400 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Vocational Education

400 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Vocational Education: What work, if any, is currently underway to support the development of degree apprenticeships?

Hon Penny Simmonds: My responsibilities extend to tertiary education provision at polytechnics and private training establishments. Hon Shane Reti is responsible for degree level education and above at universities and wānanga. Policy work on degree apprenticeships is not currently on the Ministry of Education’s work programme. The responsibility for apprenticeship programmes, including degree apprenticeship development, sits with tertiary education providers and other bodies in the tertiary system who work with industries, professions and other interested parties as required to develop programmes that will meet learner and employer need. Programmes are then supported by Government through the funding system if approved by the Tertiary Education Commission. The Tertiary Education Commission supported work during 2024 and 2025 at the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCove) which included an enabling framework, guidelines and toolkits for learners, employers and providers. For some time, the TEC has funded the delivery of Otago Polytechnic’s degree apprenticeship in Infrastructure Asset Management as part of their Bachelor of Engineering Technology. It has also funded Centres of Vocational Excellence to explore options in this area. Notably, the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCOVE) has designed a framework to assist key system stakeholders to align their roles and responsibilities in the development of degree apprenticeships. It has also produced supporting information on degree apprenticeships for employers, tertiary providers, and learners to support the design, delivery, and experience of these pathways. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 401 (2026).