A unified system for all vocational education: Reform of vocational education

The world of work is changing significantly, and how New Zealanders learn needs to adapt to stay ahead of these changes. Experts estimate around one-third of jobs in New Zealand will be significantly affected by automation. Today people over the age of 65 are three times more likely to have jobs than in 2001. The trends driving the future of work will change the skills needed in all jobs, see people changing jobs and careers more frequently over the course of their working lives, and see people working beyond the traditional retirement age. People with no or lower level qualifications are most likely to see their jobs become increasingly automated, and many may find it difficult to adapt to new jobs and new technologies. Workers will need to either upskill to do new aspects of a job, or reskill to adapt to technological change or to new fields.