Articles tagged with Skills
Government Supports NZ Young Farmers with $645,000 Boost for Clubs and Wellbeing
1 week ago | 177 viewsThe Government is supporting NZ Young Farmers by providing $60,000 in one-off grants to 60 clubs and $585,000 through the Rural Wellbeing Fund to enhance physical, mental, and financial wellbeing initiatives. NZ Young Farmers, a non-profit with a century-long history, helps young rural people develop leadership skills, network, and support their communities. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized the importance of these efforts in sustaining rural communities and the primary industries vital to the economy.
Tags: NZ Young Farmers Todd McClay Government young farmers rural communities Agriculture Minister Rural Wellbeing Fund leadership skills volunteer committees agriculture sectorNew Zealand Doubles Trades Academy Places to 20,000 Boosting Vocational Education
3 weeks ago | 260 viewsThe New Zealand Government is doubling trades academy places from 10,000 to 20,000 with a $69 million investment to provide more young people with practical skills and industry experience while still at school. Additionally, $15 million is allocated to Industry Skills Boards to develop new vocational subjects integrated into the national qualification system, ensuring alignment with industry needs. These initiatives aim to elevate vocational pathways to the same status as other educational routes, offering diverse opportunities for youth to succeed in skilled careers.
Tags: New Zealand Nicola Willis Erica Stanford trades academy vocational education Budget 2026 Industry Skills Boards apprenticeships qualifications reforms vocational pathwaysBudget 2026 Invests $2.1B to Boost NZ Secondary Education and Vocational Training
3 weeks ago | 239 viewsBudget 2026 allocates approximately $2.1 billion to enhance New Zealand's education system, focusing on secondary education reform, vocational pathways, and curriculum development, including $61 million for curriculum resources and $20 million for teacher professional development. Significant investments include $15 million for Industry Skills Boards to create new vocational subjects, $69 million to expand Trades Academies, and $90 million to support NZQA’s qualification reforms with modern digital systems. Additional funding addresses learning support needs, school property growth, and operational grants, while reallocating $65 million from underperforming initiatives to priority areas, continuing efforts to raise achievement and close equity gaps.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand Budget 2026 Education NZQA Teaching the Basics Brilliantly Trades Academies Industry Skills Boards Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Kaupapa Māori EducationNew Zealand's Four Polytechnics to Become Stand-Alone Regional Institutions by 2027
2 months ago | 474 viewsFrom 1 January 2027, four remaining polytechnics within NZIST will become stand-alone regional institutions supported by the Federation of Polytechnics, while Tai Poutini Polytechnic will merge with The Open Polytechnic to secure South Island campus delivery. This transition marks a key milestone in creating a locally led, financially sustainable vocational education system aligned with regional workforce needs and industry demands. The government emphasizes the importance of vocational training for local jobs, economic development, and clear pathways for young people in high-growth sectors, with detailed transition planning already underway.
Tags: Penny Simmonds NorthTec Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki WITT Whitireia WelTec Tai Poutini Polytechnic The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology NZISTAra Jobs and Skills Hub Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Auckland Airport to Jobs
3 months ago | 514 viewsThe Ara Jobs and Skills Hub, supported by the Ministry of Social Development for 10 years, has helped over 1,440 people into jobs and provided training to thousands within the Auckland Airport precinct. This partnership coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, and training for 800 businesses across various sectors, addressing significant workforce demands. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in supporting job seekers and achieving the government’s goal of reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030.
Tags: Louise Upston Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Ministry of Social Development Auckland Airport job training workforce planning recruitment New Zealand government Jobseeker Support employmentNew Year 2 Maths Check to Boost Early Learning and Student Success
3 months ago | 526 viewsThe new Year 2 maths check, part of the Make it Count maths action plan, aims to assess early number concept understanding and provide teachers with a quick snapshot of student progress to identify learning needs early. Currently in trial across 100 schools, this 15-minute one-on-one assessment will be available nationwide by year-end and focuses on key maths skills such as numbers to 120, operations, and early fractions. Supported by a $717 million investment in learning resources and teacher development, the initiative seeks to improve maths achievement and ensure students receive timely support for future success.
Tags: Erica Stanford Year 2 maths check Make it Count maths assessment early years maths learning support Phonics checks maths skills education reforms student achievementNew Zealand’s New Tertiary Education Strategy Boosts Skills, Careers, and Economy
6 months ago | 643 viewsNew Zealand’s new Tertiary Education Strategy focuses on equipping students with skills and knowledge that lead to strong careers and support a productive, innovative economy. It emphasizes employment outcomes, economic impact, access, collaboration, and international engagement, aligning with broader reforms in universities and vocational education. The Strategy also prioritizes responsive regional training, foundation education, and work experience to ensure all learners, especially those at risk, can contribute to the country’s success.
Tags: Shane Reti Penny Simmonds New Zealand Tertiary Education Strategy vocational education Te Pūkenga Workforce Development Councils Industry Skills Boards universities economic developmentKiwi Kids Learn Cycling Safety with Expanded Bikes In Schools Program
8 months ago | 728 viewsNew funding of up to $3.5 million from the NZ Transport Agency will support the Bikes in Schools programme, allowing primary and intermediate students to access bikes and tracks in their schools. The programme, aimed at teaching cycling safety skills to kids, is supported by the Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust and helps build confidence and key biking skills in a safe school setting. Since 2010, over 400 schools have participated in Bikes in Schools, with the funding secured to continue the programme until June 2027.
Tags: Kiwi kids cycling safety skills bike tracks Bikes In Schools programme Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency primary students intermediate students Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust Paul McArdleRegRoom: Minister David Seymour Launches Online Hub to Improve Regulations
9 months ago | 1004 viewsRegRoom, launched by Regulation Minister David Seymour, aims to enhance regulations and enforcement by providing an online platform for government regulators to learn best practices and connect with each other. The Ministry for Regulation is addressing regulatory burden through revising old regulations, improving new regulations, and raising the quality of regulators to ensure Kiwis' rights are respected. RegRoom offers learning modules and Quick Guides to teach regulators key skills such as assessing potential regulations, addressing high-risk harms, and communicating clearly with regulated parties, which have been internationally recognized as world-leading.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour RegRoom regulators Kiwis rules Ministry for Regulation good regulation regulators skillsTransforming New Zealand's Education System: Proposing a New National Qualification Framework to Enhance Student Achievement
10 months ago | 1991 viewsThe Minister of Education addressed the need for reform in the national secondary qualification system, acknowledging the contributions of educators and stakeholders. The proposal aims to replace NCEA with a new qualification structure, emphasizing foundational skills, simplification, and alignment with industry needs. The goal is to provide students with clearer pathways, improved coherence, and better preparation for future education or employment, with a focus on academic and vocational learning. Feedback on the proposal is sought during a six-week consultation period to ensure successful implementation and better outcomes for all students.
Tags: Katherine Rich Rachel Simpson Chapman Tripp Prime Minister Patrick Gale NCEA NZQA Industry Skills Boards Professional Advisory GroupNew National Qualifications Proposal for Success: Prime Minister and Education Minister's Vision for Future-ready Students
10 months ago | 2177 viewsThe Government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford, is proposing to replace NCEA with new national qualifications to better equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills for success in the modern global economy. The proposal includes removing NCEA Level 1, introducing new qualifications at Year 12 and Year 13, requiring students to pass five subjects with clear grading, and developing vocational pathways in collaboration with industry. The aim is to provide consistency, clarity, and improved opportunities for students, ensuring they are well-prepared for further study, training, or employment.
Tags: Government NCEA national qualifications Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Education Minister Erica Stanford students skills New Zealand vocational pathways national curriculumRevolutionizing Vocational Education: New Industry Skills Boards to Shape Work-Based Learning for Economic Growth
11 months ago | 1733 viewsEight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will give industry a strong voice in work-based learning, ensuring the system delivers the right skills, in the right places, for a growing economy, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government promised to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry. The Industry Skills Boards are a key part of delivering on that promise,” Ms Simmonds says.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Industry Skills Boards Vocational Education Minister Te Pūkenga work-based learning