13 October 2025 – Industry stakeholder meeting on the future of apprenticeship training

With strong results in favour of apprenticeship training and unified support received during our recent consultation with industry, we are delighted to announce that we are proceeding with an application to become a Private Training Establishment, enabling us to continue supporting our industries with apprenticeship training.

We are thrilled to continue supporting our industries nationwide with the continuation of the support and programmes we deliver today.

You can watch a recording of the meeting below.

HITO and Te Pūkenga: Future of Vocational Education timeline

December 2024

Hon. Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, confirms the plan for the future of regional institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), and announces a further consultation for decisions around the future of work-based learning to be conducted in early 2025. Hon Penny Simmonds via beehive.govt.nz on 20 December 2024

January – February 2025

The Tertiary Education Commission begins a targeted consultation process for the future of work-based learning in New Zealand.

April 2025

Industry Skills Boards announced, with consultation on 7 skills boards and industry coverage open until 20 May.

July 2025

The Government announced the outcome of its consultation on the new Industry Skills Boards, which will set training standards, oversee quality, and ensure apprenticeships meet the needs of both employers and learners from January 2026. You can read more here.

July 2025

HITO Online forum is held to discuss government changes. HITO seeks feedback on the future of apprenticeship training, with a survey asking three key questions, to help steer the future of our industries and apprenticeship training.

August 2025

Feedback from the July industry survey is collated.

HITO