Skills for Good - July 2025: Save on Youth Work apprenticeships, workforce funding round opens, and more

Tēnā koutou

Over the past month, I’ve continued meeting with employers across the country to provide the latest updates on the Redesign of Vocational Education, and to better understand how we can continue to support your workforce development goals as we transition out of Te Pūkenga at the end of the year, and into a newly established Industry Skills Board (ISB). These conversations have been invaluable in shaping our thoughts on how we can continue to deliver learning that’s not only relevant but also responsive to the evolving needs of industry. In the meantime, it is important for you to understand that our transition primarily represents a change in governance, and not a change in service. We will continue to enrol and support learners just as we do today.

During these discussions, you have also shared insights into your own challenges including onboarding challenges, maintaining learner engagement, and the importance of early confidence-building, especially for those new to workplace learning. These very much align with our own insights that highlight the critical importance of the first few months for our learners. We know from experience that early engagement sets the tone for long-term success. Our monthly Good to Go sessions are designed to do just that - build confidence, foster connection, and help learners feel supported from day one. I encourage all employers to actively promote these sessions to your new learners. The impact is clear: learners who attend are more likely to stay engaged, progress steadily, and achieve their goals. Read on to find out more about these sessions.

Ngā mihi nui

Rod Bentham
Executive Director, Careerforce

Since our June newsletter, the Government has now agreed to establish eight ISBs, including one with Health & Community coverage, and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) have confirmed that Careerforce will transition into this ISB on 1 January 2026, as a distinct business division. Each ISB will have a dedicated Establishment Advisory Group (EAG) that will be responsible for ensuring the ISB can successfully stand up, as an organisation, on day one. The TEC have confirmed the appointment of members to these EAGs, and we expect an announcement on these shortly.

While the TEC have now confirmed the members of the EAGs, they are now inviting industries to nominate representatives for appointment to the inaugural ISB Boards, to be in place from 1 January 2026. Only industry bodies can nominate candidates, to ensure the backing of industry. Nominations for these Board positions are open until 29 August, and for more information on nominee requirements and how to nominate, please go here.

We're pleased to offer 50% off Youth Work apprenticeship enrolments until 30 September 2025. Enrolments are now priced at just $1,000 (incl. GST)*, a saving of $1,000.

The Youth Work apprenticeship is a 21-month work-based programme designed to provide youth workers with a broad understanding of the wider social context in which they work, as well as the skills and attitudes to work alongside and support young people and their family and whānau. More information about the programme is available here.

Ebony Poutu was content in her role in shoe retail until a video about youth work opened her eyes to a new career path.

Ebony is now a Driving School Coordinator at Youth Inspire and is working towards her New Zealand Apprenticeship in Youth Work through Careerforce. In her role as Driving School Coordinator, Ebony is responsible for helping rangatahi to achieve their learner, restricted and full driving licences. She finds her role deeply rewarding,

“You can see the long-term effects not only on the individuals, but on their whānau and community as well. So even though it feels like we’ve only got this short time with them, that impact can have very lasting outcomes,” says Ebony.

Ebony is part of a cohort of staff at her workplace all working towards their Level 4 Youth Work Apprenticeship.

Read more about Ebony's story >

REMINDER - We're pleased to offer 50% off Primary Care Practice Assistance apprenticeship enrolments until 31 August 2025. Enrolments are now priced at just $1,000 (incl. GST)*, a saving of $1,000.

The Primary Care Practice Assistance apprenticeship is a 20-month work-based programme designed to support the staff member to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to contribute to the effective operation of a primary care practice. More information about the programme is available here

IMPORTANT: This offer applies to domestic learner enrolments only. To be eligible for promotional enrolment pricing, training agreements must be received by Careerforce no later than 31 August 2025.

Applications for the Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata open from 12 August to 12 September 2025.

This is the second round for the fund, which has about $15m to spend down over three years to benefit the following workforces: Aged support; Cleaning; Disability support; Home and community health services; Mental health and addiction support; Social services; Urban pest management; and Youth work.

Organisations within these industries that can effect positive change at significant scale are encouraged to find out more.

If you have read what the fund supports and what it doesn't, and assess you have an eligible project, email admin@workforcefuturesfund.nz to make a time to discuss your proposal. It’s a very specific fund and this chat will help you decide whether to commit the resources required for an application.

Sessions are offered in both the morning and evening to suit different shifts. Please encourage your staff to join the sessions covering modules they need extra help in. Learners have been emailed a schedule so please get them to check their junk/spam folders. The schedule can also be found here.

If your organisation has several learners and you’re interested in in-person workshops, please contact us at dementiasupport@careerforce.org.nz to discuss further.

Visit our website here for more information.

Don't forget that new learners can kickstart their learning by enrolling in a 'Good To Go' online onboarding session. These one-hour sessions give learners an introduction to Careerforce, work-based learning, and how to get started. Sessions are for Level 2 & 3 learners, and Level 4 Dementia Care (LCP) and Advanced Care and Support learners. We ask that you encourage your learners to attend. Evening sessions are also now available. Also, learners who enrolled some time ago, but haven't yet made a start with their training are very welcome to attend.
Learn more >

Free wellbeing support for learners

Do you have learners struggling with their learning due to physical or mental health concerns or stress?

We’re committed to promoting a healthy learning environment where Careerforce enrolled learners can talk to someone confidentially about their wellbeing when they need to.

These learners can complete the referral form on our website to connect with a Careerforce Wellbeing Advisor.

Support is available via phone, text, email, Teams, or in-person (location dependent).

Learners can visit the website and complete the online form: