The Reform of Vocational Education is the biggest change in New Zealand’s vocational education system in 35 years. With so much change being implemented across many years it’s important to remember why RoVE is needed, the benefits and how they will be realised. This month we focus on the benefits for employers.

Why RoVE is important for employers

Employers need a vocational education system that produces learners who are work-ready, have the right skills, the right attitude and the right fit for business both now and in the future.

Implementing RoVE will:

• give industry greater control over all aspects of vocational education and training, therefore making the system more responsive to employers’ needs and to the fast-changing future of work, skills and learning.
• deliver a new system with a stronger focus on employers, delivering the skills they need, providing more support for their employees, and ensuring greater consistency in vocational education across the country. Longer term, this will increase the number of employers who are engaged in vocational education.
• ensure that work-integrated learning will become an increasingly important part of the vocational education system, giving people the opportunity and flexibility to earn while they learn and gain an education that is more directly relevant to the changing needs of the workplace. 

This will happen by:

• establishing Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) this year, which will set a vision for the skills and training needs for the workforce, set standards, develop qualifications and shape the curriculum, and advise on investment in vocational education.
• shifting the role of supporting workplace-based learning from transitional ITOs to Te Pūkenga, private training establishments [PTEs], and wānanga so learners can move seamlessly through the vocational education system.
• finalising the establishment of 15 independent Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs) this year. These will provide advice about the skills needs of their regions to the TEC, WDCs, and local vocational education providers.