Arrival and Networking

Welcome

Exhibitor Turbo Pitch

Morning Tea

Featured Session James Laughlin - Leadership Strategist and Mental Skills Coach

Featured Session Grant Klinkum, NZQA

Lunch

The Value of Credentialing (The transformative potential of micro-credentials)

The rapid evolution of vocational education has underscored the transformative potential of micro-credentials in addressing skills gaps and fostering lifelong learning. This research investigates the role and impact of micro-credentials within New Zealand and around the world, offering a critical analysis of their effectiveness and alignment with industry needs. Drawing on an extensive international literature review and robust stakeholder engagement, the presentation will examine regulatory frameworks, terminology, and the practical applications of micro-credentials across various sectors.

My AI journey - what's worked, what hasn't

My presentation will share my journey as an Academic Manager using AI, from my first fumbling's with ChatGPT to agentic AI. This will be an honest reveal of what has worked, what hasn't, where I've saved time and what have been the time wasters. I hope to use the time to also ask participants to share their AI tip or trick, as we figure out how to harness this technology to sort through the complexities of quality and compliance.

Against the Odds: How PTE Practitioners Secure Competitive Research Funding without Dedicated Infrastructure – An Evaluator’s Perspective

In Aotearoa New Zealand’s tertiary education landscape, Private Training Establishments (PTEs) typically operate without the research infrastructure available in universities. They often lack access to dedicated research offices, professional grant writing support, and formally allocated research time. Despite these structural limitations, PTE educators have successfully secured competitive research funding through opportunities such as Ako Aotearoa Research and Innovation Agenda (AARIA). This presentation shares insights from an evaluator’s perspective on how these outcomes were achieved and how they can be applied more broadly. Drawing on data and case studies from the 2024 and 2025 AARIA Contestable Funding Rounds, the session explores what enabled these proposals to succeed and offers practical lessons for educators and leaders across the sector.

Sharon-May McCrostie Director International & Sector Engagement - Education New Zealand presentation

TBC

Reciprocity - Creating and Publishing Learner Stories

Literacy Waitākere in partnership with Auckland Council Libraries has published nine books that are on the shelves of Auckland Libraries and many libraries across the motu. The books are graded to the TEC Learning Progressions and can be used for recreational reading as well as teaching resources. Sue West and Nina Mercep will take you on a journey into the stories of adult learners and how the books are developed with the learners. There are four more books currently in production and two larger format books funded by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities.

Afternoon Tea

When and how do learners learn online?

The learner profile has changed and increasing numbers of vocational education and training providers are building flexibility into their programmes by offering online learning. Although learners report high satisfaction with (good quality) eLearning, there is a paucity of data on how learners actually engage. Method. GA4 event-based tracking was embedded into the Pipi Learning Moodle LMS, which currently hosts eLearning from six vocational education and training providers. Learners were required to allow tracking, creating a sample population of users. Robust user data protection settings were enabled, so certain information including specific course participation and location data were anonymised.

“Giving Learners a Voice": Piloting an AI Oral-Assessment Agent in NZ Vocational Training

Written assessments alienate learners who face literacy, neurodiversity, location or language barriers. This prevents many from reaching their potential in formal education. To address this, Scarlatti (funded by the Food and Fibre CoVE) has built and piloted what may be the world's first conversational AI agent for formal oral assessment. Come up to speed in our session, which will include: A global snapshot – Drawing on a rolling two-monthly scan of AI products and pilots, we will map the newest conversational AI tools in education, and highlight shifts in public perception. Demo and NZ case study - We will conduct a live demo of our agent, and share the results of recent NZ pilots with dairy and horticulture learners. How to guide & lessons learnt – A rapid walkthrough of our step-by-step playbook: how to decide whether an agent is right for your learners, and how to build, pilot and evaluate it. We will share the lessons we learnt the hard way. Interactive Q&A – We will open the floor for attendees to ask questions. Participants will leave with: - A global snapshot on AI in assessment - QR code access to the demo - A "is this right for us?" checklist - A step-by-step playbook on how to make one.

Navigating the Human Element: Enhancing Student Experience, Equity, and Resilience in High-Stakes Testing

In the turbulent seas of international education, ensuring fair, accessible, and supportive assessment practices is paramount. This presentation delves into the critical role of human interaction in high-stakes testing. This workshop will explore how integrating real human examiners and support staff directly impacts the student experience, fostering resilience and promoting equitable outcomes for all, including LGBTIQA+, non-binary and neurodiverse students.

Educator as Leader: Shaping the Future of Learning in an AI World

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of knowledge, creativity, and communication—challenging educators to ask not just how we teach, but why. When students can generate essays, ideas, or even code in seconds, what becomes the true value of education? What role will educators play? In this future-focused keynote, award-winning education and technology leader Alan Kan explores how educators and academic leaders can confidently guide learning in an AI-powered world. More than just a tech shift, AI presents an opportunity to redesign the very heart of education—how we teach, how we assess, and how we prepare learners for a rapidly evolving future.

Finding our way back: a story of culture and commitment

I’m not an expert in biculturalism. I’m not well spoken in te reo Māori, or even my own mother tongue, German. But I’ve had the privilege of being part of a powerful cultural journey. This presentation shares the journey of Skills Active Aotearoa - an organisation that began its bicultural path over 30 years ago, and nearly lost it. In the lead-up to the 2019 reform, we got caught in the noise. System change. Pressure. Survival. Somewhere in all that, our identity slipped. By the time we set up Te Mahi Ako in 2022, we had made a commitment to return to what mattered. We started a journey - creating new roles, growing our internal cultural capability, and backing our people to lead. It was honest and hard at times. But the shift was real.

Networking and ITENZ Awards function

Arrival and Networking

Reflections of Day 1

Featured Session Hon Penny Simmonds

Morning Tea

From Research to Real-World Impact: Strengthening Vocational Education Through People-Centred Tools

This workshop will take participants inside the creation and future of two national sector tools the Training Advisor Competency and Capability Framework and the Provider-Based Kaiako Onboarding Toolkit. Born from in-depth research with Training Advisors, Kaiako, employers, and learners, these tools are built for the people who guide vocational learners every day. We’ll explore the voices and experiences that shaped the design, share practical examples of how they can be embedded in real-world contexts, and discuss their role in lifting capability, consistency, and learner success across Aotearoa. With ConCOVE winding up at the end of 2025, ITENZ will take stewardship of these tools, ensuring they remain relevant, accessible, and sector owned. Together, we’ll identify what’s next for providers, employers, and industry to keep this momentum alive. This is a collaborative session you’ll leave with new insights, practical ideas, and the opportunity to shape how these resources can serve our sector into the future.

How NZ PTEs Are Using AI to revolutionise Assessments and Study Guides

New Zealand’s Private Training Establishments (PTEs) face increasing demands: staying audit-ready, delivering industry-relevant learning, and meeting the expectations of today’s diverse learners — all within the rigorous framework of NZQA standards. This session will showcase real-world applications of AI already in use across Aotearoa’s education sector. We’ll share tangible examples of how forward-thinking PTEs are integrating artificial intelligence to reduce administrative burden, accelerate resource development, and improve learner outcomes - while honouring cultural values and integrity. This isn’t about future possibilities - it’s a current movement, driven by the sector’s most innovative providers. You’ll leave with actionable insights and field-tested learnings from AI-powered solutions in everyday use case.

The Impact of Trauma on Learning: Leading with Care in Complex Times | Ko te Pānga Pāmamae ki te Ako: Te Arataki me te Atawhai I nga wa Matatini

Drawing on twelve years of experience as an educator across three Christchurch prisons, Ako Aotearoa Southern Manager, Jennifer Leahy shares the insights and lessons she gained from working within these unique and challenging learning environments. In the private training sector, adult learners bring diverse life experiences into complex, rapidly changing environments. Many have experienced trauma through disrupted education, systemic barriers, or personal adversity which can significantly impact their ability to engage, learn, and succeed. This interactive workshop, The Impact of Trauma on Learning, explores how trauma-informed practice can improve learner outcomes by fostering safe, inclusive, and responsive environments. As providers navigate shifting learner needs, regulatory reforms, and workforce demands, both educators and leaders need to be equipped to respond holistically.

Tangata tākaro, tangata oranga ngākau; Weaving People and Play: Gamified Digital Assessment for Māori and Diverse Learners in Vocational Education

In an era of constant change, vocational providers must deliver assessment experiences that are both engaging and future‑focused. This session showcases Sub‑Project B of Fruition Horticulture’s Digitalisation Project—Gamified Assessment for Māori, by Māori—which reimagines assessment as an interactive digital journey grounded in indigenous pedagogy. The project replaces static worksheets with scenario‑based challenges, quests, and micro‑credentials set in a virtual Hawke’s Bay orchard. Learners earn points, unlock badges, and progress through storylines that integrate literacy, numeracy, and horticultural skills. The design framework is anchored in whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (care), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) to ensure cultural relevance and real‑world transfer.

AI is the biggest equity move we can make in our generation

New Zealand's education landscape presents unique challenges: inconsistent teaching approaches, achievement gaps across ethnicities and socioeconomic groups, limited access to specialized teachers, and barriers for immigrant families. But today, I'm here with a message of hope – AI offers unprecedented opportunities to address these challenges head-on. AI is transforming how educators plan lessons, generating high-quality content tailored to diverse learner needs. It enables differentiation at scale, creating personalised learning experiences and assessments that meet students where they are. Through data analysis, AI helps identify patterns in student achievement, allowing for targeted interventions before students fall behind. For immigrant families, AI-powered translation breaks down communication barriers, ensuring all parents can meaningfully participate in their children's education. These technologies democratise access to world-class education resources, regardless of location or school resources. A student in remote Northland can access the same quality of educational support as one in central Auckland. The promise is real, but realizing it requires action from everyone in this room. As ITENZ leaders and educators, you stand at a critical junction. The tools evolving today will shape tomorrow's educational landscape. I urge you to dive into AI exploration – experiment, learn, and grow alongside your students. By embracing AI with intentionality and purpose, we can create an education system where every student thrives, regardless of background. Today, you'll experience practical, hands-on demonstrations of tools and applications that are working right now in classrooms across the country. You'll return to your institutions with your kete full of things to try immediately. The technology alone isn't the answer – it's how we as educators harness it with wisdom and care that will make the difference. Together, let's build a more equitable educational future for all New Zealanders.

From Static to Living: Addressing Non-Compliance Risks in Quality Management Systems

In today’s complex and rapidly changing vocational education environment, compliance is more than a regulatory requirement—it is a cornerstone of organisational resilience and learner success. However, many organisations rely on static Quality Management Systems (QMS) that focus on documentation rather than dynamic processes. This static approach often creates blind spots for non-compliance, increases operational risks, and limits the ability to adapt to sector changes. This presentation will explore how transitioning from static to living QMS frameworks can mitigate non-compliance risks, improve organisational resilience, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

System Change Leadership: A ConCOVE Tūhura Legacy Framework

As ConCOVE Tūhura nears the end of its funding in 2025, this paper offers a legacy contribution: a system change leadership framework for the vocational education and training (VET) ecosystem within construction and infrastructure. ConCOVE was established in 2020 as one of Aotearoa’s first Centres of Vocational Excellence, with a mandate to connect, innovate, and co-create solutions to persistent and emerging workforce challenges. Drawing on over 30 research and innovation projects—ranging from apprenticeship design to neurodiversity, equity, and sustainability—this framework distils systems change insights into five interrelated leadership domains: systems literacy, equity and participation, adaptive culture, intergenerational thinking, and distributed innovation. These domains are grounded in established systems literature, including Meadows’ Leverage Points, FSG’s Water of Systems Change, and Heifetz’s Adaptive Leadership.

Immigration NZ update covering student visa processing; policy and system changes

Immigration NZ Update covering student visa processing; policy and system changes; issues, and possibly some key principles for providers to consider around risk.

Lunch

Why International Education is good for New Zealand

Snack Time

Featured Session Tim Fowler - TEC

Draw Winner of the passport game, Conference conclusion