Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) are industry-led bodies responsible for setting and maintaining qualifications, credentials and standards, endorsing programmes, quality assuring assessments, advising on workforce development priorities, and strengthening collaboration between vocational education and industry.

During the transition from the NZIST (formerly Te Pūkenga) to a new industry-led work-based learning system, ISBs will also temporarily oversee some work-based learning business divisions.

ISBs were established through an amendment to the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Act 2025. The changes to the Act give ISBs a formal role in setting and maintaining skill standards, qualifications, and training packages, and in providing industry advice to support a fit-for-purpose vocational education system. 

ISBs enable employers and industry groups to influence training priorities, ensuring learners graduate with skills that matter in the real world.

What do ISBs do?

ISBs have a broad set of responsibilities:

• Setting standards: Develop, set, and maintain standards, qualifications, micro-credentials, and national curricula.
• Programme endorsement and moderation: Endorse vocational programmes and moderate assessments to ensure quality and consistency.
• Advising government: Provide advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) on funding priorities.
• Workforce planning: Conduct strategic workforce analysis and planning for their sectors.
• Overseeing work-based learning: Ensure continuity and quality, where a work-based learning division has temporarily transitioned into an ISB. 
• Industry representation: Act as the voice of their sector into the vocational educational and training (VET) system.

Which industries do ISBs cover?

All industries have been assigned to one of the eight ISBs which have been formally established, covering these sectors:

• Transport
• Electrotechnology and Information Technology
• Education, Health and Community
• Energy and Infrastructure
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• Services
• Food and Fibre
• Construction and Specialist Trades

This document lists the various industries that sit within each of the above sectors: 

Coverage of ISBs (ANZSIC and Sector Descriptors) (PDF 310 KB)

ISB members and staff

ISBs are governed by a Board of eight members consisting of six industry-nominated members and two ministerial appointments who have also been nominated by industry.  

ISB members have been selected for both their governance capability and their industry experience. Given the broad coverage of the ISBs, it will not be possible for all industries to have a dedicated representative on an ISB, therefore the Boards are required to operate in the interests of all industries within their sector coverage. 

All ISBs are required to establish industry advisory groups to enable the industries that they represent to provide input that will assist the Board in the performance of its functions.  This will ensure that all industries have a voice through their ISB.

ISBs have employed some staff from the former Workforce Development Councils. This expertise will provide continuity for industry and enable the ISBs to build capability as quickly as possible.

The names of initial board members of ISBs can be found at Eight Industry Skills Boards established.

The names of the Chief Executives for each ISB can be found at Industry Skills Boards and polytechnics appoint chief executives.

ISBs start operating from January 2026

From January 2026, ISBs will begin delivering services progressively:

• Early months: The focus will be on laying strong foundations, including establishing governance structures, setting standards, and putting in place processes for programme endorsement and moderation.
• First half of 2026: As these early foundations take hold, ISBs will build their capacity to engage and build partnerships with employers and industry groups.
• Ongoing: With these building blocks in place, ISBs will gain momentum, driving a more agile, industry-responsive VET system that adapts to changing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is vocational education and training (VET)?

VET helps people gain the skills and knowledge needed for specific roles or industries. It includes apprenticeships, traineeships, and provider-based training through polytechnics, wānanga and PTEs. VET covers qualifications and credentials at levels 3-7 non-degree on the NZQCF framework and all work-based learning.

How many people participate in VET in New Zealand?

Around 250,000 people each year: half through work-based training and half through campus or online learning.

How do ISBs differ from Workforce Development Councils?

ISBs replace WDCs with a more streamlined structure and a clearer focus on industry priorities. While WDCs operated on a larger scale, ISBs take a more focused approach—prioritising the essentials for business such as setting standards, endorsing programmes, and guiding workforce planning.

ISBs empower industry to determine how services are delivered and play an integral role in establishing the new network of Work-Based Learning (WBL) provision. Supported by being close to industry, ISBs will complete their functions efficiently and ensure employers have a direct voice in shaping training.

Will training be disrupted when a WBL division transitions into an ISB?

No. Apprenticeships, traineeships, and provider-based programmes will continue. The current work-based learning divisions will transition out of NZIST on 1 January 2026 but will continue operating as they do today to maintain continuity and quality for both their learners and employers. Seven will be part of an ISB for up to two years and the other two will immediately transition to industry owned PTEs.

Why do the ISB coverage lists show the ANZSIC (industry) codes rather than the ANZSOC (occupation) codes?

ANZSIC codes are a standard system used to describe industries, not skills or occupations. The ISBs are based on industry sectors. 

Why can’t I see all industries listed in the ISB coverage list?

The descriptions of ISB coverage come from the collection of existing qualifications and credentials. Some industries and occupations do not currently have vocational education and training (ie, non-degree level) qualifications and credentials. Some industries only have one or two qualifications so may not be specifically listed.