The future of our industry is being shaped now. As the government consults on the structure of Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), it’s critical that the Electrotechnology sector is recognised with its own dedicated ISB. Our industry powers the nation’s innovation, safety, and low-emissions future – it must not be grouped under unrelated sectors.

Now is the time to act. Make your submission and advocate for an individual Electrotechnology ISB.
Your feedback ensures our training, standards, and qualifications reflect the needs of the electrical, data, security, automation, HVAC, and energy technology industries.

How to let your voice be heard

Step 1: Access the Survey
Go to the official consultation survey here

Step 2: Answer Key Questions

Complete you contact information and then use use the following guidance when completing the key questions:

Q: Overall, do you support the proposal to establish seven ISBs?
Select: Not supportive

Q: What aspects of the proposal do you support, and why?
Example response:
I support the  strengthened industry ownership and influence over vocational education through ISBs. Our industries future relies on industry leadership and connection. Ensuring qualifications are aligned to industry needs is critical. However, the grouping of Electrotechnology under construction does not provide this and dilutes the contribution that our industry will make to the NZ economy and energy transition.

Q: What aspects of the proposal do you have concerns about, and why?
Example response:
I am concerned that Electrotechnology has not been allocated its own ISB. Electrotechnology is not a niche industry, with over 23,000 trainees in 2023, our industry is larger than Automotive and Infrastructure, both of which have their own ISBs. The industry makes a $47billion GDP contribution to NZ Inc.  Electrotechnology has specific safety, regulatory and technical training requirements that are not shared with general construction. Failing to separate it will risk workforce readiness, public safety, and innovation.

Q: Do you have feedback relating to a specific industry?
Select: Yes
Industry: Other – specify – Electrotechnology

Q: Can you specify the name of the industry (detailed)?
Write: Electrical and Electrotechnology – including electrical contracting, data, security, automation, HVAC, and energy technologies

Q: Will your industry be covered by an ISB or NZQA?
Select: It will be covered by an ISB

Q: How supportive are you of the ISB your industry has been allocated to?
Select: Not Supportive

Q: Tell us more about the reasons for your answer
Example response:
The electrical industry must be governed by a dedicated ISB for electrotechnology. It has unique regulatory frameworks (e.g. EWRB licensing, NZS/AS standards), high safety risks, and cross-sector integration with renewables, automation, data, HVAC and security. This industry is converging at a rate that no other industry is experiencing. The pace of change coupled with the transformation that the energy transition is bringing about relies on a workforce that is capable and equipped with the right skills for the future.  Grouping it under Construction or Infrastructure ISBs will continue the current misalignment between qualifications and workforce needs. This model under the current WDC has already led to outdated training, poor completion rates, and industry disengagement. A standalone ISB will better serve the workforce and national goals around energy transition. electrification, emissions reduction, and innovation. The scale of the electro technology sector, and its role in enabling other industries to become more efficient and productive provides a clear rationale for a dedicated ISB.

Step 3: Submit Your Response
Complete the remaining demographic and contact fields, then click Submit.

Spread the Word
Encourage your colleagues, employees, and industry partners to make a submission too. Every voice counts in securing a strong future for our sector.