Under section 367(2) of the Education and Training Act 2020 (“Act”) the Minister for Vocational Education gives notice specifying the criteria for determining when a programme developed by a provider must be endorsed by an Industry Skills Board before it may be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) under section 439 of the Act.

Notice

1. This notice may be cited as the Notice of Criteria for When Industry Skills Boards Must Endorse Programmes.
2. This notice comes into effect on 1 January 2026.

Criteria

3. A programme of study or training developed by a provider must be endorsed by an Industry Skills Board under section 367(1)(f) of the Act before it may be approved by NZQA under section 439 of the Act, if that programme:
1. leads to a qualification developed or maintained by the Industry Skills Board concerned, or
2. leads to a non-degree qualification at levels 3–7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework that:
1. is designed or serves as an entry point to, or a pathway to progression within, a specified industry covered by the Industry Skills Board, and
2. is on a list of such qualifications published by the Industry Skills Board on an internet site maintained by, or on behalf of the Industry Skills Board.
4. An Industry Skills Boards must update the list of qualifications referred to in paragraph (b)(ii) as soon as practicable after a qualification is added to, or removed from, the list.
5. To avoid doubt, the criteria specified in this notice do not apply to:
1. programmes developed for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), or
2. programmes developed by universities for approval under section 453 of the Act.

Revocation of Notice

This notice revokes the Notice to Define when Workforce Development Councils will Endorse Programmes, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 4 May 2022, Notice No. 2022-go1664.

Dated at Wellington this 30th day of November 2025.

Hon PENNY SIMMONDS, Minister for Vocational Education.