Articles tagged with Wintec

New Era for NZ Vocational Education: Regional Polytechnics and Industry Skills Boards Launch

4 weeks ago | 268 views

New Zealand has launched a reformed vocational education system with ten regionally governed polytechnics regaining control over local training decisions and eight new Industry Skills Boards overseeing work-based learning across key sectors. This shift aims to create a more responsive, agile, and accountable system aligned with community needs and industry demands, replacing the previous centralized model. The changes focus on delivering practical skills and qualifications that meet real employment opportunities, marking a significant new beginning for learners, employers, and regional development.

Tags: Penny Simmonds Ara EIT NMIT SIT Toi Ohomai Wintec Unitec MIT Otago Polytechnic

Earn as You Learn: Expanding Paid Manufacturing Apprenticeships Across NZ

1 month ago | 244 views

The Earn as You Learn pilot, launched in Waikato in February 2025, connects high school students with manufacturers to provide paid, real-world experience while earning a manufacturing certificate, achieving over 80% learner completion and strong employer support. Due to its success, the program will expand to the Hutt Valley and Canterbury in 2026, and Auckland in 2027, aiming to increase graduates from 17 to 100-150 annually. This initiative addresses skilled labor shortages in manufacturing, a key sector for New Zealand’s economy, by fostering collaboration between industry, educators, and government to build a future workforce.

Tags: Chris Penk Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec Waikato Engineering Careers Association Earn as You Learn New Zealand Waikato Hutt Valley Canterbury