Two types of engagement with industry are currently underway. Below is further information on the purpose and approach for each type.

One type of engagement is about the transition of work-based learning from the Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and the other is around the overall network of work-based learning provision for the future. The following table aims to clarify this.

Transition of work-based learning from ISBs

Network of work-based learning provision

This work focuses on what happens to currently enrolled work-based learners.  Engagement is being led by ISBs and work-based learning divisions with some industry associations also involved. For some sectors, this engagement was done last year, for some it is happening now, and for others it may occur later in the year. These changes are happening because a temporary arrangement is in place for the work-based learning divisions where they are currently under the ISBs. All work-based learning divisions must move out of ISBs by the end of 2027. This engagement is provider specific.

This work focuses on the future and whether TEC will fund additional and/or different providers to do work-based learning in the years ahead. Engagement will be led by the newly formed Industry Skill Boards (ISBs). By the end of 2026, ISBs and TEC will have a clearer picture of what all sectors want work-based learning to look like in the future This will be used to inform our future investment decisions. For this engagement we are interested in understanding the desired number and type of providers; we are not expecting industry to list the specific providers they want.

The feedback we receive from industry is very important. If you are asked to provide a letter of support to a provider, please be sure you understand what is being asked before you provide this.

Webinar for employers and industry groups

Explaining changes to the VET System

Industry voice will be key in determining the future of work-based learning, and so Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be engaging with industry sectors about this. On Tuesday 17 March 2026, TEC ran a webinar for employers and industry groups to explain how the new system works. 

The webinar provided information on:

• the new VET system, the different roles of organisations in the system, and where industry voice is needed to shape the future
• the transition of the work-based learning divisions that were previously within the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (formerly Te Pūkenga) – including their temporary transition into the new ISBs, and the options now available for their learning and programmes to transition out to polytechnics, private training establishments (PTEs), or wānanga by 1 January 2028
• the critical role of industry in informing the future network of work-based learning provision. This means the different types of providers that different industries might require to best meet their work-based learning needs.

Watch the recording of the webinar – YouTube 

Further feedback will be sought on work-based learning

In 2026, there are two key areas where industry input will be sought. These are:

• When the work-based learning divisions prepare to transfer out of their respective ISBs to new providers, their transition plans will need to have industry support for the recommended option. Your view may be sought to show industry support for setting up a new PTE, or for moving learners to an existing PTE, polytechnic or wānanga. You may be asked to provide letters of support for the recommended change.
• ISBs will provide opportunities for employers and industry groups to comment on what you need from the tertiary sector to support training for your sectors in the future. We call this “the network of work-based learning provision”. This will happen progressively in 2026. (To understand more about what we mean by “the network of work-based learning provision”, please read the section below.)

Understanding the network of work-based learning provision

What is “work-based learning”?

This is training undertaken (primarily on the job) where the learner has a job with an employer, and that employer has signed an agreement with both their employee (the learner) and a tertiary organisation (the provider) to support the employee’s training to get a qualification, eg, an apprenticeship or certificate.

Who can be a provider?

From 1 July 2028, the only providers who can enrol learners in work-based training will be polytechnics, PTEs, and wānanga.

While any polytechnic, PTE or wānanga can deliver work-based learning there is a process that needs to be followed before a provider can be TEC funded for work-based learning.

What is “the network of work-based learning provision”?

This is the term we’re using for the range of different provider types that industry stakeholders want access to and that TEC will fund for each industry sector.

In other words: each sector’s network of provision will be the mix of provider types it wishes to use to deliver its work-based learning.

Industry voice will be critical to determining the network of provision we fund, informing TEC’s knowledge and ensuring the networks of provision are sustainable and meet sector needs.

We expect the network of provision may change over time, as industries’ needs change. For example, industries with a larger number of learners may want more choices of provider in the future to meet different needs.

Note that, while industry will inform TEC’s knowledge of the network, it is not appropriate for industry to comment on the specific providers TEC funds.

TEC must be confident that any provider being funded has the ability to support work-based learning (which is very different to on-campus learning). This requires them to have the right systems, processes and depth of capability to ensure both learners and their employers are well supported.

Each ISB will work to understand what network of provision is required for their industry sectors and will best meet their needs.

Network of provision webinar

We ran an initial webinar in August 2025 for industry stakeholders, to explain what the network of work-based learning provision is, and how industry can contribute.

Supporting industry on work-based learning

Supporting industry on work-based learning updates: Session 2 – YouTube

Issues to consider

In thinking about what type of work-based learning your industry wants in the future, it’s important to consider what is important to you. These criteria can help you design the network of provision for your sector. For example:

• Do you value nationwide provision that may be more consistent, or regional delivery which may be more customised?
• Do you need to focus on specific groups of learners?
• Do you need niche provision, provision for a broader sector, or a mix of both?

When thinking about the range of providers for a specific sector, it’s also important to consider how many potential learners there are. Some areas of training that are smaller may only be able to support a single provider.

For our funding decisions we will consider whether a provider can be financially viable with the provision they take on. For example, are the additional costs of supporting the learning higher than the funding they will receive from TEC and the learner fees?

Keep an eye on this page for future updates.

More information

For queries about the VET reforms, please contact VETinformation@tec.govt.nz.