Establishment Advisory Group members announced 5 August 2025 The TEC has announced the members of the eight Establishment Advisory Groups for the ISBs that will be established in January 2026: Industry Skills Boards (TEC)
Understanding the work-based network of provision Tertiary Education Commission 23 July 2025 “Network of work-based learning provision” is the term we are using for the range of provider types we will fund for each industry sector. Register for an introductory network of provision webinar: Understanding the work-based network of provision (TEC)
Call for Board nominations Tertiary Education Commission 17 July 2025 The TEC is now inviting industries to nominate representatives for appointment to the first ISBs. These boards will be in place from 1 January 2026: Industry Skills Boards (TEC)
VET reforms recognise creative and tech industries Toi Mai special pānui 2 July 25 Toi Mai is delighted the Government has listened to industry feedback and recognised the important creative and information technology industries in its new vocational education and training system: Special pānui: Industry Skills Boards’ announcement
New ISBs will drive better training Minister media release 2 July 2025 Eight new Industry Skills Boards will give industry a strong voice in work-based learning, ensuring the system delivers the right skills, in the right places, for a growing economy, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says: New Industry Skills Boards will drive better training (Beehive)
Toi Mai submission on establishment and makeup of ISBs Toi Mai submission 19 May 2025 Toi Mai does not support the current proposal to establish seven Industry Skills Boards as it excludes the creative and digital technology industries: Toi Mai ISB submission May 2025
Toi Mai special ISB consultation newsletter Toi Mai pānui 8 May 2025 A call to action to Toi Mai stakeholders to make a submission on the Government’s consultation on Industry Skills Board coverage: Special pānui: Have your say on the ISB consultation!
Help establish ISBs Tertiary Education Commission 28 April 2025 The Tertiary Education Commission is inviting industries to nominate representatives for Establishment Advisory Groups for the new Industry Skills Boards. Each ISB will have an EAG consisting of three members. They want nominations by 13 June, though later nominations are also welcome: Industry Skills Boards (TEC)
ISB consultation document Tertiary Education Commission 28 April 2025 The Government’s consultation document on Industry Skills Board coverage, including information on proposed coverage of ISBs and which industries won’t be covered: TEC Consultation Document ISB Coverage (TEC)
A better path for apprentice and trainees Minister’s media release 24 April 2025 The Government is making changes to work-based learning so that industries have more influence over how they train apprentices and trainees, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says: A better path for apprentices and trainees (Beehive)
Frequently asked questions Tertiary Education Commission 14 July 2025 The Tertiary Education Commission has updated its ‘Frequently asked questions’ (FAQs) on the Government’s changes to the vocational education system. This includes the responsibilities of different groups that are being established such as Industry Skills Boards Establishment Advisory Groups and timing of changes: Frequently asked questions – changes to vocational education (TEC)
Toi Mai presentation to Select Committee Toi Mai oral submission 10 July 2025 Watch Toi Mai tell the select committee considering the Government’s proposed VET Amendment Bill why it won’t deliver the skills New Zealand industries need, and how it risks entrenching system flaws: Select Committee Hearing 10 July 2025 (YouTube)
Vocational education and training Bill doesn’t go far enough Toi Mai media release 10 July 2025 The Government’s proposed Vocational Education and Training (VET) Amendment Bill won’t deliver the skills New Zealand industries need, particularly the creative and digital technology industries that could underpin the country’s economic growth: Vocational education and training Bill doesn’t go far enough
Bill progress and submissions Parliament July 2025 Visit the Parliament website to follow the progress of the Bill. This page includes links to submissions, the Select Committee members and timing – with the Select Committee report due on 21 September: Vocational Education and Training System Amendment Bill (Parliament)
Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill Parliamentary Counsel Office May 2025 Proposed legislation to redesign the VET system to restore regional decision making and increase industry involvement in education and training: Vocational Education and Training System Amendment Bill 150-1 (Legislation)
Bill to reset vocational education passes first reading Minister’s media release 20 May 2025 Legislation to disestablish New Zealand’s centralised vocational education and training system has passed its first reading in Parliament, Vocational Education and Training Minister Penny Simmonds says: Bill to reset vocational education passes first reading (Beehive)
Proactive release of VET reform documents Ministry of Education 17 March 2025 The following documents have been released on the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga and other proposed changes to the VET system, including Cabinet papers, advice and reports, OIA responses: Vocational Education and Training (VET) redesign (Ministry of Education)
Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions Minister’s media release 20 December 2024 The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says: Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions (Beehive)
Toi Mai submission on proposed VET reforms Submission 12 September 2024 The scope of this Toi Mai submission relates largely to the options within Proposal 2 – Establishing an industry-led system for standards-setting and industry training: Toi Mai submission on the Government’s VET reforms
VET reform consultation Toi Mai stakeholder update 2 August 2024 Letter to stakeholders about the Government VET system reform consultation. The Government is consulting on two options for replacing WDCs: 2024 vocational education and training reforms
Redesign of the vocational education and training system Proposals for public consultation Ministry of Education August 2024 The Ministry of Education consultation document sets out the reforms the Government is considering for the VET system, including options for an industry-led system for standards-setting and industry training: VET consultation document
Vocational education reform consultation begins Minister’s media release 1 August 2024 The Government is consulting on reforms to replace the failed Te Pūkenga experiment with a financially sustainable, regionally responsive vocational education and training system that delivers the skills and training New Zealand needs, Tertiary Education and Skills, Minister Penny Simmonds says: Vocational education reform consultation begins (Beehive)
Toi Mai Amended Operational Plan 2025 July 2025 This Amended Operational Plan outlines the key changes to our Toi Mai Operational Plan 2024–2026 following the Government’s decision to disestablish workforce development councils. It sets out how Toi Mai will continue to deliver its essential functions as a standard-setting body and explains how we will wind down our activities from July–December 2025: Toi Mai Amended Operational Plan 2025
What the reforms mean for Toi Mai May 2025 Toi Mai has been working through a change process as a result of the Government’s decision to disestablish Workforce Development Councils on 31 December 2025.
The Government’s decisions mean all 43 Toi Mai kaimahi will be made redundant by the end of the year in a phased approach, starting 30 June.
Until our disestablishment, we remain committed to delivering the Toi Mai work programme and working alongside you to grow the skills that will see our industries thrive.
If you have any Toi Mai specific questions about the Government’s work-based learning reforms, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
