On 24 April 2025, the Government announced it was seeking feedback on the configuration and number of Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and released a proposal to support the consultation process. Consultation closes at 5pm, Tuesday 20 May.

It proposed seven ISBs to manage standards setting and associated functions within the vocational education and training (VET) system. Industries not allocated to an ISB (including Creative and IT) would shift to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

TEC Consultation Document ISB Coverage

ISB coverage consultation survey

Minister’s announcement – 24 April

Toi Mai response

We are encouraging stakeholders to make a submission to ensure they have a say in shaping the future of the VET system and don’t lose leadership oversight of industry skills training.

Key issues that Toi Mai and industry need to address in submissions include:

• Advocate for Creative and Technology industries to be allocated to an ISB and not NZQA – the important Creative industries (including ngā Toi Māori, screen, theatre, graphic design, game development, live music and performance) and Digital and Information Technology are not included in the ISBs, and would go to NZQA, meaning qualifications and other formal training will be less responsive to industry needs than in traditional, lower-growth industries such as the automotive industry.
• Point out that numerous subsectors are missing from the proposal, including content creation, journalism, floristry, event & entertainment technology, audio engineering, piano tuning, libraries, records & archives, conservation.
• If industries have been allocated an ISB – is it the right one?

To support stakeholders with their submissions, Toi Mai has released a special pānui which includes key talking points.

Read the special pānui: Consultation on ISBs coverage – 8 May 2025

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.

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]

ISB Establishment Advisory Groups – call for nominations

On 28 April 2025, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invited industries to nominate representatives to help establish the ISBs. Each ISB will have an Establishment Advisory Group (EAG) consisting of three members. Candidates need strong governance and change management skills, an industry background, and an understanding of education and training.

EAGs will be responsible for ensuring each ISB can successfully stand up on day one – 1 January 2026, including appointing a Chief Executive.

Find out more information about the EAGs and a link to the nomination form.

Key dates

1 Aug 2024	Government VET reform consultation opens
12 Sept 2024	Government VET reform consultation closes
20 Dec 2024	Minister’s announcement on ISBs and next steps
Jan – Feb 2025	Minister’s targeted consultation on two options for ISB functions
24 Apr 2025	Minister announces ISB functions and the Tertiary Education Commission opens consultation on the number and configuration of the new ISBs
28 Apr 2025	TEC invites industries to nominate representatives to help establish the ISBs
Apr – Oct 2025	Legislation to establish ISBs goes through Select Committee, including number and configuration (opportunity for industry feedback)
20 May 2025	Consultation closes at 5pm, 20 May, on the number and configuration of the ISBs
13 Jun 2025	ISB Establishment Advisory Group nominations close
1 July 2025	Final decisions on the number and scope of ISBs expected to be announced by mid-year
Post Oct 2025	Legislation to set up ISBs (opportunity for industry feedback)
31 Dec 2025	WDCs disestablished
1 Jan 2026	ISBs replace WDCs and new VET system comes into place