Providers and partners

Approval of programmes of industry training

Programmes of industry training are developed by transitional industry training organisations (transitional ITOs). The programmes lead to qualifications listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

Programmes of industry training provide structured learning arrangements for industry trainees, and assessments are carried out by or on behalf of an ITO.

A programme of industry training can be at any NZQF level and can provide a range of vocational learning opportunities.

For more details about applying for approval of a programme of industry training, see the sections below:

Rules for programmes of industry training

NZQA has made NZQF Industry Training Programme Approval Rules that apply to transitional ITOs seeking approval under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Guidelines for approval of programmes of industry training

NZQA provides guidance for transitional ITOs seeking approval for programmes of industry training.

This is included in the Guidelines for applying for approval of programmes leading to New Zealand qualifications at Levels 1-6 on the NZQF and the accreditation of organisations to provide approved programmes.

Preparing to apply

Applicants must be a transitional ITO.

Read the above Guidelines, then download and complete the Application for approval of programmes of industry training form (DOC, 90KB), ensuring that all supporting documents have been provided.

Applications for approval of programmes of industry training must include:

Programme of industry training application form or equivalent (see above)
A record of the transitional ITO’s internal approval of the programme of industry training
A self-assessment report that addresses the key evaluation question for a programme of industry training
Details of any sub-contracting arrangements (including a copy of the sub-contracting agreement) if applicable.

All documents must be provided in PDF format.

Submit the completed application form, along with all associated documents, using the TEO application web page (see below) on the NZQA secure site.

Access the online application process

Accessing the online application process requires a TEO login for the online Education Sector Services.

If your organisation does not have a login or sufficient access to complete the online application, contact the Ministry of Education Service Desk on 0800 422-599 or email service.desk@education.govt.nz or find the forms to apply at the ministry's Education Sector Logon page.

Obtaining a login may take a few days, so check your access before you first try to apply online.

Submitting applications online

Select the LOGIN button in the top right corner of this web page.
Select the appropriate organisation type and complete your login details.
Choose 'TEO Applications'.
Create an application.
Select Programme Approval. This takes you to an application overview.
Click on contact details. The contact details page will be pre-populated with your organisation’s contact details. You should make any changes necessary to ensure the details are appropriate for the industry training programme.
Follow the instructions and guided application template.
Attach and upload any supporting documents in PDF format.
Submit.
Email a Word copy of the Programme Details Form to qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz with the case number in the subject line.

You will receive an automatically generated email acknowledging that we received your application.

On the supporting documents page, attach and upload the following:

A PDF version of the completed programme document template
Your organisation’s internal approval (refer to page 19 of the Guidelines)
Any other supporting documentation (e.g. sub-contracting arrangements).

Apply for consent to assess

If your programme of industry training contains unit or achievement standards, you must have consent to assess for these standards before your industry training programme application can be approved. Consent to assess requires a separate application.

If you need to apply for consent to assess against standards, this can be done at the same time as your programme of industry training application. See Consent to assess for more information.

How much does an application for a programme of industry training cost?

NZQA charges $190 per hour (GST exclusive) for analysis of an application.

There may be additional costs if NZQA is required to contract industry or sector experts to review an application.

Assessment of applications

The Guidelines sets out the evaluative methods NZQA will use in deciding whether or not to approve programmes of industry training.

If there are any queries about an application, NZQA will contact you.

Changes to programmes of industry training

It is expected that changes to programmes of industry training will occur naturally as a result of reflective self-assessment.

For more details see Guidelines for approval and accreditation of Level 1-6 programmes.

Types of changes

Two types of programme change require application to NZQA for updating programme and component records and/or quality assurance approval.

Type 1 changes

Type 1 changes relate to one or more components of a programme which do not have an impact on the overall programme and where the qualification to which the programme leads is unchanged. A component means the courses, papers, modules or assessment standards that make up the programme leading to the qualification.

Details of the changes are submitted to NZQA to ensure accurate records are maintained and the criteria for programme approval continue to be met.

However, if there are changes to more than one programme component which, when taken together, NZQA considers impact on the overall programme, then NZQA will consider the application as a type 2 change.

Type 2 changes

Type 2 changes may occur as a result of a review of the qualification, which means the programme leading to the qualification needs to be changed to meet the new qualification requirements.

This requires NZQA approval.

Type 2 changes may apply to diplomas at level 7 which have an integrated qualification and programme.

Supporting information for an application

Applications for changes to an approved programme of industry training must include enough information to confirm that the criteria for approval will continue to be met after the changes are implemented:

details of the qualification the programme leads to
details of and rationale for the proposed changes to the programme
confirmation that the programme still meets the qualification requirements
transition arrangements for existing students (where applicable).

Submitting a change to an approved programme

Type 1 changes

Send NZQA an email with the details of the amendments to the programme and also state the nature of the change(s).

All tertiary education organisations should notify the Approvals and Accreditation team.

Type 2 changes

To notify NZQA or apply for a change to an approved programme, use the TEO secure login.

Follow the steps below:

Log in using your ESAA ID and password.
Choose "TEO Applications".
Create an application.
Select "Degree change", “Category 2 course change” (type 2) as appropriate. This takes you to an application overview.
Click on contact details. The contact details page will be pre-populated with your organisation’s contact details. You should make any changes necessary to ensure the details are appropriate for the programme change.
On the application/request detail page complete the relevant fields.
On the Supporting documents page, attach any documentation in PDF format.
Submit.

You will receive an automatically generated email acknowledging that we received your application.

Further information

For more information or queries, contact our Client Services team.