BCITO hails return to industry governance

BCITO has welcomed the government’s announcement that it will exit the national polytechnic network Te Pūkenga, describing the change as a return to industry ownership and a win for apprentices, employers and training quality 

Under the latest round of vocational education reforms, confirmed by Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds in mid-July, BCITO will return to industry-led governance by the end of this year. Ten regional polytechnics will also be re-established by January 2026, reversing the previous government’s centralisation drive under Te Pūkenga. 

The changes are intended to deliver more locally responsive training, increase employer confidence and improve operational efficiency across the vocational sector. 

BCITO Director Greg Durkin said the decision would enable the organisation to better serve the building and construction sector, with full accountability and direction returned to industry hands. 

“We believe the new model being proposed is a positive move for the building and construction industry, as it returns BCITO to industry ownership, governance and control by the end of this year.” 

Durkin said the transition would not disrupt existing training relationships, with BCITO committed to maintaining its long-standing in-work support model and national footprint. 

“Looking forward, employers, learners and industry stakeholders can be assured that the high levels of service provided by BCITO will continue.” 

He said BCITO’s team would remain active across all regions, supporting builders and apprentices on-site.  

“The BCITO team of dedicated staff will continue to be in workplaces from Cape Reinga to Bluff – ensuring that industry has the right people in the right place, with the right skills at the right time.” 

Industry-first perspective 

The reinstatement of regional polytechnic councils – including institutions such as Otago Polytechnic, Universal College of Learning, Southern Institute of Technology and Ara Institute of Technology – aims to restore local governance and enable closer ties with industry, said Simmonds. 

“This is a major milestone in building a vocational education system that’s locally led, regionally responsive, and future focused. We’ve listened to extensive industry feedback and I’m confident our plan will set the sector up for long-term economic and learning success.” 

Te Pūkenga will continue to operate for unallocated programmes during the transition period and will be fully disestablished by 31 December 2026. 

Sector-wide shift 

The return to industry governance for BCITO is part of a broader government push to refocus vocational education around regional needs and industry expectations. The reforms were first signalled earlier this year as part of Budget 2025 and are now being enacted in full following Cabinet approval. 

In announcing the changes, Simmonds said the goal was to create financially sustainable polytechnics while giving industry a stronger role in training.  

“With more than 250,000 students in the vocational education system each year, these changes offer greater flexibility, financial sustainability and ensure training remains relevant to employment needs,” Simmonds said. 

“Industry will have a stronger role, communities will regain local control and polytechnics will be financially sustainable. 

“We’re rebuilding our incredibly important vocational education system, so that it delivers for students, for employers and for the future of New Zealand.” 

Additionally, Simmonds confirmed that eight new Industry Skills Boards would also be established by 2026 to provide strategic oversight across sectors.