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
The New Zealand VET Research Forum is back!
We are excited to announce that the NZ VET Research Forum will be held in November this year in Wellington. This research event is for all those passionate about work based learning and VET research. Co-hosted by our host organisation Skills Group and the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, this year’s Forum carries the theme “Rebuilding Together”, showcasing research and collaboration as the New Zealand vocational education sector continues its transformation.
We are also delighted to announce that Kathryn Rowan, Executive Director of GAN Global will deliver a keynote at the event. You can see Kathryn talking about GAN in the accompanying video that celebrates 10 Years of GAN!
To present or participate in the Forum, the call for abstracts and registration is now open!
Call for Abstracts
We invite researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to submit abstracts (up to 300 words) for presentation at the Forum. Submissions close 5pm, 17 September 2025. Presentations should highlight evidence-based outcomes, best practice, innovation, and collaboration – with strong encouragement for contributions that incorporate Māori perspectives and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Submit your abstract or register here: New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum
We look forward to seeing you there!
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.
Become a GAN New Zealand Member
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