2022 has been a watershed for vocational education in New Zealand.  Embracing an ambitious reform programme, the sector has worked together to create a new-look vocational education system, with all major structural system changes in place now.

Workforce Development Councils (WDCs)

We have six WDCs which identify their respective industries current and future workforce needs and advocate for those needs to be met through work with industries, providers, regional bodies and government. As a voice for industry in education the WDCs lead the development of industry qualifications - they set industry standards and assess training provision against these industry standards. They also endorse new vocational education programmes prior to them being approved by NZQA.

Workforce Development Councils (WDCs)

Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs)

We have 15 RSLGs providing advice about the skills needs of their regions. RSLGs have developed their first Regional Workforce Plans that identify labour supply needs, identify local activity that addresses these, and inform the related activities of regional stakeholders and Central Government.

Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs)

Te Pūkenga

Te Pūkenga — The New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology has brought together 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and nine Industry Training Organisations into one organisation, with the goal of supporting work-based, campus-based and online learning as a unified system right across the country.  Te Pūkenga has the national and regional reach required to be a long-term skills training partner for many firms and industries. At Te Pūkenga, learners will be able to shift easily between on campus, on-the-job, or online learning – or a combination of all three that works for their needs.

Te Pūkenga

Other key developments

• Taumata Aronui, a Ministerial Advisory group to help ensure that the Reform of Vocational Education reflects the Government’s commitment to Māori Crown partnerships, released Manu Kōkiri, a think piece calling for “transformational change” to the tertiary education system to ensure more Māori success in tertiary education, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
• The country’s two Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) ConCOVE (for construction and infrastructure) and FFCoVE (for the food and fibre sector) have had numerous initiatives this year to drive innovation and excellence in vocational education by strengthening links with industry and communities. 
• The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), as custodian of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, has been working to simplify the design of vocational qualifications.

Last but not least, we have introduced a unified funding system (UFS) applying to all provider-based and work-integrated education at certificate and diploma qualification levels 3 to 7 (excluding degree study) and all industry training.  The UFS underpins the vocational education and training system’s ability to meet many user needs, particularly the needs of learners who traditionally have been under-served by the system.

So what lies ahead? Legislative requirements have been met and it is now up to all of us to work practically and cohesively as we realise the vision of these reforms.  Peter Winder (Te Pūkenga Chief Executive) recently described his role as “a once in a life-time opportunity to drive major systems change”.  I’d say that statement is true for a number of you across the new VET system.  It is the collective effort within that system that will achieve better outcomes for learners and employers.   We are looking at ways to ensure ongoing stewardship to drive the outcomes required for change.

We are now at a stage where we are no longer just reforming, we are doing.  To reflect this, we are considering how best to keep you informed in 2023 and we will be in touch about this in the new year. For now, best wishes for the break and we look forward to catching up with many of you before the programme close in June 2023.