The Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) is a business-driven alliance that promotes work-based learning and apprenticeships across multiple sectors as a way to bridge the gap between the skills people have and the skills employers need.
GAN empowers people, businesses and communities to thrive in a world of transformation by delivering workplace education and training to align skills with the demands of the labour market.
GAN New Zealand:
- Strengthen companies’ and organisations’ engagement in apprenticeships.
- Shares best practices in the areas of apprenticeships, mentoring and on-the-job training
- Encourages effective knowledge sharing programmes and partnerships from GAN’s network of committed local and global companies and organisations.
Highlight of the Month
Celebrating Two Days of Vocational Education Research Excellence 💫
This month, Skills Group (GAN NZ host organisation) and BCITO came together at Te Papa to run the New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum (NZVETRF).
Over the two days we welcomed researchers, practitioners, and policymakers committed to strengthening vocational education in Aotearoa and beyond. The forum provided a valuable platform for sharing evidence-based insights and discussing what works in VET, which is particularly timely given the ongoing changes in our vocational education sector.
A highlight was having Kathryn Rowan, Executive Director of GAN Global, deliver a keynote address. Kathryn’s insights on quality apprenticeships and collaboration across organisations including the role of the private sector in workforce development resonated strongly with attendees. We were equally fortunate to hear from Craig Robertson, CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority, who shared perspectives on skills planning and system innovation from Australia’s experience.
We were honoured that both Minister Penny Simmonds (Vocational Education) and Minister Erica Stanford (Education) took time to address the forum, demonstrating government’s interest in research and evidence-informed policy in this space.
The quality of presentations and discussions throughout the two days reflected the dedication of our VET research community with the breadth of topics covered underscoring the challenges and opportunities ahead for vocational education.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making NZVETRF 2025 a success, the presenters who shared their research, the participants who engaged thoughtfully, our sponsors Connexis, EarnLearn, ConCOVE Tūhura, Scarlatti as well as our co-hosts BCITO for their partnership in bringing this important event to life.
Here’s to continuing the conversation and translating research into practice that benefits learners, employers, and communities across Aotearoa.
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Our focus areas:
Gender
Despite some recent encouraging trends, women are underrepresented in a number of trades areas. GAN New Zealand’s hosting organisation, Skills Group, has been part of a three-year research programme in New Zealand to understand the barriers to participation in traditionally male-dominated trades, and we believe the perception issues highlighted by the research can provide valuable insights to others, as well as continue to effectively advocate for much-needed change.
Equity and achievement
While there are persistent achievement gaps between Māori and non-Māori across New Zealand’s Education system, Tertiary Education Commission data shows these gaps are observed least in employer-led traineeships and apprenticeships. This finding is a testament to the effectiveness of work-based learning, standing alongside the substantial range of evidence we are able to offer the global network on what has worked to improve the participation and achievement of priority learner groups, and sustain these outcomes.
Employer capability
Achieving strong outcomes from work-based learning systems has as much to do with how we support the employer as it does with how we support the employee. We know that the drag on New Zealand’s productivity relates to management and supervisory capability, and as small enterprises dominate the New Zealand market, building employer capability can help businesses improve and grow while getting the most value out of their training investments.
Degree-level and advanced apprenticeships
While one-off pilots and good work has been achieved in some areas, policy and operational barriers remain. These hold back work-integrated pathways and apprenticeship models to achieve higher level qualifications, including degrees. As part of vocational sector reform and the qualifications framework, GAN New Zealand is keen to broker new connections between the higher education and vocational education sectors in New Zealand.