On this page:

• Overview of the changes to work-based learning
• Who can apply for TEC funding for work-based learning in 2026?
• Providers new to or wanting to expand work-based learning provision
• Expectations and requirements of work-based learning providers
• Considerations to guide provider readiness for work-based learning

Overview of the changes to work-based learning

What is work-based learning?

Work-based learning is a unique part of the vocational education and training sector. Not all learning completed by employed people is work-based learning.

In work-based learning:

• Learners study mainly in the workplace with provider-supported self-directed learning.
• Learners are employed in the area they are learning about.
• Learners are supported by both the provider and their employer, which is documented in formal agreements.
• The provider has a relationship directly with the employer (as well as the learner).

Learning that is completed extramurally and uses a workplace as a context for assignments is not work-based learning.

If you are unsure whether your planned programme meets the requirements of work-based learning, please see Work-based mode. You can also contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

What are the changes to work-based learning from 2026?

From 2026 the work-based learning system in New Zealand will start to transition to a new model. As part of the vocational education and training reform, Te Pūkenga and workforce development councils (WDCs) will be disestablished. Industry skills boards (ISBs) will be established from 1 January 2026 to manage standards-setting and associated functions that were previously managed by WDCs. Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) will be reestablished as either stand-alone or federated entities, and the work-based learning divisions that are currently in Te Pūkenga will transfer to an Industry Skills Board for up to two years. It is expected that, during this two-year period, delivery of the work-based learning will be transferred to providers. This could be ITPs, wānanga or PTEs. In some cases, the expectation is that industry-led PTEs will take on delivery.

Delivery of funded work-based learning will require approval from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The ISBs will ensure that the new network of provision for work-based learning is supported by industry. Any TEC approval for new work-based learning before the new system, which includes the establishment of the ISBs, is in place will require providers to evidence that they have worked with stakeholders that are, or represent, the majority of the relevant industry. This will be a high bar to reach.

Before you submit the enquiry form to be considered for work-based learning, please read this page in detail.  

Who can apply for TEC funding for work-based learning in 2026?

The number of providers able to receive TEC funding for work-based learning will relate to the required network of provision for work-based learning. TEC’s knowledge of the network of provision needed for a sector will be informed by industry. TEC will work with ISBs to understand industry’s view on the network of provision that is required from January 2026.

Decisions about additional providers, or expansion of current providers’ provision for 2026, will only occur in exceptional circumstances. We will apply a high test for industry support when considering any new work-based learning provision until we receive information from ISBs.

The test for industry support will require providers to supply evidence that they have worked with stakeholders that are, or represent, the majority of the relevant industry. Stakeholders must support them as an additional provider needed to support the network of provision.

We encourage providers to read this guidance information about what we are looking for in work-based learning before they begin preparing for future work-based learning opportunities. 

How can I apply for funded work-based delivery?

We will run a two-step initial process for providers that want to be considered for funding for work-based learning.

Step 1 – An initial expression of interest

Spend some time understanding the requirements of both TEC and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) in relation to work-based learning. Engage with industry stakeholders and determine if there is industry support for your planned delivery. When you have a plan on how you could successfully deliver work-based learning, complete this enquiry form (DOCX 963 KB). We will review the form and get in touch with you.

Step 2 – The full application process

We will work with you to determine when you have completed enough of the preparatory work to submit a full application. At this point we will request further details from you directly. 

Timelines

In a fiscally constrained environment, new work-based learning provision needs to be allocated from currently available funding. We will therefore align any possible approvals with our funding cycle.

We expect you to be familiar with all of the expectations and requirements contained on this webpage. The enquiry form may not ask for all of this information, but we expect you to have plans in place to meet these should your enquiry progress to a full application.

August 2025

As part of the investment round, we will look at any providers that are immediately ready to deliver work-based learning in 2026. To be considered for this round, please submit the enquiry form on or before 18 July. Any providers that we assess as ready to submit a full application will be asked to submit this between 1 and 22 August.

April 2026

Once we know how 2026 delivery is trending, we will have another review of providers that may be ready to deliver work-based learning.

When you submit your enquiry form, we will talk to you to see whether you meet our expectations of being ready to deliver. Completing the enquiry form does not guarantee that we will grant funding. All funding decisions consider a wide range of factors, including the total funding available.

This is an interim process to identify any providers that have the necessary industry support to be involved early. We will review the new work-based learning provider process when ISBs are in a position to provide us with information about the network of provision. 

Providers new to or wanting to expand work-based learning provision

Providers that will need to submit an enquiry form include those that are:

• currently funded by TEC, but not for work-based learning
• currently funded by TEC for work-based learning, but want to expand their work-based learning provision into qualifications or credentials that they are not currently funded for
• not currently funded by TEC but want to receive TEC funding for work-based learning.

Providers wanting to increase their provision for programmes and/or credentials that they already received work-based learning funding for will not need to submit an enquiry form. These requests can be managed through the investment round and additional funding request processes.

The transition of learners and provision that is currently managed by Te Pūkenga work-based learning divisions is a separate process. More information will follow.

Industry endorsed network of provision

Industry will play a strong role in determining the requirements for the network of provision for work-based learning. Industry will provide information on the requirements for their industries to ensure that they are well supported. We want to ensure the network of provision for work-based learning meets the needs of industry and provides high quality, stable provision for learners.

In most cases, we want to give Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) an opportunity to stand up and gather information about the network of provision industry want for their sectors before we approve new providers.

NZQA and WDC/ISB approvals and endorsements

The enquiry form will require you to provide us with details of the credentials and qualifications that you would like to deliver as work-based learning.

If you progress to the full application, you will need to seek or confirm the necessary accreditation for the credentials and programmes you wish to deliver. If you already deliver a programme through a provider-based approach that you now wish to deliver as work-based learning, you will need to seek updated programme accreditation through NZQA if you are approved for new work-based delivery.

You will need to work with the relevant Workforce Development Council (WDC)/ISB to gain endorsement for your programme. This endorsement ensures that the programme you deliver is aligned with industry needs and will need to be submitted to NZQA when seeking accreditation.

Pastoral care and learner support

We expect all providers to have systems in place to support learners. For further information see Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 – NZQA.

TEC also has learner support expectations in line with our Ōritetanga Learner Success work. 

Providers that do not receive TEC funding

Any provider that is new to TEC funding (or has not been funded in over 12 months) will have to go through the new provider process as well as the enquiry and application to deliver funded work-based learning.

Our new provider requirements include:

• NZQA PTE registration, approvals and accreditations for the programmes/credentials you will deliver. For further information see Guidance for applying for registration as a private training establishment – NZQA
• appropriate quality as per NZQA rules and quality assurance processes
• meeting our financial viability standards – see Financial viability requirements for TEC-funded PTEs
• NZQA approvals of subcontracting arrangements for arranging training/teaching or learning support activities.

For further information on the requirements to apply for TEC funding, see Application to receive TEC funding. 

Expectations and requirements of work-based learning providers to deliver high-quality learning with employers

Work-based learning requires providers to support employers to deliver training on the job. This function requires different skills, relationships and resources to provider-based learning, where the learning is delivered directly by the provider.

The 2023 guidelines issued by NZQA provide detailed information on how to ensure the quality of your work-based learning. See Work-based training guidelines – NZQA.

The following points provide guidance on key considerations for work-based learning delivery. We will expect you to be able to:

• support employers to deliver high-quality training and education. This may mean capability building that develops subject matter experts into effective educators, assessors or workplace mentors
• ensure that the learner support and pastoral care every learner gets is of a high standard, including in environments where the learning is primarily delivered by the employer, not the provider
• provide learning and assessment materials that are appropriate to the learning environment and support best-practice delivery
• implement and manage the relationship between the provider and the employer to ensure all the conditions and expectations set by TEC are understood and met in the workplace
• plan to have regular and constructive contact with the trainers, assessors and supervisors working with your learners
• ensure you have staff with specialist technical skills to support the learning in the different contexts in which it will be delivered
• provide specialist support for learners, especially learners with the most need who may be struggling to complete their training
• understand the reporting requirements and practicalities of assessment and moderation in non-campus-based settings
• provide periodic engagement directly with the learner (preferably face-to-face) that supports them in their training and sufficient pastoral care 
• adhere to specific requirements when delivering apprenticeships, including section 376 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Code of Good Practice for NZ Apprentices.

Funding conditions

All work-based learning is funded from the Delivery at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) Fund. You will need to understand and meet all the funding requirements of DQ3-7. For details of our funding conditions, see Funding conditions by year.

Work-based learning data specifications and requirements

The information you collect from learners will need to meet our requirements. The data and technical requirements differ from those for provider-based provision. You may need to obtain or update your learner management software to meet these requirements. Please explore this fully as it may change the date from which you will be able to offer provision. To fully understand these requirements see our data specifications and the TEC API portal. 

Considerations to guide provider readiness for work-based learning

Below is a list of requirements that you should review when considering applying for funding for work-based learning. This is not an exhaustive list but provides guidance on the aspects you will need to consider and address to be capable of delivering work-based learning. 

TEC and NZQA requirements

Support from industry

Quality provision

Technology