Unit & Skills Standards and Vocational Education

Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) ensure the vocational education system meets industry needs and gives a stronger voice to Māori business and iwi development. There are six WDCs and their responsibilities include setting standards, developing qualifications and helping shape the curriculum of vocational education.

For those teaching the following subjects, we’d recommend you should look at.

• Hospitality - Ringa Hora
• Building, Construction, BCATs - Waihanga Ara Rau
• Computing - Toi Mai
• Metal Technology and Engineering, Competenz - Hanga Aro Rau

Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) play a significant role in driving innovation and excellence in vocational education. They do this by strengthening links with industry and communities.

Each CoVE addresses specific issues and opportunities and operates as part of the vocational education system, working closely with Workforce Development Councils, Regional Skills Leadership Groups and Te Pūkenga. The Government has allocated $5 million of funding a year, for up to five years, for the two CoVEs.

CoVEs are intended to be an enduring part of the vocational education system, but their purpose, deliverables and membership may change over time. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) makes sure each CoVE is a genuine centre of excellence, bringing together the right people to identify opportunities, solve problems and drive innovation.