About trades academies#

A trades academy, also called a secondary-tertiary programme, is a partnership between a school and tertiary institutions. 

This partnership may also include: 

• industry organisations
• employers
• wider community partners. 

The partnership is formed to provide learning opportunities for senior secondary students motivated by a trades career. This gives students an opportunity to gain practical skills and industry experience while still at school. It also helps students stay engaged in education for longer.

Expansion of trades academies#

Budget 2026 included an initiative which will expand Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivery for secondary school students. This budget initiative included an expansion of the existing trades academy initiative by 10,000 places during the next 3 years.

More trades academy places for young people – Beehive.govt.nz

This is the first nationwide EOI phase for trades academies since the original establishment processes in 2010 and 2011. 

Existing trades academies have already been allocated places for the 2027 expansion. There is now scope for new trades academies to be considered for 2028 and 2029. 

New programmes will allow improved access to vocational education and training in the new system.

Who can apply#

All education providers in New Zealand who are eligible under Schedule 8 of the Education and Training Act 2020 to lead a trades academy can apply. This includes state or state-integrated schools who have senior secondary aged students and tertiary education organisations. Under current operational policy, these schools will be prioritised over private or charter schools.

Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation

Trades academies can be led by either: 

• a lead provider (a single organisation), or 
• a provider group (multiple organisations, with at least 1 school and 1 tertiary provider).

Non-education organisations, such as employers, can be included within provider groups. The opportunity is open to both new and existing organisations involved in trades academies as partner providers.

Our establishment criteria#

Any new provider and programme will need to show they can meet our establishment criteria and specific needs, including:

• the ability to respond to and fill regional need such as areas or schools with existing undersupply
• the ability to respond to industry area gaps in existing provision
• course alignment with the future industry or Ministry-led subjects
• an ability to show that you can deliver more places in 2028 or 2029.

Submissions will be assessed against both minimum entry level requirements, general requirements, and a range of criteria which assess respondent capability, capacity and overall quality. 

How to submit an EOI#

Your organisation should submit an EOI if you have any potential interest in leading a trades academy in 2028 or 2029, and beyond.

You can contact our trades academy team. They will:

• record your organisation's details 
• send you the EOI response form and supporting guidance.

You can then submit an EOI application at your discretion.

The EOI response form and supporting documentation will not be provided after the deadline for EOI response submissions.

If you have other enquiries about the EOI process, contact the trades academy team.

Email: [email protected]

EOI phases and establishment process#

This EOI process is the first of 3 phases. A summary of the full process is set out below. The EOI supporting guidance document outlines each phase in more detail.

Phase 1 – EOI#

The EOI phase seeks to determine nationwide interest in the opportunity to expand the number of trades academies operating from 2028 or 2029. The process is intended to shortlist potential programmes. Shortlisted organisations can be considered for lead provider or provider group recognition from the Minister of Education.

Phases 2 and 3 – establishment plan#

These phases will apply to any shortlisted respondents, who will need to provide substantial evidence to support the establishment of a trades academy, such as policies, procedures and processes. Plan submissions are subject to Secretary for Education approval.

Timeframes#

Our high-level timeframes for this EOI and establishment process are outlined below. The dates provided are for a 2028 start. 

For programmes starting in 2029, the shortlist notification date will be the same. Adjusted timeframes will apply for establishment processes in late 2027 and early 2028.

2026

• Deadline for EOI response questions – 4 December.
• Deadline for EOI response submissions – 4pm, 11 December.

2027

• Shortlisted providers notified – 28 February.
• Request for establishment proposals released – 28 February.
• Deadline for establishment proposals response questions – 25 May.  
• Deadline for establishment proposals – 1 June.
• Successful respondents notified – 30 June.
• Successful respondents provided funding notice and agreement – 31 July.

2028

Expected start date of contract for 2028 establishment – 1 January.

Future EOIs#

We may consider more new providers in 2027 for establishment in 2029 in a separate EOI phase if the current phase does not provide enough suitable trades academies.