21844 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education

21844 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education: How, if at all, will apprenticeship and trainee provision in newly set up Private Training Establishments differ from what is currently provided from polytechnic or wananga institutions?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Apprenticeship and trainee provision is currently delivered through a range of private training establishments and Te Pūkenga Work-based learning divisions. Tertiary education providers such as these will continue to deliver this provision. However, by giving industries the ability to take on the apprenticeships and traineeships that were centralised into Te Pūkenga, and having regional polytechnics working with local employers, this provision will be more responsive to employers and industry. I consider that the Government’s approach is preferable because new work-based learning providers (including industry providers modelled on Work-based learning divisions) will provide more opportunities for innovation. Consultation with industry representatives has made it clear that the current work-based learning model is not delivering and therefore giving industries via their Industry Skills Boards – the power and responsibility to determine the future of their work-based learning programmes and makes their learning more relevant to their employment. Private providers, polytechnics, and Wānanga can develop new work-based learning programmes.