ACT will put trades on an equal footing with university

“Stop railroading children into thinking that university is the only path to success,” says ACT List Candidate Paul Henry.

"New Zealand’s education system has been obsessed with pushing young people towards university. Success has too often been measured by whether a student goes on to get a degree, while trades have wrongly been treated as a second-best option. 

“It’s an outdated attitude that has done a disservice to generations of young New Zealanders. 

“ACT will unlock New Zealand’s potential by helping every young person realise their own potential and not pushing everyone down the same path.

“Trades are not a second-best option. For a bright, ambitious young person, becoming an electrician, builder, or mechanic can be the most intelligent decision they ever make. They can earn while they learn, build valuable skills, avoid taking on a large student loan, and potentially go on to run their own business and employ others.

“ACT will end the university-first mindset and put trades on an equal footing.

"The Government has already made a good start:

• The NCEA replacement will include industry-led subjects, developed with Industry Skills Boards established in early 2026, from construction to primary industries.

• Funding has shifted from Fees Free to Trades Academies, but places are capped and the programme has traditionally focused on students at risk of disengaging. 

“There are great examples by schools such as Ashburton College and Palmerston North Boys’ High that show what local partnerships can achieve but the problem is, schools have largely had to build these programmes alone. 

“ACT will build a proper national pathway so that choosing a trade is just as straightforward and respected as choosing university.

“ACT’s policy has three parts:

1. Funding that follows the student

“ACT will ensure schools keep their base and equity funding when students take approved vocational courses off-site. Schools will also receive funding for each student enrolled in an approved industry-led subject, for up to two subjects per student each year, averaging about $2,000 per subject.

“ACT will bring STAR, Gateway, Trades Academies and Vocational Pathways into one uncapped system, with funding following student enrolments within existing Education baselines.

2. Industry Awards alongside University Entrance

“ACT will create Industry Awards for senior students who complete two industry-led subjects and a related academic subject, such as primary industries with agricultural science, biology or business. 

“The award will show employers and training providers that students have relevant learning and are ready for their next step, without making it a requirement for an apprenticeship or limiting employers’ hiring choices. 

Students can earn the award and University Entrance in the same year, keeping further study options open.

3. New subjects as industries change

“Industry Skills Boards will continue proposing and developing subjects where there is genuine employer demand, so vocational learning can respond to new technologies and changing workforce needs. 

“ACT will ensure access does not depend on a school having to create a system on its own. 

“ACT will work with Industry Skills Boards and NZQA to ensure that credits earned through approved industry-led subjects can be recognised after students leave school and count towards relevant apprenticeship and vocational qualifications, where appropriate.

“New Zealand needs skilled tradespeople just as much as university graduates. An apprenticeship isn’t a consolation prize - it’s the right path for many young people. 

“ACT will remove barriers to vocational education, recognise students’ preparation for work, and give employers a stronger voice in what students learn in their trade studies."