Silos, Competition and Fragmentation in New Zealand’s Vocational Education System

Abstract

New Zealand persistently underperforms in productivity compared with many comparator nations. Solutions require active upskilling
of the nation’s domestic population. Piecemeal funding across competing vocational education providers, and over-reliance on internationally qualified migrants, are contributors to fundamental failures in domestic skills development and employment. Informing this analysis are notable failures in governance and delivery in three high population-growth regions.

A cohesive vocational educational system with intentional investment in domestic skills development is critical. Clear, multilevel
governance, attention to the place of learning, strong regional voice, iwi/Mäori partnership, and industry alignment are required
if New Zealand is to achieve the productivity gains needed to lift overall economic performance.