BCTF calls for major reform

In response to the Government’s proposed reform of vocational education and training, the Building and Construction Training Fund (BCTF) has said the potential changes don’t do enough to create an industry-led system 

A consultation on reforms to replace Te Pūkenga with a “regionally responsive vocation education and training system” ended on 12 September. 

Feedback was asked for on three parts of the vocational education and training system: 

• A redesigned Institute of Technology and Polytechnic network that retains access to tertiary training in our regions, through a combination of stand-alone and federated ITPs. 

• Options for an industry-led system for standards-setting and industry training. 

• Changes to vocational education funding from 2026 to better support the reformed system. 

Bring back regional institutions 

In the consultation document, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds stated: “We propose to replace Te Pūkenga with a network of regional institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) and an industry training system that is closer to industry. ITPs that have a clear pathway to financial sustainability as stand-alone institutions will be given greater autonomy under Te Pūkenga from 1 January 2025 and would be re-established as autonomous entities from 1 January 2026. 

“We are proposing grouping the remaining ITPs into a federation, anchored by the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. This would preserve ITPs’ local identities and maintain regional access while using educational programmes, academic and back-office support from the Open Polytechnic so they do not have to do everything themselves.” 

Reform doesn’t go far enough 

While it “welcomed” the proposed reform, the BCTF (which was formed out of the transfer of all the activities of the Building and Construction Industry Organisation in line with the Review of Vocational Education) has criticised it for letting government agencies retain too much power. 

“Under the Government’s proposal, while industry would be involved in developing standards through representation on the statutory body, final sign-off would continue to sit with New Zealand Qualifications Authority,” said BCTF Chief Executive Grant Florence.  

“In our view, final sign-off of standards should sit with respective industry peak bodies (the trade equivalent of a professional body, such as Engineering New Zealand) rather than continuing to sit with government agencies, so that it is truly industry-led.” 

More incentives required 

The BCTF also said it would prefer to see measures introduced to incentivise more on-job apprenticeship training. 

“The building and construction sector [could] add a training levy to the Licensed Building Practitioner Framework, which would ensure that all potential employers of qualified tradespersons are sharing in the cost of their training rather than relying on the goodwill of a small number of employers who do training apprentices – as is the case currently.   

“Not only would this likely incentivise more employers to take on apprentices, the funding raised by the levy could contribute to new apprenticeship training opportunities, including the development of ‘train the trainer’ programmes to enhance the quality of on-job training and overall learning outcomes,” said Florence.