To make the most of new opportunities and growth potential, you need to align your workforce skills with your strategic direction. We can help you structure training solutions that help you upskill your people and stay on track for success.
The first step in determining what sort of training programme you should run is a workforce competency assessment. Our skills assessment questionnaire can help get you started.
Depending on the number of staff you employ, you may need support from one of our industry training advisors to help develop your training solution.
Now is the perfect time to invest in upskilling your team. Take advantage of available funding options, including Fees frees for apprenticeships and targeted traineeships, and Government wage subsidies that have been set up to help employers train apprentices and staff.
The Final-Year Fees Free policy has replaced the First-Year Fees Free policy, as of 1 January 2025. The final 24 months of work-based training costs may be reimbursed to the learner if they are eligible. Eligible learners will need to make the claim for reimbursement via IRD once they have completed their qualification.
Visit the Fees Free website for full details.
Upcoming changes to the Apprenticeship Boost funding initiative that will take effect in 2025. These changes will impact certain apprenticeship sectors, including Mechanical Engineering and Fabricating, which will no longer be eligible for targeted funding under the updated schedule.
The Government initiative is to now prioritise first-year apprentices and industries with critical skill shortages, shifting from a COVID-19 recovery measure to a targeted approach supporting key sectors for economic growth and increased female participation.
From 2025, the following training programmes such as the New Zealand Certificates in Engineering Fabrication, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Building Services, and Dairy Systems will no longer be eligible for apprenticeship boost funding.
A Government review in July 2027 will assess the targeted sectors to ensure alignment with ongoing industry needs.
For those currently accessing Apprenticeship Boost funding, you can continue to receive payments into 2025 if:
For detailed updates, visit:
Mana in Mahi provides a wage subsidy and other pastoral care for employers of new and currently enrolled first and second-year apprentices through Work and Income’s Mana in Mahi scheme.
If you need more information from our expert team, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. This is updated frequently. If you can't find an answer, get in touch by clicking the chat bubble at the bottom right of the screen. We are currently experiencing high demand, so answers typically take two business days.