Training for Good - February 2026: Planning for 2026, Learner support, grocery vouchers and more

Hard to believe it’s already February! Have you thought about your study plan for the year - how much time you can study each week, what time of day works best, and how you’ll make space for it?

If you haven’t made a plan yet, now’s a great time. Regular study sessions will help you stay engaged, make steady progress, and complete your programme.

Do you know who your assessor is and how to get started? If not, check in with your manager, or give us a call on 0800 277 486 or email us at info@careerforce.org.nz

You’re not on your own, we’re here to support you. So, if you’re stuck on a question or topic, reach out to your assessor or manager, or connect with colleagues who’ve completed the qualification. They all want to see you succeed.

Don't forget we hold Achieve Study Hubs around the country. Learners at any level can come to ask questions, talk to an assessor, meet other learners, get study tips, and have a place to study. Come along if you can. See the article below about Achieve Study Hubs. More information, dates and venues, and how to register is available here.

As a learner, it’s important to stay motivated, but remember pacing your studies can be helpful:

Better understanding: Taking your time helps you understand the material more deeply. Rushing through, can mean missing important details or struggling to keep up.

Reduced stress: Pacing your learning helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. It allows you to focus on one topic at a time, which can lead to better results.

More retention: When you learn at a comfortable pace, you're more likely to remember what you've studied. Taking breaks and reviewing the material helps keep it in your memory.

Stronger skills: Learning step-by-step builds stronger skills. By not rushing, you can practice and apply what you've learned in real situations, making you more confident.

Time for support: Pacing your learning gives you time to ask questions or get extra help if you need it, making sure you don’t fall behind.

Try to stay consistent and keep a steady pace so you don’t lose momentum. Small steps forward every day can lead to great progress.

Tip - It is important that you complete one unit standard / module before you start another. In that way we can check you are on the right track, before you move on to the next task.

Lifelong learner Marchie Rose Morillo-Pagtanac’s journey is a powerful example of growth, resilience, and giving back.

She began with a Level 2 Health and Wellbeing programme, progressed through a Dementia Limited Credit Programme, and completed an Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy. Driven by her passion for supporting elderly and vulnerable people, Marchie became a Careerforce registered workplace assessor.

She now assesses staff across multiple programmes while continuing her own development through postgraduate study at the University of Auckland, proof that lifelong learning never stops. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Careerforce registered assessor.

Learners who are new to Careerforce are strongly encouraged to attend a 'Good To Go' online onboarding session. These sessions are for Level 2 & 3 learners, Level 4 Dementia Care (LCP) and Advanced Care and Support learners. They give an introduction to Careerforce, work-based learning, and how to get started. Recently enrolled learners should check your inbox for an invitation to the next events on 25 February 2026.

Did you miss the last onboarding session? Catch up with this short video highlighting what we covered.

This Accessibility area is designed to help you learn in a way that works best for you. It brings together tools that support things like reading support and font/colour changes. These options help remove barriers to learning, support independence, and make it easier to stay engaged and confident as you learn.

We have also recently changed to a new Accessibility Widget. This tool lets you customise your viewing experience using different functionalities that are designed to adapt to individual needs and can be turned on whenever you need it.

Flu Vaccinations in 2026

The National Public Health Service is providing influenza vaccinations for non-Health NZ workforce in 2026. Here is the link for further information and access to the Reimbursement Portal.

Reimbursement is available for non-Health New Zealand health and disability sector employees, self-employed lead maternity carers, and carers employed under individualised funding arrangements who satisfy all three of the following criteria:

provide a health and/or disability service
have direct patient/client contact
are not eligible for a publicly funded influenza vaccine

>>More information

Each month, a survey is sent to recently completed learners, so that we can better understand what aspects of their training worked well, and perhaps not so well, and also the difference their training is making to their practice. This survey has been running since 2021, with nearly ten thousand graduates having now completed the survey. Here’s a few highlights from our recent survey report covering graduates across 2023 – 2025.

Key barriers to completion remain lack of time, issues with assessment comprehension, and lack of technology to assist with study, while key enablers to completion continue to be the regular support from their assessors, support from colleagues/friends/family, and the quality of the Careerforce learning resources.
As in previous reports, nearly all graduates agreed that [as a result of their training] they gained new skills and knowledge (92%), that their work improved due to learning (88%), and that they now have more confidence to do their work (89%).
Overall satisfaction amongst graduates remains high at 8 (out of 10).

If you're close to completing your programme and eligible for Fees Free, you may qualify for up to $12,000 towards your final two years of work-based learning.

Eligible learners who have finished their first provider-based or work-based qualification can apply via myIR for Fees Free support once they've completed their programme. Payments will begin in 2026 for studies completed from 2025.

Learners must apply within one year of completing their qualification or programme.
eg. For study completed in 2025, the deadline is 31 December 2026.
If you have a student loan, the payment will go towards reducing your loan balance. Otherwise, Inland Revenue will pay it directly to your bank account.
If you used Fees Free for your first year of work-based learning, you will not be eligible for final-year Fees Free.

If unsure, you can check your eligibility and apply at ird.govt.nz/fees-free.
For more information, visit Before you apply - Inland Revenue

Have you considered what you'd like to do when you finish your current programme? Are you keen to broaden your knowledge via further work-based learning programmes? It's never too early to think about what to study next.

For those of you coming to the end of your Level 3 programme, this is a good time to consider if a Level 4 Apprenticeship is the next step for you.

Check out the full list of apprenticeships or for a full list of our programmes.

Your employer may also be eligible for $500/mth Apprenticeship Boost payments for the first 12 months of the apprenticeship.