The Government has confirmed nine new industry-led senior secondary subjects, designed to give students clearer pathways into trades and technical careers alongside traditional academic subjects. The subjects are Next-Gen Manufacturing, Applied Intelligent Systems, Construction and Built Environment, Energy and Infrastructure, Engineering Technology, Food and Fibre Systems, Health Services and Care, Hospitality Food and Beverage, and Tourism.
Automotive and transport will sit within Engineering Technology, developed by the Transport Industry Skills Board (TISB) in partnership with the Energy and Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Engineering, and Electrotechnology, IT and Creative sectors’ skills boards. Development runs through 2026 and 2027, with the subject expected to be available to Year 12 students from 2029 and Year 13 students from 2030.
Recognition for essential trades
Motor Trade Association Chief Executive Lee Marshall says the announcement is important recognition of the value of trades to young New Zealanders and the wider economy. “At a time when many young people concerned for their future are considering or taking up opportunities overseas, and others worry about the impact of AI, this shows there are real pathways into essential trades for those who want to earn while they learn,” he says.
“With the growing dependence of modern vehicles on complex and interconnected technologies, the automotive and transport trades represent no less of a challenge than many academic courses.”
MTA Director Grant Woolford sits on the Transport Industry Skills Board. Marshall says MTA has long argued for greater recognition of the sector. “MTA has long argued for automotive, transport and other trades to be given the recognition they deserve. Not only are they highly skilled jobs, but collectively they also keep the country moving,” he says. “While ‘engineering technology’ isn’t as specific to the automotive industry as we would like, we appreciate the concept of allowing the system to be broad enough that learners can try different elements of the broad spectrum of engineering and technology-related industries and make their own conclusions on where they can best thrive.”
TISB Chief Executive Samantha McNaughton says the subject is designed to connect classroom learning directly to real careers. “This subject will give students practical experience of engineering concepts and help them understand how those capabilities connect to further study, training, apprenticeships, and employment,” she says.
Funding and what comes next
The Government has allocated $15m in Budget 2026 for developing the new qualifications, under Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Education Minister Erica Stanford. Marshall says he hopes the investment doesn’t stop there. “The reality is that trades have been under-valued for a long time, and to really invest in attracting learners, skilling and preparing them for the workforce needs ongoing commitment,” he says. “We’re also calling for greater financial support for employers who take on young apprentices, so they’re rewarded and not penalised for investing in the future workforce.”
Marshall adds that the next generation of apprentices will find not only a comparatively secure career path in an AI-disrupted job market, but also easier routes into business ownership down the track.
