New Industry Skills Boards Appointed to Boost Vocational Education in NZ

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has announced the appointments to the eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), which are now formally established to replace the Workforce Development Councils. Each ISB, composed of industry-nominated members and ministerial appointees, will set standards, shape qualifications, and ensure vocational training aligns with employer needs and workforce demands. These boards aim to deliver practical, trusted qualifications that support quality jobs and drive New Zealand’s economic growth through a modern, connected work-based learning system.