Originator/Sponsor: Food and Fibre CoVE
Portfolio Managers: Jackie Lynch
Status: Completed
Lead Agency / Service Provider: Kathryn Koopmanschap/HTK Group
Objective:
To embed the Skills Framework within the education system, this project will;
- Develop the content of the Skills Framework so it can be used by vocational education and training (VET) providers and Muka Tangata
- Develop a self-reflection tool for learners to use the food and fibre Skills Framework
- Integrate the Skills Framework into strategic and policy discussions for the food and fibre VET sector.
Abstract:
This Project is the third in a series that began with the Training and Career Pathways project that led to the development of the report, A New Approach to Learner Pathways, developed by Muka Tangata.
The second project, A New Approach to Learner Pathways (NALP), developed the Skills Framework, which is a radically simplified tool that:
- Enables greater flexibility for ākonga and enhance transferability of skills across the food and fibre sector
- Is infused with te ao Māori
- Uses and prioritises Māori understanding of areas such as sustainability and wellbeing, that can be enhanced over time as future skill needs are realised
The Skills Framework provides an opportunity to provide an innovative approach to qualification development and positively move the dial for the food and fibre (VET) sector through implementation of the key parts of the framework covering the following areas:
- Core transferable skills – where current skills can be built on, in other areas of work
- Core technical skills – generic skills common to most industries in the food and fibre sector
- Specialised technical skills – unique skills or knowledge for a certain industry
- Bodies of knowledge – develop superior knowledge in a particular area
Check out the online Food and Fibre Skills Framework, which makes it easier for employees, employers, and educators to access and use.
A case study titled ‘A Skills-First Career Mapping Approach’ explores the integration of the Skills Framework to highlight career pathways within the food and fibre sector. Initiated by Muka Tangata, this project involves collaboration with industry experts to develop industry-specific career pathway maps and adopt a skills-first approach to workforce attraction and retention. The methodology incorporates industry roles, skills data, the Skills Framework, and skill clusters. To validate the approach, interactive online sessions were conducted, which refined the mapping of roles and skills into cohesive clusters. The data collected from these sessions were analysed using Power BI to create a comprehensive ‘Careers Dashboard’.
A second case study titled ‘Groundspread NZ Leadership Skills’ has been developed. It looks at how at how an Industry body working with an education provider, used both the Skills Framework and the Principles-lead Leadership Model to design a tailor-made leadership training programme for their industry.
Finally, the CoVE co-ordinated discussions about how the development of skill standards and qualifications can better integrate Transferable Skills, across all the six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) and other standard-setting bodies (SSBs), including NZQA’s National Qualification Services (NQS) and Māori Qualification Services (MQS.) As part of this project, an analysis of existing standards and qualifications, and the existing situation was completed. The Situation Report provides a summary of what is working, and what could be used to improve the development of core skills in our workforce.
The Project Summary Report was then completed, which offers a timely analysis of the current system, presents key recommendations for building a more cohesive and skills-focused framework, and emphasises the importance of continued collaboration across the vocational education ecosystem. The goal is to support a future-ready workforce by embedding transferable skills into qualification design and delivery, enabling greater mobility for learners and better alignment with industry needs.
The above information was current as of 11 August 2025.