructure	Wayne Scott Andrea O'Brien John Carnegie (Chair) Mark Pizey Alan Pollard
Manufacturing and Engineering	Nathan Busch Dr James Neale Trent Fearnley (Chair) Jamie Lorton Ruth Cobb
Services	Russell Clements John Fiso Bruce Robertson (Chair) Tommy Honey Jeremy Scarle
Food and fibre	Christopher Lewis William Beetham Tracy Johnston (Chair) Antony Heywood Toby Williams
Construction and Specialist Trades	Gregory Wallace Tina Wieczorek David Kelly (Chair) David Fabish Paul Hallahan

Submissions to become a member of an Industry Skills Board now closed

We received a strong and encouraging number of nominations and expression of interest submissions from across the sector, reflecting the high level of commitment to supporting industry and skills development.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will now be providing the candidate information to the relevant ISBs for consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the relevant ISB.