The Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) is a bold, transformational programme of work; the largest reform of vocational education and training in a generation. 

COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented impacts on New Zealand industry, employers, learners and communities. We need a strong, unified, sustainable vocational education and training system to help lessen the social and economic impacts of COVID-19

Six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) – brand new architecture – will be at the heart of the new system and help industry to take a lead in making Aotearoa New Zealand’s workforce fit for today, and the future. Through skills leadership plans, WDCs will set a vision for the workforce and influence the vocational education and training system.

WDCs will strengthen collaboration between industry, employers and communities, and help to ensure that timely, high-quality information, products and advice about learners, labour markets and skills demands guide investment and action. They will also be part of a system that aims to provide learners with stronger vocational pathways and different ways of learning and training. We want all New Zealanders to become competent and fulfilled in their chosen vocation in thriving industries. 

Likewise, the WDC interim Establishment Boards (iEBs) that will stand up the WDCs have a crucial role to play.

The six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) are a key component of the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE).

WDCs will contribute to the new vocational education and training system by:

• Providing skills and workforce leadership for the industries they represent. This includes identifying current and future needs and advocating for those needs to be met
• Providing vocational education investment advice to the Government
• Developing qualifications, setting standards, and moderating assessments
• Endorsing provider programmes
• Promoting the benefits of educating employees to employers.

Read more information on RoVE and WDCs, including industry coverage areas.

Accelerating WDCs

On Thursday 14 May, the Government announced a significant trades training package in its Budget. As part of this, the formation of all six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) will be fast-tracked for establishment by the target date of October 2020 with the support of iEBs, ahead of the original target of mid-2021.

To achieve this, Minister Hipkins has asked the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to oversee the selection and appointment of six skills-based, industry-led interim Establishment Boards (iEBs). Each iEB will have six to eight members.

There will six iEBs, one for each of the six WDCs – Construction and Infrastructure; Creative, Cultural and Recreation; Health, Community and Social Services; Service Industries; Primary Industries; and Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics and Technology.

We are seeking applicants from industry to be actively involved in the establishment of their sector's WDC through an interim Establishment Board (iEB). Being a member of your sector’s iEB offers the chance to set future WDCs up for success in a way that works for industry and the wider sector.  

Industry members can self-nominate through the EoI process. In particular, we are looking for people supported by their industry association, membership body, advisory group, employer collective, Māori employer and industry groups, transitional Industry Training Organisation or other wider stakeholder groups.

TEC will also be conducting its own search for appropriately skilled candidates from industry to supplement the EoI process. All six iEBs will be appointed in June.  

More detailed information about being a member of the iEB – including the skills we are looking for, key deliverables, time commitment and remuneration – can be found in this information document (PDF, 228 Kb).  A formal Terms of Reference document will be made available to appointed members.