The future for primary sector work-based learning

Information on the new structure for primary sector work-based learning.

Learning with Primary ITO 2025-2026

The Government has announced that Primary ITO, a business division of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (formerly known as Te Pūkenga) will transfer to a new entity called the Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board (ISB) on 1 January 2026.

All existing programmes, micro-credentials and training activities that are currently provided by Primary ITO will transfer to the Food and Fibre ISB. All enrolments in those programmes, micro-credentials and training activities (whether current, former or pending) will automatically transfer to the Food and Fibre ISB. Employers and trainees do not need to sign new training agreements with the Food and Fibre ISB, as these agreements will automatically transfer.

If you wish to enrol with Primary ITO for 2026, please continue to apply via our website and your application/enrolment will be automatically transferred to the ISB in 2026.

If you have any questions about the upcoming changes and how this might affect your study, you can find further information
on the TEC website, or you can contact us.

Updated 2 December 2025

History of the changes: Government decisions on the future of work-based learning - 24 April 2025

Following the targeted consultation with industry in early 2025, the Minister for Vocational Education announced on 24 April the government’s decision to introduce an industry-led independent work-based learning model.

The two key components of the independent model are:

Work-based learning is able to be offered by any provider that meets the government’s quality and funding requirements: institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), private training establishments (PTEs) and wānanga. Providers will manage all aspects of an apprenticeship or traineeship, including the pastoral care for learners.
Industry Skills Boards will be established on 1 January 2026 to ensure the qualifications needed by employers across the country are available to all providers.

Industry Skills Boards will be statutory standard-setting bodies, with majority industry governance. They will be responsible for developing qualifications, endorsing programmes and moderating assessments over key industry sectors. They will also have a workforce analysis function for their sectors, and provide investment advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

The industry-led independent model was consulted on earlier this year, but has a modified transition phase, designed to give industry a greater role in the future of the work-based learning system.

To enable the transition to this new model, Te Pūkenga’s work-based learning divisions, including their existing apprentices and trainees, will transfer to an Industry Skills Board for up to two years. It is expected that during this period industry-led private training enterprises will be established to take over delivery from the work-based learning divisions, and ITPs and wānanga will also establish new work-based learning programmes.

Employers, apprentices and trainees will be able to continue to work with and enrol the same people they currently work with. Although there will be changes to the reporting lines for the work-based learning divisions in Te Pūkenga, courses and qualifications will continue to be delivered, and every effort will be made to ensure that training is not disrupted.

More information

For further information please visit the TEC website.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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