Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

Future Delivery of Furniture Industry Training in Aotearoa New Zealand

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Work-based training has been central to the development of skills across New Zealand’s Furniture sector—supporting apprentices, tradespeople, designers, and production staff to build capability in real workplace settings.

As the vocational education system continues to evolve, the furniture industry now has an opportunity to help determine how training will be delivered in the future. From 2027, delivery may sit with a range of providers including Polytechnics, Private Training Establishments (PTEs), Wānanga, or other approved organisations. While current arrangements remain in place during the transition period, decisions made over the next two years will shape Furniture’s long-term training landscape.

Purpose of this EOI

This Expression of Interest seeks to identify providers capable of delivering high-quality, industry-aligned training for the furniture sector into the future.

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This process places industry at the centre of decision-making, ensuring that training remains relevant, responsive, affordable and outcomes-focused.  In considering future delivery, the furniture sector is seeking a model that:

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1. Maintains strong alignment between  training and real workplace practice .

2. Ensures consistency of standards  while allowing flexibility across regions and providing for small workshops and larger-scale manufacturers

3. Delivers measurable improvements in  skills, productivity, and retention

4. Keeps industry actively involved in  shaping programmes and delivery

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The long-term model must also be sustainable, scalable, and able to adapt to changes in technology, materials, and design practices. 

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Provider Capability Requirements

Respondents to this EOI will ideally demonstrate capability across the following areas: 

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1. Compliance and Accreditation – be prepared to meet regulatory requirements, maintain accreditation and have a strong understanding of industry compliance and safety expectations.

2. Industry Connection and Relevance  - have proven experience working with the furniture or related manufacturing sectors, enabling input into programme design and delivery

3. Training Design and Delivery – demonstrate strong integration of on-job learning with flexible, cost-effective delivery approaches (including digital options) and nationwide reach and delivery.

4. Learner Achievement and Outcomes - evidence strong completion and progression rates and a commitment to equitable outcomes across diverse learner groups.

5. Employer Partnership Approach – demonstrate effective communication, relationships and flexibility to respond to employers (especially in the furniture sector where applicable); have training that is embedded into workplace practice and a culture for supporting workplace-based supervisors and mentors.

6. Learner Support Systems – demonstrate structured support and engagement, aligned to the Education(Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021;have systems for early identification and support for learners requiring additional assistance and have support initiatives that are culturally responsive and inclusive.

7. Systems and Data Capability – have reliable systems for tracking learner progress and reporting capability to meet regulatory and industry requirements

8. Governance and Organisational Strength – demonstrate stable governance and leadership structures and financial sustainability 

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Submission Requirements

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This is an exciting and critical opportunity to support the future of Furniture training. Employers and the sector are instrumental to the decision of who deliver work-based training. Please submit an Expression of Interest no later than Thursday 28th May, 2026 to VETreform@competenz.org.nz that provides a paragraph on each of the following (no longer than 1500 words in total):

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1, Organisation profile and relevant  experience

2. Proposed approach to delivering furniture sector training

3. Examples of employer and industry engagement (especially with the Furniture Sector)

4. Approach to learner support and wellbeing

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