top-small-wave
Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board
logo logo
Apply for Registration Manage your Licence Advice for Consumers Complaints and Disciplinary Processes Resources Self-contained vehicles About the Board
close menu
logo
Apply for Registration Manage your Licence Advice for Consumers Complaints and Disciplinary Processes Resources Self-contained vehicles About the Board

Safe and Skilled Episode 3: Vocational education reform: what it means for supervisors

Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]
Date: 3/03/2026

Safe and Skilled is an AI podcast series for practising plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. Each episode explains key topics and what they mean in practice. In this episode, Steve talks about the changes to New Zealand’s vocational education and training system, and what they mean for our trades. He explains what changed in early 2026, including the:

  • disestablishment of Te Pūkenga
  • move to a new regional polytechnic network
  • introduction of Industry Skills Boards
  • role of the Construction and Specialist Trades ISB
  • aims of the new work-based learning model

Most importantly, he clarifies what hasn’t changed. This episode is for anyone who supervises apprentices, employs trainees, or wants clear guidance on how vocational education reform affects their professional responsibilities.

 

Listen to the episode on Spotify or search for Safe and Skilled in your podcast app.

 

More information:

If you’ve got feedback or ideas for future episodes, email us at comms@pgdb.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you.

Next Post