Skills Group pushes for degree‑level apprenticeships and student‑loan access

UPDATE - follow-up to Apprenticeships should be offered at same level as degrees - training provider: The Skills Group released a white paper calling for apprenticeships to be re‑graded to the same qualification level as a bachelor’s degree. It urges the government to give employers financial incentives to take on apprentices, to shift training focus toward specific skill outcomes, and to allow apprentices access to student loans and training allowances. Josh Williams, head of consulting at the group, said the current rule limiting apprenticeships to level 4 of the Qualifications Framework is outdated and blocks higher‑skill pathways, noting many trades require level 6 or 7 expertise. He cited Scotland’s degree‑level apprenticeships as a model, describing how engineering students could split time between lectures and paid on‑the‑job learning. The paper also proposes credit for existing industry skills, arguing that over half of construction apprentices already possess relevant experience. Williams pointed to Singapore and Australia’s focus on skills as workplace currency and highlighted OECD data showing New Zealand’s severe skills‑mismatch problem. Peter Couchman, general manager of Seven Electrical, called the recommendations “on the money” and said a student‑loan option would be “huge” for apprentices coping with living costs in Wellington. He added that higher‑level apprenticeships could change parental attitudes toward trades. Apprentice Mikyla Brown said a loan or allowance would have helped during her pre‑trade certificate, stressing the safety stakes of her work. Riki Blundell, who finished his electrical apprenticeship three months ago, welcomed the proposed changes.

Context

The proposal seeks to align apprenticeship outcomes with degree standards, addressing the gap between training levels and industry skill needs.