New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum

Rebuilding together.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa

Skills Group and BCITO are delighted to join forces to return NZVETRF as a unique national event to showcase and disseminate new and emerging research and innovation in Vocational Education and Training.

Since 2004, the NZVETRF has been the must-attend event for policy makers, researchers and practitioners engaged in vocational education, across all parts of the tertiary sector and industry.

The vocational education sector is transforming through both policy and technological change. Knowing 'what works' and what is emerging is more critical than ever as a new network of provision for vocational education and training is established.

Over a day and a half you'll hear from international and national keynote speakers, government and sector stakeholders, the learner voice, and debates on the hot topics, along with curated and competitively selected research and evidence presentations.

Places are limited - register now to secure your place at Aotearoa's pre-eminent cross-sector vocational education event.

Call for Abstracts Now Open

We now invite researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to submit abstracts for presentation at the Forum. As part of New Zealand's premier VET research platform, your contributions will help shape New Zealand’s future as our sector moves forward.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and outline your completed research and intended presentation. We particularly welcome submissions that address one or more of our key conference themes:

·       Workplace learning and Industry Training

·       Diversity, Access and Equity

·       Developing our Future Workforce

·       Technology and Innovation

·       Learner Journey and Outcomes

·       Collaboration and System Approaches.

Your research should demonstrate evidence-based outcomes, share good practice, support high-quality research networks, and inform policy development. We encourage submissions that honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and incorporate Māori perspectives in VET innovation.

Submit your abstract here

Submission Deadline: 5pm, 17 September 2025

An assessment panel comprising representatives from Skills Group, BCITO, and an independent assessor will evaluate all submissions. Successful presenters will be notified by the end of September 2025.

Keynote Speaker Announcement

We are delighted to announce that Kathryn Rowan, Executive Director of Switzerland-based Global Apprenticeship Network will address the Forum.

Kathryn is a seasoned leader with a background in human resources and corporate social responsibility, who brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Vice President of Human Resources, Zone Latin America, and Global Youth Lead at Nestlé. Throughout her career, Ms. Rowan has consistently demonstrated a passion for harnessing the power of business to drive positive change in society. During her tenure at Nestlé, in national, regional, and global roles, she promoted initiatives to strengthen leadership and capability building, diversity, and corporate reputation, while spearheading youth-focused efforts, including the Global Alliance for Youth.

The Global Apprenticeship Network was established in 2014 by ILO, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Business at OECD. GAN is governed by a private-sector led, multi-stakeholder coalition representing major global corporations and international organisations, GAN's primary role is to encourage businesses to implement apprenticeship and WBL programs and support the creation of an enabling policy environment.

Further programme details and speaker announcements will be made in coming weeks, so register now!

Your Co-Hosts

Skills Group is New Zealand's largest Private Training Establishment, supporting 17,000 learners and training across 33 industries, through both work-based and provider-based learning, across 15 campuses nationwide.

BCITO is New Zealand's largest provider of Apprenticeships, having qualified 55,000 tradies and counting, across 15 construction and allied trades.

Skills and BCITO gratefully acknowledge Ako Aotearoa, the Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence, for support and permission to carry this event forward. We acknowledge Ako's enormous contribution to VET research and this event over many years. NZVETRF is a taonga, and as co-hosts we are committed to upholding the mana of the event.

Partner with us.

NZVETRF is all about walking the talk on sector collaboration. We warmly invite interest from interested education and industry partners to join on as event supporters. Sponsorship and event supporter packages are available. Contact nzvetrf@skills-group.org for details.