Catching the lost students

New Zealand’s education system is undergoing a shift, with the government redirecting funding from fees-free university tuition toward vocational education and trades training. Currently, only three in ten school leavers attend university, while careers in skilled trades—such as plumbing or construction—offer comparable long-term earnings and job security, including resistance to automation. Experts welcome the policy change, emphasizing the need for clearer pathways beyond university. Josh Williams, principal consultant at the Skills Development Group and former Ministry of Education policy manager, argues that the current system pigeonholes students into university or non-university tracks, ignoring alternative opportunities. His organization’s *Multiple Pathways to Success* report highlights the lack of prestige and equitable recognition for vocational qualifications, despite efforts like the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) to broaden learning options. Williams criticizes the dominance of university entrance as the primary school goal, noting that NCEA’s flexibility was underutilized due to an assessment system still aligned with traditional academic pathways. He points to successful programs like *Gateway*, which connects students with workplace experiences, but says only 15% of Year 11–13 students participate. A proposed curriculum overhaul aims to better integrate industry-led subjects, fostering stronger school-workplace links. Dr. Michael Johnston, a senior fellow at the New Zealand Initiative, supports industry-led education reforms in his report *Working Knowledge*. He advocates for curriculum changes that embed real-world skills, ensuring students gain practical experience alongside academic learning. Both experts stress that all education pathways should be valued equally, with policies reflecting the diverse needs of the workforce.