Reform of Vocational Education (Rove)
Current Situation
Major reforms are underway for apprentice training through the government's review of vocational education (RoVE).
The creation of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology is complete, following the merger of the country’s 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.
Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice training now sits under Te Pūkenga's EarnLearn division.
Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council (WDC) for construction and infrastructure, has been established to develop qualifications and consult with the industry regarding proposed new training programmes.
Our position
- Any changes to the PDG New Zealand Certificates (Level 3 and 4) should always be industry-led, with ample opportunity for development and feedback.
- Master Plumbers encourages industry leaders to join the PDG Strategic Reference Group, to ensure new qualifications meet working standards.
- Block course delays must be addressed. Master Plumbers has successfully advocated for training fee payment exemptions for those apprentices who are over duration due to course scheduling delays, compounded by the merger.
- Other issues must be addressed, including tutor shortages, substandard facilities and a lack of innovative training methods to convey rapidly evolving technologies.
- With critical plumbing skills shortages in New Zealand, we do not want any disruptions due to training reforms to discourage employers from taking on apprentices.
We want
- The best outcome for industry apprentices in world-class facilities with high-quality instruction that prioritises course consistency, sufficient tutor support and training accessibility.
- Industry-led training delivered by high-quality, innovative and financially viable providers.
- Continued industry involvement in regards to standard development and training delivery
To keep up to date with developments in the training space, Te Pūkenga has a regular column in NZ Plumber magazine.
