IT sector gains dedicated roles in new skills boards

The Government has announced that eight Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will replace Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) next year as part of changes to the vocational education and training (VET) system.

The ISBs will focus on ensuring that vocational education and training aligns with industry needs and priorities. Under the Government's plans, the allocation of creative and information technology industries was a subject of industry feedback and concern.

The initial Government proposal would have shifted sectors such as screen, game development, AI and cybersecurity to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). However, following advocacy from industry groups, including Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, the Government confirmed today that responsibility for these sectors will be allocated to several ISBs instead.

"Following strong advocacy from industry, the creative and IT sectors we cover including screen, game development, AI and cybersecurity have now been allocated to several ISBs, instead of being shifted to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as was originally proposed by Government," says Toi Mai Te Tumu o Toi | Chief Executive Dr Claire Robinson.

Although welcoming the announcement, Dr Robinson said there are some concerns about the split of creative and digital technology industries into different ISBs. The creative sector will move to the Services ISB, while digital technology will be represented within a new Electrotechnology and Information Technology ISB.

Dr Robinson commented, "the overall result is positive, because it will enable all the industries we cover to retain leadership oversight of skills training under the new VET system. This is vital, given creative and IT are amongst the country's most highly productive industries, leading the charge on economic growth."

The Government's original rationale for excluding creative and IT industries from the ISB structure related to the absence of traditional apprenticeship pathways in these sectors. Dr Robinson noted that industry feedback highlighted the reasons for this difference.

According to Dr Robinson, "Our advocacy highlighted that formal apprenticeships can't exist in these new-economy industries – not because they aren't interested in workers earning while they learn, but because there are structural differences such as gig-based work and independent earners lacking resources that make it hard to offer traditional apprenticeships."

She added, "This doesn't mean different ways of work-based training can't be devised, and Toi Mai has been working with industries such as the screen sector to create new and innovative work-based training models. We hope this can continue under the new VET system."

While Toi Mai will be disestablished on 31 December 2025 as part of these reforms, Dr Robinson said it will continue its current work programme until that time and remain actively engaged with industry, providers and stakeholders. Dr Robinson said Toi Mai is committed to supporting the skills development needed to support growth in the creative and IT sectors.

Toi Mai has also submitted a written contribution to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill. The organisation is scheduled to appear before the Select Committee to discuss the proposal further.

The next phase in the reform process will involve the establishment of advisory groups to further define the detailed coverage of each ISB before related Orders in Council are finalised. Industry participants are awaiting this process and the resulting impact on sector training and oversight.