Learner component – Unified Funding System

Wae ākonga – Unified Funding System

Last updated 22 May 2023
Last updated 22 May 2023

The learner component is one of three funding components in the Unified Funding System (UFS) for vocational education and training.

For information on the other two, see:

About the learner component

The learner component substantially increases funding for providers to support all learners, particularly those who traditionally have not been well served by the education system. It recognises that there are higher costs involved in adapting education delivery and support to meet learners’ unique needs. The learner component supports providers to put learners at the centre of their organisations and to improve outcomes for learners.

Providers decide how to spend the funding in a way that supports their learners’ needs while making progress towards the Minister’s priorities.

Minister’s priorities for the learner component

The Minister has asked providers to demonstrate how they will deliver results for vocational education and training (VET) learners by building specific capability to:

  • address racism, bias and low expectations that impact VET learners and their whānau
  • strengthen mechanisms to hear and act on VET learner voice and understand the views of whānau and communities about VET
  • reduce barriers for VET learners, particularly in accessing work-based learning, and support them to be successful in VET
  • ensure VET teaching and learning meets learner, employer and industry needs, and delivers skills relevant for the workplace.

Where relevant, this includes supporting employers who deliver VET.