New Zealand Apprenticeships

Ngā Piatanga Aotearoa

Last updated 17 January 2024
Last updated 17 January 2024

Tertiary education providers are responsible for arranging training programmes for through New Zealand Apprenticeships.

New Zealand Apprenticeships NZAs) provide a premier vocational pathway and quality support for all apprentices.

Criteria for NZAs:

  • An apprentice must be employed in the occupation for which they are training
  • Throughout their apprenticeship, an apprentice must be supported by a training plan agreed by them, their employer, and the tertiary education provider that is arranging the training
  • The apprenticeship must include a strong theoretical component and result in either:
    • a level 4 New Zealand qualification, comprising a minimum of 120 credits, or
    • two or more qualifications totalling at least 120 credits, provided this includes only level 3 and 4 qualifications and at least 60 out of the total credits are at level 4.

If less than half the programme’s credits are at level 4, we need more information from the tertiary education provider to confirm that the programme focuses on level 4 outcomes.

It's expected that on completing an NZA, an apprentice will be ‘work competent’ for the occupation they've been training in. Their industry determines the standard of competency to be met.

New Zealand Apprenticeships are only for training delivered in the work-based learning modes of delivery.

Code of Good Practice for New Zealand Apprenticeships

The Code of Good Practice for New Zealand Apprenticeships was developed in conjunction with apprentices, employers and tertiary education organisations. It sets out the responsibilities and expectations of all parties: the apprentice, employer and tertiary education provider.

In 2023, the Code was revised to reflect changes arising from the Reform of Vocational Education. These changes are minimal and technical in nature.

The new Code comes into force on 30th June 2023.

Read the Code of Good Practice for New Zealand Apprenticeships

Download the Code of Good Practice for New Zealand Apprenticeships (PDF 1.3 MB)

How to apply for approval of New Zealand Apprenticeship programmes

Tertiary education providers must have an NZQA-approved programme for each apprenticeship before we fund any enrolments.

Please use the New Zealand Apprenticeship application form to apply for TEC approval of New Zealand Apprenticeship programmes.

Guidelines on the criteria, the approval process and how to complete the form are all covered within the form itself.

New Zealand Apprenticeship TEC Approval Application Form (DOCX 225 KB) 

Updates to the application form

The 2022 NZA Application form has recently been updated. Please note that tertiary education providers must now submit Schedule of Fee information at the pre-approval stage.

That means we need you to also submit:

If you have any questions please contact us on customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

How many apprentices are in training?

There are two ways to count the number of apprentices – and both are correct.

  • The first method includes those that are funded as apprentices by the TEC.
  • The second method includes all learners in apprenticeships and apprenticeship-like training.

This fact sheet explains why there are two different counts, how we count apprentices and the impact any operational changes have on the counts.

Fact sheet – How many apprentices do we have? (PDF 685 KB).

Information for apprentices

TEC approves all New Zealand Apprenticeships and maintain a register. To find out what apprenticeships are available, and which education providers to contact, see the .

New Zealand Apprenticeships Register (XLSX 390 KB) 

Accessing your apprenticeship completion record

If you completed your apprenticeship after 1993, your completion record is likely to be held by the relevant transitional industry training organisation provider and/or receiving education provider. You should contact them directly for a copy.

If you completed your apprenticeship before 1993, TEC might be able to provide your record of completion from the Register of Apprentices.

To request your completion record, fill in the Request for Apprenticeship Record form (PDF 169 KB) 

Email it, with a photo or scan of your identification, to customerservice@tec.govt.nz or send it to:

Tertiary Education Commission

PO Box 27-048

Wellington 6141

Logo and certificates for New Zealand Apprenticeships

We have created guidelines for using the New Zealand Apprenticeships logo. The logo must only be used for New Zealand Apprenticeships that are funded through the

Please see our guidelines for how and when to use the logos correctly:

New Zealand Apprenticeships logo use and certificate creation (DOC 56 KB) 

New Zealand Apprenticeships logo guidelines (PDF 1.3 MB) 

The logo files are zipped into folders below. Each logo type is available in a range of file formats (eps, pdf, jpg, tif, ai) and sizes (small, medium, large) to make them compatible for printing or online use.

Note: Don't use the reference images. Please only use the images in the zipped files. 

Reference image

Logo Zip Type and files to download

  Web small black logo

Black logo - both Print and Web format - all sectors (ZIP 1.8 MB) 

 NZA logo greyscale

Greyscale logo - both Print and Web format - all sectors (ZIP 1.8 MB)

 NZA logo greyscale reversed

Greyscale reversed logo - both Print and Web format - all sectors (ZIP 1.6 MB)

 NZA logo white reverse

White reverse logo - both Print and Web format - all sectors (ZIP 1.6 MB) 

 NZA logo construction and infrastructure

Construction and Infrastructure - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 3.5 MB) 

 NZA logo creative

Creative - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 3.1 MB)

 NZA logo manufacturing and technology

Manufacturing and Technology - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 2.2 MB)

 primary logo (ZIP 2.2 MB)

Primary - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 2.4 MB) 

 NZA logo social and community

Services - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 2.2 MB)

 Social and community (ZIP 2.2 MB)

Social and Community - colour logo Print and Web format (ZIP 2.1 MB)