Moving forward together: Competenz deepens support for learners and employers

With apprentices and employers across the country navigating an evolving sector, Competenz focused on stability, support and momentum — strengthening learner pathways and employer capability ahead of the 2026 shift to Industry Skills Boards.

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More than 7,000 apprentices and trainees are developing their careers through Competenz-supported programmes across New Zealand - everywhere from engineering workshops to plastics manufacturing lines, heating and ventilation rooms, forestry operations and fabrication floors. And in 2025, that collective momentum has only grown. Even as the vocational education system continued to evolve, our focus remained clear: equip learners and employers with the support and confidence they need to make real progress.

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A major driver of that progress has been the continued strengthening of our Learner Support Framework. The needs across our network have become more varied, and this year the framework supported apprentices everywhere from engineering workshops and plastics plants to fire protection crews and forestry teams. By early 2025, more than 1,000 learners were joining our fortnightly study groups - a sign not just of demand, but of trust and belonging.

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Support for priority learners has continued to deepen. Whether someone needs help with literacy, numeracy, drawing, or navigating neurodiversity, we’ve ensured there’s a pathway that meets them where they are. Accessibility has remained a priority too, with 300 Chromebooks circulating nationally — many in the hands of learners who would otherwise struggle to engage online.

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Wellbeing has been another steady thread through 2025. Our partnership with Vitae continued to provide vital mental-health support.

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Employers have also played a pivotal role in setting apprentices up for success, and in 2025 our nationwide Train-the-Trainer workshops helped build that capability even further. The series focused on practical, real-world coaching skills — exploring how effective on-the-job guidance can unlock learner confidence and potential. Sessions introduced employers to simple, repeatable frameworks that lift workplace training from routine instruction to genuine development.

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Delivered across the country, these workshops also created valuable space for employers to connect, share approaches and learn from one another. Feedback has been exceptional, with many noting how the tools and support from Competenz are helping them upskill their own teams while strengthening the wider employer network.

These workshops have helped lay a solid groundwork for improving learner outcomes at scale as we move toward 2026.

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As we prepare to transition into the new Industry Skills Board structure, one thing remains constant: our commitment to learners and employers. Whatever changes lie ahead, our mission stays the same - ensuring every apprentice has the chance to succeed, and every employer feels confident backing the next generation of skilled workers.

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