Apprenticeships in NZ now that ITOs and Te Pūkenga have changed

What changed

October 2025: Parliament passed the legislation redesigning the vocational education and training system.
1 January 2026: eight Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and ten regional polytechnics began operating, and the work-based learning divisions moved under the ISBs.
1 January 2027: the Ministry of Education says Tai Poutini Polytechnic transfers to the Open Polytechnic, and WITT, Whitireia/WelTec and NorthTec become operational.
On or before 31 March 2027: Te Pūkenga (renamed NZIST) is to be disestablished, per the Ministry of Education. Some industry pages give 31 December 2026, so check the current date.
31 December 2027: ISBs stop managing training and remaining enrolments with them end.
1 January 2028: ISB programmes must have moved to polytechnics, private training establishments or wānanga, and ISBs become standards-setting bodies only.

Eight Industry Skills Boards now cover the main industry groups. After the transition they become standards-setting bodies only, so they are not where you enrol. Check the TEC page for the current list.

What it means if you want to start an apprenticeship

Find an employer who will take you on. An apprenticeship is a job first.
Together you sign a training agreement with a training provider for your trade. During the transition the provider may still be the Industry Skills Board division that grew out of your old ITO, so ask your employer who it is.
Ask which provider your employer uses. Former ITO names may still be familiar to employers, but check the current arrangement directly with them.
If you are already an apprentice or trainee, ask your provider how the transition affects your agreement. The principle is that your training continues.

The money side

Support	Detail
Apprenticeship Boost	$500 a month (excluding GST) paid to the employer for up to 12 months. Apprentice must be less than 12 months into their apprenticeship, with an active enrolment and training agreement. The employer applies, within 20 days of the apprentice starting, and reconfirms details monthly. Not available for State sector employers, or where the employer already receives another MSD wage subsidy (such as Flexi-wage or Mana in Mahi) or an MBIE payment for the same apprentice. The Work and Income page gives no end date for the scheme, so check it is still open.
Fees Free	Final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000, only if you complete by 31 December 2026 and meet the other rules.
Mana in Mahi	Work and Income supports some people who need extra help to take paid work with training towards an NZQA-approved apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship qualification. Ask Work and Income whether it is open to new applicants.
Pre-trade courses	Often funded at a polytechnic. They can lead to an apprenticeship.

What you will be paid

An apprentice is an employee. You must be paid at least the minimum wage, which is $23.95 an hour for adults (from 1 April 2026). A training wage of $19.16 an hour can apply to workers aged 20 or over whose agreement requires at least 60 industry training credits a year. Check your pay against your agreement and ask your employer about the apprentice pay scale in your trade. If you are being asked to work for free as a trial, or are being called a contractor, see the contractor guide.

Can I start an apprenticeship at 40 or 50?

Yes. There is no upper age limit. Many employers are open to experienced workers with transferable skills (for example, a former machine operator moving into engineering). Bring evidence of what you have done and ask whether any of it can be credited towards the qualification.

Sources

General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.