Government help with training

ITOs are government-supported organisations that:

• help people get NZQA-recognised qualifications while they’re working
• provide information and advice to trainees, apprentices and employers
• arrange and facilitate education and training for their industry
• arrange assessments and define training standards.

Search for suitable courses and qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) website (external link) .

There’s an ITO for various different industries and professions, including:

• most trades
• service industries
• primary industries
• manufacturing
• retail
• social and community services
• sport and recreation.

Work and Income offer financial assistance to help new employees develop the skills to do their job.

If you’re about to employ someone currently on a benefit who needs workplace training, Work and Income might be able to:

• cover part of their wage for up to a year while they learn, and
• subsidise the cost of their training (depending on what it is).

To qualify:

• the position has to be permanent, and for at least 30 hours work a week (although you may still qualify for the subsidy if the position is part-time)
• you must pay market wages for the job, and
• you must not have dismissed anyone else to employ the person.

If you qualify, you’ll:

• pay their wages just like you normally would, and keep wage records in case Work and Income needs to refer to them
• send Work and Income a completed claim form and wage records
• get the subsidy direct credited into your business bank account
• need to cover the balance of the employee’s wages, PAYE, GST, ACC levies and holiday pay, as well as health and safety requirements.