It previously announced Apprenticeship Boost would be extended but the criteria would change. The scheme was being reshaped from a COVID-19 recovery initiative to one that addresses skill shortages by supporting apprenticeships in specific priority sectors. 

Apprenticeship Boost currently supports the employers of any first- or second-year apprentices with monthly payments. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) manages these payments.

From 1 January it will only be paid to employers of apprentices in targeted occupations, and only in the first year of the apprenticeship. 

Today’s announcement confirms the targeted occupations as:

• Building
• Agriculture
• Horticulture and viticulture
• Forestry studies
• Manufacturing, engineering and technology
• Process and resources engineering
• Automotive engineering and technology
• Electrical and electronic engineering and technology
• Aerospace engineering and technology
• Maritime engineering and technology
• Other engineering and technology
• Human welfare studies and services
• Food and hospitality.

Apprenticeship Boost applications and payments are managed by MSD. For more information, visit Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income.

See the Ministers' announcement at Releases – Beehive.