Source: Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence
A timely report released by the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence (Food and Fibre CoVE) on the back of the Government announcing stronger vocational pathways, urges a shift away from outdated concepts of “transitions” between school and work, calling instead for a more integrated, flexible, and future-focused approach to education and employment pathways in New Zealand.
This is the third and final phase of Food and Fibre CoVE’s Secondary School Pathways and Transitions to VET and Employment Project, and it presents a compelling case for reimagining the so-called “secondary-tertiary-employment transition” as a more holistic and responsive school-to-work interface. The report draws on case studies, expert interviews, and extensive policy review to showcase promising practices in the food and fibre sector and beyond.
“The idea of a ‘transition’ suggests a one-off handover from school to something else,” said education specialist Arthur Graves, who co-authored the report with Skills Group. “But young people aren’t just moving between systems, they’re on a journey that involves continuous progression. We need to stop treating education and employment as silos and start building connected pathways that reflect real life.”
The report proposes a system that spans Years 12–14, where dual enrolment becomes the norm and students have access to a wider range of curriculum and funding options that support more flexible, individualised learning journeys. It calls on government, industry, and education providers to adopt a coordinated, value-based approach that treats the school-to-work interface as both a skills pipeline and a value chain for the nation.
“If we want young people to thrive – and if we want a productive, future-ready workforce – we need to think beyond just getting them from school to tertiary education,” Arthur added. “The real journey is from school to work. That’s where lives are shaped, and where industries like food and fibre find their future leaders.”
The case studies in the report highlight how schools, tertiary providers, and industry partners across Aotearoa New Zealand are reshaping the connection between education and employment. They showcase a range of innovative approaches – from school-led ecosystems and industry-driven models to regionally embedded partnerships and integrated curricula. Each example brings the report’s key themes and recommendations to life, offering practical, real-world solutions already making a tangible impact on young people, their communities, and the industries they are preparing to enter. The case studies featured include:
Manurewa High School: A School-Led Ecosystem for Integrated Pathways
Primary ITO Trades Academy: A National Industry-Led Model
Feilding High School: A Pioneering Model for Food and Fibre Education
Bay of Plenty Futures Academy: Community and Culture Delivers for Food and Fibre
Pukekohe High School: Achieving True Integration in Pathway Education
BUSY School Auckland: Revolutionising Education for Disengaged Youth
The report is particularly relevant for stakeholders in the food and fibre sector, but its recommendations have broader implications for workforce strategy and national education as it reforms towards a new curriculum.
To read the full ‘Future Focus’ report and explore the case studies, visit: https://foodandfibrecove.nz/project/secondary-school-transitions-and-pathways-to-vet-and-employment/
Information about Food and Fibre CoVE
Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence (Food and Fibre CoVE) is dedicated to transforming vocational education and training for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. By prioritising research, innovation, and collaboration, Food and Fibre CoVE aims to ensure the sector thrives by attracting, retaining, and developing the skilled workforce needed to drive its future success. The CoVE understands that fostering innovation and investing in vocational education and training are essential for enabling meaningful change, and they are committed to uncovering opportunities to improve performance across the sector.
Success for Food and Fibre CoVE hinges on strong collaboration with the 14 key industry groups that represent the diverse food and fibre sector, including dairy, forestry, fruit, and seafood, among others. It also relies on partnerships with organisations such as Workforce Development Councils, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Pūkenga, and various training providers. Through these relationships, the CoVE ensures the sector’s evolving needs are met and its challenges addressed, providing a hands-on approach to implementation that maximises the impact of research and delivers practical, effective solutions to industry and learners alike.
About the Report Authors
Josh Williams
Josh has been at the forefront of key developments in New Zealand’s education system for over two decades. He brings fresh thinking and practical solutions to challenges in school-to-work transitions, curriculum design, qualifications, assessment, and quality assurance. A former Chief Executive of the Industry Training Federation, Josh also held a senior policy leadership role at the Ministry of Education, where he led foundational and vocational education policy and was one of the architects of New Zealand’s Vocational Pathways. Now Head of Consulting at Skills Group, Josh is passionate about partnering with organisations globally to improve vocational outcomes and system performance.
Arthur Graves
Arthur Graves has had a long and distinguished career as a leader in both the secondary and tertiary education sectors. His previous roles include Principal of Greymouth High School, Deputy Chief Executive of Whitireia Polytechnic, Chief Executive of the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, and Chair of both the New Zealand Secondary Principals’ Council and Careers New Zealand Board. Widely recognised as a systems thinker and strategist, Arthur played a pivotal role as Youth Guarantee Group Manager, leading the cross-agency implementation effort to operationalise initiatives at the secondary–tertiary interface. In his current work as a consultant, he collaborates extensively with industry and government, contributing to major national strategies such as the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) and the Vocational Education and Training Reforms.
Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence.
