The Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds has announced the results of the work-based learning consultation that was held in February.

The Minister has decided that all work-based learning divisions, including ServiceIQ, will transition out of Te Pūkenga and into new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) on 1 January 2026. This will be an important initial step in setting up the future structure for work-based learning. Future transitions, which may take up to two years, will be managed by the new ISB’s.

We welcome this announcement from the Government. It means we do not anticipate that you will see any significant changes, in the short-term, to the way we work with you and your trainees or apprentices. Our key focus remains to deliver quality vocational education and training.

You can read the Minister’s announcement here – A better path for apprentices and trainees – for more details, including her direction for the future of industry training.  

Yesterday a consultation commenced to determine the number and the coverage of the Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). The Consultation Document ISB Coverage PDF also details some industry sectors where the standards setting is proposed to transition to NZQA. TEC will be running webinars on the proposals set out in the consultation document in the next two weeks. Consultation runs from 28 April until 5.00pm Tuesday 20 May 2025.

You may well, have more questions. Over the next few weeks, we will be working to get a better understanding of the Government’s decision and the steps we need to take to give effect to this direction. As always, I will keep you informed as I have more details, and I would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

Ngā manaakitanga
 
Tony Laskey
Kaiwhakahaere Matua
Executive Director