Budget 2020 has been extensively impacted by the global pandemic and the public health and economic measures taken by the Government in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package

Budget 2020 makes major investments jobs and training in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with a $1.6 billion Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package.

It includes:

• $334.1 million for additional tertiary education enrolments
• $320.0 million targeted investment support for free trades training in critical industries over the next two years to help people who have lost their jobs retrain, and also allow new employees in some essential services to train on the job. This will include courses linked to industry skills needs, in building and construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, and also vocational courses like community health, counselling and care work. The fund will be available from 1 July, 2020.
• Up to $412.0 million support for employers to retain and keep training their apprentices to provide continuity
• $276.0 million funding for Workforce Development Councils and Regional Skills Leadership groups (led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) , to be established to strategically plan for the recovery of industries and jobs from the impact of COVID-19, give industry and regions a greater voice and help them respond to COVID-19
• $141.0 million for a general 1.6% increase to tertiary education tuition and training subsidies to meet cost pressures
• $32.3 million increased funding to meet demand in Trades Academies and increase the volume of Trades Academy places in secondary schools by 1,000 places a year from 2021
• $50.0 million to support Māori trades training – this initiative is led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. They will manage this funding
• $19.4 million for group training schemes to support apprentices
• $11.5 million of operating funding and $15.0 million of capital funding for a new online careers advice system for learners and workers to plan and manage their careers throughout their lifetime, and understand their transferable skills.

Read the announcement by Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins

Vote Tertiary Education

New operating funding includes:

• $334.1 million funding for additional tertiary education enrolments
• $320.0 million targeted training and apprenticeship fund
• $141.0 million for a general 1.6% increase to tertiary education tuition and training subsidies to meet cost pressures
• Up to $412.0 million support for employers to retain and keep training their apprentices
• $20.0 million for a student hardship fund for 2020
• $16 million boost to Adult and Community Education to help providers to meet the increased needs for training and upskilling in the wake of COVID-19
• $6.1 million to administer a code of pastoral care for domestic tertiary students.

The Government has signalled that Budget 2020 will not be the only opportunity to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19. Following the Budget, further announcements are likely on additional measures to support education and training and recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

Budget 2020 education highlights 

Read more

Treasury’s Budget 2020 site