The Government plans to establish industry skills boards (ISBs) to manage standards-setting and associated functions within the vocational education and training (VET) system.

The ISBs will replace the workforce development councils and are proposed to support industries with more traditional apprenticeship models of work-based learning.

Industries not supported by an ISB would have their qualifications managed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

The Government is seeking feedback on which industries would be covered by ISBs and has released a proposal to support the consultation process.

Read the proposal: Consultation Document ISB Coverage

Have your say: Provide feedback on the proposal by completing the online survey

Consultation closes at 5pm, Tuesday 20 May.

Information webinars

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) are running webinars on the proposals set out in the consultation document over the next two weeks. You will have the opportunity to raise any burning questions in the second half of the webinar.

Please register for a webinar that best suits your availability here:

• Thursday 1 May (11am – 12pm)
• Thursday 1 May (6pm – 7pm)
• Friday 2 May (1pm – 2pm)
• Tuesday 6 May (11am – 12pm)
• Wednesday 7 May (6pm – 7pm)
• Thursday 8 May (1pm – 2pm)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How will ISBs support industries?

For the industry and sector it covers, the ISB will focus on ensuring vocational education and training reflects industry needs and priorities. ISB functions include:

• Developing industry qualifications, micro-credentials and standards for vocational training
• Developing NZ programmes and capstone assessments where appropriate
• Quality-assure qualifications, micro-credentials and standards by setting consent and moderation requirements and through the external moderation of assessments of any standards it sets
• Endorsement of the vocational programmes that providers develop prior to these being submitted to NZQA for approval (a tertiary education organisation’s programme will not be funded without an ISBs endorsement)
• Strategic workforce analysis and planning
• Providing the TEC with investment advice.

What about industries supported by NZQA?

Where the NZQA or another organisation is the standards-setter for industries and sectors, the additional functions of an ISB will not apply:

• Industry leadership
• Programme endorsement
• Strategic workforce planning
• Investment advice.

While qualification reviews would involve industry, this would likely be based on a regular review cycle rather than responding to industry need. By way of comparison, the screen sector asked Toi Mai to develop a screen skills micro-credential. Toi Mai was able to develop this qualification quickly so providers could offer and deliver it to learners.

Which industries are being proposed to be covered by ISBs?

• Automotive industries
• Construction industries
• Infrastructure industries
• Food and fibre industries
• Service industries
• Manufacturing and technology industries
• Social and community industries.

Which Toi Mai industries are currently not included in the ISBs (and would go to NZQA)?

• Creative industries (including ngā Toi Māori, screen, theatre, graphic design, game development, live music and performance)
• Digital and information technology.

Why should the creative and technology industries be covered by an ISB?

Our creative and technology industries are likely to underpin New Zealand’s economic growth over the next few decades. Our economic success relies on these industries having access to the skills they need to realise their economic potential. Equally, our economic success relies on our system’s ability to develop these skills through our education and training system.

The creative and technology industries don’t have apprenticeships like the traditional industries. Structural differences such as gig-based work, independent earners lacking the resources to take on apprenticeships, and few industry bodies to advocate for issues affecting their sector, mean these industries may never reach the threshold of traditional apprenticeship models.

The current proposal excludes the creative and technology industries from ISB coverage, meaning qualifications and other formal training will be less responsive to industry needs than in traditional, lower-growth industries such as the automotive industry.

What the economy needs, including the regions, is greater (not lesser) investment in the creative, screen, game development and IT/digital technology industries that are growing employment, wages, productivity, export earnings and GDP at a faster rate than the rest of the economy.

Read Minister Simmonds’ work-based learning announcement – 24 April 2025.

Any other questions?

If you have any Toi Mai specific questions about the consultation of the ISBs coverage, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]