Skills for Good - January 2026: Careerforce joins ISB, Support with training costs and more

Kia ora koutou

It’s a real pleasure to welcome you to our first Careerforce newsletter for 2026, a year that marks an exciting new chapter for all of us. As of 1 January, Careerforce has now formally transitioned [out of Te Pūkenga] into the Education, Health and Community Industry Skills Board (ISB), where we continue to operate as a distinct division, ensuring continuity of service and support for the employers and learners we serve.

Alongside this transition, we have also adopted a new organisational structure for Careerforce, designed to deliver improved outcomes for both employers and learners. Within Careerforce, new teams have come together, including an Employer Partnerships team focused exclusively on the needs of our employers, and a Learner Success team focused exclusively on learners. You can find out more about these teams below.

These changes position us strongly for the year ahead, and I’m genuinely optimistic about what this year will bring. Our transition into the ISB, combined with our refreshed structure, enables us to focus even more sharply on supporting high‑quality work‑based learning and the excellent outcomes it delivers for learners and workplaces, and the communities they serve across Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi nui

Rod Bentham
Executive Director, Careerforce

The ISB partners with industries and employers to understand what skills are needed now and in the future. It develops qualifications and sets national standards, reviews and improves training programmes. It also advises the TEC on the required mix of, or investment in vocational education and training,

The ISB is seeking people with:

A passion for growing the strength of the health, education, and community sector
Strong governance and change leadership experience
Experience in education, health, or community sectors
Insight into education, training, and workforce development

Full boards are expected to be in place from 31 March 2026. Submissions close 5pm, Wednesday 18 February.

Our new Employer Partnerships team is here to make workforce training easier and more effective for you. This team works alongside employers across New Zealand to support workforce development, strengthen workplace training, and make sure assessment is consistent and of high quality.

With Regional Workplace Advisors (formerly CWAs) on the ground across Aotearoa, we build strong partnerships with employers, assessors, trainers, and observers, helping learners stay on track, grow their skills, and successfully complete their qualifications.

The new team is headed by General Manager Employer Partnerships, Penny Rogers. With many years’ experience working at Careerforce, Penny has a deep understanding of workforce development needs in the health and wellbeing sectors. More about Penny>>

Angela, a Peer Support Worker with Housing First Ōtautahi, completed the Peer Support Apprenticeship to formalise her lived experience. Her work focuses on trust, empathy, and empowerment, supporting vulnerable kaewa through recovery, housing, and health challenges while modelling hope, boundaries, and ethical peer support practice. “It’s [the apprenticeship] not easy, but it’s one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do,” says Angela

A number of grants are available to help meet the costs of attaining Health and wellbeing qualifications. Some of your staff may be eligible.

IPMHA Professional Development Grant
This is a professional development grant specifically for people working in roles as part of the integrated primary mental health and addiction (IPMHA) programme, employed as health improvement practitioners (HIPs), health coaches, or support workers in primary care and community settings. The grant will help cover the costs for people taking part in learning activities that develop professional knowledge and skills. Applications close 10 February 2026.
IPMHA Professional Development Grants January 2026 | Te Pou

Mental health and addiction professional development (study) grant for people of Muslim faith
Applicants for this grant either want to pursue a pathway into the mental health and addiction sector or currently work in the sector and want to build on their existing qualifications. The study grant aims to help grow the diversity of the workforce and lead to a health system better able to meet the needs of those of Muslim faith. Applications close 10 February 2026.
Mental health and addiction professional development (study)… | Te Pou

Futures that Work Scholarship
Growing the size and skills of the Pasifika mental health and addiction workforce takes more than just financial support. It’s also a combination of providing appropriate mentoring, coaching, cultural and pastoral care, as well as support in identifying employment and career pathways. The Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship programme is open to those of Indigenous-Pacific descent, currently enrolled in an NZQA accredited mental health-related qualification. Applications close 9 February 2026.
Futures that Work Scholarship - Le Va

Pacific Health Scholarships
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Pacific Health Scholarships support the development of our Pacific health and disability workforce. The Scholarships contribute to tuition fees for eligible students of Pacific Islands descent undertaking a course in medical and health or disability-related studies, accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Applications close 9 February 2026.
Pacific Health Scholarships – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Hauraki Primary Care Health Workforce Grant
Funding is available for kaimahi in primary and community health, who are interested in further education, skills development and/or support. Funds are intended to build sustainability in this workforce, particularly for those who will be building primary and community health capability and local workforce.
Te Whanaketanga

A new dedicated Learner Success team has been set up in 2026 to surround every learner with the support they need. This includes comprehensive onboarding and pastoral care support, as well as dedicated Māori, Pacific, disabled and ESOL learner support.

Once your learners are enrolled in a programme and have started on their training journey, it’s important they remain motivated, engaged and supported as they progress their knowledge, skills and career.

We welcome Jamie Smiler, General Manager Learner Success to the Careerforce whānau. Jamie is leading this new team and though new to Careerforce, he has extensive leadership experience in the vocational education system, applied and kaupapa Māori research, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for ākonga and their whānau. More about Jamie>>

New learners are strongly encouraged to 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. Please keep an eye on our website for details of upcoming sessions: Learn more >>

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

Learners impacted by the recent floods, including disruption to home, work, or study, may find this additional support particularly beneficial.

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.

Learners can visit our website and complete the online form.

Driven by her passion for supporting elderly and vulnerable people, Marchie became an assessor to mentor staff and strengthen workplace learning. She is now actively assessing staff across multiple programmes and continues her own development through postgraduate study at the University of Auckland, living proof that lifelong learning never stops.

Driven by her passion for supporting elderly and vulnerable people, Marchie became an assessor to mentor staff and strengthen workplace learning.

From time to time we need to make changes to these documents, e.g., as a result of Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) updates.
With the transfer on 1 January 2026 from Te Pūkenga into the Education, Health and Community Industry Skills Board (ISB), we have made further updates.

It is essential that you use the most up to date versions of training agreements, as old versions can no longer be accepted. Current training agreements are accessed from the forms page on the Careerforce website.

The National Public Health Service is providing influenza vaccinations for non- Health NZ workforce in 2026. Here is the link to 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