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The electrical apprenticeship system is being reset — and this is a structural shift with real consequences.
With the move away from Te Pūkenga and the introduction of Industry Skills Boards, the system is being refocused. The role of these ISBs is clear: set the standards, define the qualifications, and hold the system to account — not deliver training themselves.
EarnLearn, formerly the apprenticeship delivery arm of Te Pūkenga, now sits within the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Skills Board. It supports around 1,600 electrical apprentices — a sizeable share of the industry’s future workforce. It cannot continue to be run within the ISB and needs to be shifted into a more suitable long-term home.
Where EarnLearn sits, and how it operates going forward, will directly impact employers, apprentices, and the strength of the electrical workforce.
How the system works today
Apprenticeship training is already delivered across a mix of providers, including:
- Skills Group (formerly ETCO)
- Polytechnics across the country
- EarnLearn
This is already a shared system, not a single-provider model.
What needs to happen next
The priority is to move EarnLearn’s apprentices into a setup that is designed to deliver training properly — one that works for both apprentices and employers over the long term.
At the same time, there is a clear line that won’t be crossed:
Current apprentices must be protected.
If you’ve got an apprentice with EarnLearn:
- Training continues
- Progress is recognised
- Completion stays on track
No disruption. No uncertainty.
The plan — simple and seamless
Right now, EarnLearn holds the training agreements, but the actual training is already delivered through a network of polytechnics.
To keep things simple and avoid disruption, the proposed approach is:
- Training agreements move from EarnLearn to Open Polytechnic
- Apprentices stay with their current training providers (typically local polytechnics)
- Employers see little to no change day to day
This is a behind-the-scenes structural shift — not a change to how training is delivered on the ground.
The outcome:
A cleaner, more fit-for-purpose system going forward
Continuity for apprentices
Stability for employers
Why this matters — even if you don’t have an apprentice
This isn’t just about EarnLearn. It’s about the kind of system the industry ends up with.
At its core, this is about keeping the market open and competitive.
Even if you’re not training today, this determines whether in the future you have:
- Choice of provider
- Flexibility if things aren’t working
- Access to training that fits your business
A competitive system lifts performance.
When providers have to earn your business:
- Service improves
- Issues get resolved faster
- Training quality lifts
- Apprentices become productive sooner
Without that, you risk being locked into a system with limited options — and carrying more of the burden when it underperforms.
If you’ve got apprentices with EarnLearn — whether it’s working well or not
If you currently have apprentices with EarnLearn, this change is about strengthening what’s already working — and fixing what’s not.
For those having a good experience:
- Stability is maintained
- Progress is protected
- Existing relationships continue
For those where things haven’t been as smooth, this creates an opportunity:
- Your apprentice stays in training and continues progressing
- The system becomes more accountable and easier to navigate
- You’re not locked into a single structure
Because delivery continues through a network of providers, it opens the door to:
- Better support and responsiveness
- Clearer communication and escalation
- More consistent delivery
Alongside this, Master Electricians is looking to strengthen support through a pastoral care model — helping apprentices stay on track, improving completion rates, and giving employers more backing where needed.
The bigger picture
This is about getting the system right.
Master Electricians is advocating for:
- Employers at the centre of training
- Multiple providers — not a monopoly
- Stronger accountability
- Apprentices who are genuinely work-ready
Because this directly impacts your business.
If the system underperforms, you carry the cost — in time, productivity, and risk.
If it performs, you get capable apprentices who contribute sooner.
Bottom line
Protect what’s in place today.
Fix what’s not working.
And build a system that actually delivers for employers.
To secure this outcome, we need clear backing from industry.