You may have received communication from us, the Ministry of Education, Workforce Development Councils, or work-based learning divisions (still commonly known as ITOs) during 2025. In general, these communications were asking your opinion on the system design.

We recognise that many employers and industry associations have already put considerable time and effort into providing ideas that have helped to shape the system that’s being implemented from 2026. We appreciate all the feedback and ideas that have been shared. 

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. Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be engaging with industry sectors about the future of work-based learning. 

As a first step, TEC will run a webinar to explain how the new system works overall, and answer any questions that employers and industry groups may have. 

The webinar will provide 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 Industry Skills Boards, 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.

The webinar is scheduled for one hour at 11am on Tuesday 17 March. To attend, please register using the following link:

VET System Webinar

This webinar will be recorded and available to watch if you are unable to make it.

Further feedback will be sought on work-based learning 

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

• 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 what we mean by the network of work-based learning, please read the section below.)
• When the work-based learning divisions prepare to transfer out of their respective Industry Skills Boards 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.

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, private training establishments, and wānanga.

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 industry’s needs change. For example, industries with a larger number of learners may want more choices of provider in the future to meet the different needs of their industries.

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.