Future Delivery of Locksmith Industry Training in Aotearoa New Zealand

Work-based training is the backbone of New Zealand’s Locksmithing industry, helping apprentices, trainees, and employees build practical skills on the job.

With vocational education reform underway, the Locksmithing sector now has an opportunity to help shape how training will be delivered from 2027 onwards. Future delivery could sit with Polytechnics, Private Training Establishments (PTEs), Wānanga, or other approved providers. While current arrangements remain in place with Competenz during the transition, the decisions made over the next two years will play a key role in shaping the future of Locksmith training.

Purpose of this EOI

This Expression of Interest (EOI) seeks providers that can deliver high-quality, industry-relevant training for the Locksmithing sector into the future.

The process puts industry at the centre of the decision-making, helping ensure training remains practical, responsive, affordable, and focused on strong learner and employer outcomes.

In considering future delivery, the Locksmithing sector is seeking a model that:

• Maintains strong alignment between training and real workplace practice
• Ensures consistency of standards while allowing flexibility across regions and providing for small workshops and larger-scale manufacturers
• Delivers measurable improvements in skills, productivity, and retention
• Keeps industry actively involved in shaping programmes and delivery

The long-term model must also be sustainable, scalable, and able to adapt to changes in technology, materials, and design practices.

Provider Capability Requirements

Respondents to this EOI will ideally demonstrate capability across the following areas:

1. Compliance and Accreditation – Be prepared to meet regulatory requirements, maintain accreditation, and have a strong understanding of industry compliance and safety expectations.
2. Industry Connection and Relevance – Have proven experience working with the Locksmithing or related manufacturing sectors, enabling input into programme design and delivery.
3. Training Design and Delivery – Demonstrate strong integration of on-job and block course learning with flexible, cost-effective delivery approaches (including digital options) and nationwide reach and delivery.
4. Learner Achievement and Outcomes – Evidence strong completion and progression rates and a commitment to equitable outcomes across diverse learner groups.
5. Employer Partnership Approach – Demonstrate effective communication, relationships, and flexibility to respond to employers (especially in the Locksmithing sector where applicable); have training that is embedded into workplace practice and a culture for supporting workplace-based supervisors and mentors.
6. Learner Support Systems – Demonstrate structured support and engagement, aligned to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021; have systems for early identification and support for learners requiring additional assistance and have support initiatives that are culturally responsive and inclusive.
7. Systems and Data Capability – Have reliable systems for tracking learner progress and reporting capability to meet regulatory and industry requirements.
8. Governance and Organisational Strength – Demonstrate stable governance and leadership structures and financial sustainability.

Submission Requirements

This is an exciting and critical opportunity to support the future of Locksmith training. Employers and the sector are instrumental to the decision of who delivers work-based training.

Please submit an Expression of Interest no later than Thursday 28 May, 2026 to VETreform@competenz.org.nz that provides a paragraph on each of the following (no longer than 1500 words in total):

• Organisation profile and relevant experience
• Proposed approach to delivering Locksmithing sector training
• Examples of employer and industry engagement (especially with the Locksmithing sector)
• Approach to learner support and wellbeing

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