Kia ora koutou

As we move into Winter, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) consultation on the number of Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) has been concluded, and we await more details on the number and structure of these new organisations. In addition, the Education and Workforce Select Committee is currently considering new legislation that disestablishes Te Pūkenga and the Workforce Development Councils and sets up the ISBs and independent polytechnics. You can make a submission here by 18 June.

Our team stays committed to our industry sectors and the provider network. The ISBs will be established on 1 January 2026, and we will ensure a good handover to them. We want to make sure we don’t introduce unnecessary delays into the system, but we need your help.

We request that all pre-assessment moderations, consent to assess, micro-credential support, and programme endorsement applications be submitted by 3 October 2025. This will allow us time to evaluate all your applications for early 2026 delivery, or to work with you on a solution.

Please do not wait until 3 October 2025 to submit your application, we'd appreciate receiving your applications early to avoid any delays and to make sure you can still meet the 3 October 2025 NZQA application date.

Ngā mihi, Mike Grumball, GM Assurance.

Latest news from the Short Course Training Project

The Short Course Training Project team has been focusing on changes to the Training and Assessment Guidance document following consultation with industry and providers through a series of webinars, written feedback, and individual meetings with specialist groups.

The Training and Assessment Guidance document has been finalised and released. The document outlines changes to how training and assessment for specific unit standards must be undertaken from 1 September 2025. It also outlines what unit standards can, or cannot, be used within the secondary schools from 1 August 2025. The document is specific to Working at Heights, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP), Cranes, Telehandlers, and Wheels-Tracks-Roller standards.

The guidance document will help industry and providers select the appropriate standard (s) to ensure that workers have the knowledge and skills necessary to be safe at work and be competent at the appropriate level. The implementation of this guidance is the first step in ensuring consistent training and assessment across the industry sectors that require these crucial skills.

We are hosting webinars in June to outline the changes and address any questions you may have about this.

Quality under the spotlight: site visits underway

We’re currently visiting providers across the country to observe how block courses are being delivered and assessed in both Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (PGD) and Scaffolding programmes. These visits aim to ensure consistency, identify areas for improvement, and support a better learning experience for apprentices.

EWRB (Electrical Workers Registration Board) 

The EWRB has recently approved the training that will meet the Endorsed Mains Parallel Generation Systems registration for registered electricians, electrical engineers, or electrical inspectors.

The following two micro-credentials will be recognised as sufficient for electrical workers to demonstrate the adequate knowledge, training, skills and experience for those who are seeking registration to carry out prescribed electrical work on Mains Parallel Generation Systems. Both of the micro-credentials are required.

• Grid-connected PV Systems, Design and Install
  - micro-credential number 4555, 10 credits, level 4.
• Grid-connected Battery Storage Systems, Design and Install
  - micro-credential number 4556, 10 credits, level 4.

Both micro-credentials are currently available through the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) and E-tec (part of Skills Group Training).

BCATS Skill Standard Pilot Project

At the beginning of Term 2, the pilot period for the BCATS skill standard Joints (Level 1) began. BCITO’s new learning and assessment resource is now in use with our seven pilot participants, comprising five secondary schools, one PTE, and one ITP. Finding out how this resource functions, in accordance with the Programme Guidance and Supporting Grade Commentary, is key to our enquiry into what awarding grades looks like in practice. Participants shared valuable feedback during the general check-in on 19 May. They shared their thoughts so far about the value of the grade commentary, what learners have been saying about the option of being awarded merit and excellence and the progression of their learners. Feedback was relevant and helpful, with learners motivated to achieve excellence and enjoying the new look of BCITO BCATS resources.

Qualifications work plan update

Our Qualifications Team is continuing with a comprehensive work plan to maintain momentum for industry as we prepare for changes in the wider vocational education sector.

We've made some adjustments and additions, including the addition of projects that we expect will continue into 2026 under the management of new Industry Skills Boards.

We’re focused on a smooth transition for the industry, and the contributions of providers matter more than ever. We invite you to contribute where you can by joining a Technical Advisory Group, providing feedback during consultations, or sharing information with your networks.

We’ll share more updates and more details on specific projects as the year progresses.

Hamilton schools BCATS cluster workshop

Our Assurance team facilitated BCATS cluster moderation workshops in Hamilton on 25-26 March. These workshops allowed teachers to come together to peer review assessment samples and discuss best practice. Discussions centred around BCATS project complexity, assessment processes and judgments, and the status of BCATS skill standards.

Representatives from 13 schools in the Waikato region attended and peer reviewed assessment evidence from a range of Level 1, 2 and 3 BCATS unit standards. Peer review findings were shared across the wider group - a practice that always generates further discussion and good ideas. Following the workshops, a moderation report was sent to each school, which summarised the peer moderator’s findings and gave recommendations where applicable.

Some schools brought in completed bedside cabinets. These created some good kōrero on project complexity, design, and materials used in the projects.

Cluster moderation workshops are a great opportunity to network, engage, and obtain constructive feedback from peers.

After the event, attendees commented positively: “this is the best PD for our subject”, "excellent help and guidance", "very valuable day - thanks!".

Schools and PTEs in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne have a chance to get a piece of this action on 10 and 11 June, respectively.

Useful links
Ngā hononga ā-ipurangi

We've produced a new A3 poster for providers wanting to improve their training for all learners. Download Proud to be an Inclusive Training Provider and use it as a quick guide to reputable resources that will help you support Māori, neurodivergent, disabled people, Pacific Peoples, migrants and rainbow learners.

We're also sharing this link courtesy of the New Zealand Defence Force, where you can get some free Health and Safety templates.

• Aromatawai and the Principles of Assessment
• Assurance - Waihanga Ara Rau
• Webinars and Workshops in 2025 - Waihanga Ara Rau
• Qualifications work in progress - Waihanga Ara Rau
• Register new micro-credentials - Waihanga Ara Rau
• Search the NZQCF micro-credential register
• Te Mata Raraunga – Workforce Skills Data and Insights
• Workforce Information Platform
• Workforce Development Plans
• Interim Determinations explained for standards Note the recent additions to our list of interim determinations – two for Scaffolding (9184, 13016) and five for Carpentry (USs 32452, 32453, 32468, 32483, 32499).