Employers
Supporting employers to build skilled, job-ready apprentices
Why EarnLearn

You keep the business moving. We keep training moving.

Partner with EarnLearn to develop skilled, work-ready people who add value from day one. We make training and assessment simple, compliant, and aligned to your business needs. EarnLearn works alongside employers across New Zealand to grow capability on the job, with a clear structure that fits around real workloads

Stronger capability, less admin

You get a clear, structured training and assessment pathway that integrates seamlessly into day-to-day operations. EarnLearn manages the training framework, assessment tools, evidence requirements, moderation, and NZQA reporting behind the scenes.

This removes complexity and reduces administrative load, while ensuring training remains compliant, consistent, and outcome-focused. Your supervisors spend less time managing paperwork and more time supporting people on the job.

How it works →

Reliable talent pipeline

Develop capability from within your business by growing people who already understand your systems, customers, and workplace expectations. EarnLearn supports progression from entry-level through to qualified tradesperson, creating continuity and reducing reliance on external recruitment.

Learners gain confidence through real work, supported by structured milestones that help them build competence faster and more consistently.

Find an apprentice →

Skills aligned to industry and NZQA standards

All programmes are built around recognised New Zealand qualifications and industry standards. Assessment is consistent, moderated, and quality-assured, giving you confidence that skills are transferable, recognised, and future-proof.

This alignment reduces risk, supports licensing and regulatory requirements where applicable, and ensures your workforce is developing skills that meet both current and emerging industry expectations.

Explore our qualifications →
Talk to us →

Improved productivity and retention

Structured development pathways give employees clarity around expectations, progress, and next steps. When people can clearly see how their skills are developing and where their career is heading, engagement increases and turnover decreases.

Employers and supervisors can easily track progress through MyPortal, EarnLearn’s online platform. MyPortal provides a clear view of completed tasks, upcoming requirements, and overall progression, removing the need to chase updates or manage training manually. This visibility helps managers support development at the right time, without disrupting day-to-day operations.

EarnLearn programmes are designed to build capability while maintaining productivity. Training is embedded into real work, and progress tracking through MyPortal keeps everyone aligned, so development supports performance rather than pulling people away from it.

MyPortal →

Support with compliance

EarnLearn helps employers navigate training, assessment, and compliance requirements with confidence. Our assessors and quality assurance team ensure assessments meet regulatory and industry standards, and that evidence is collected and reported correctly.

Where licensing or external requirements apply, we guide employers and learners through the process so nothing is missed.

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HOW IT WORKS

How partnering with EarnLearn works

Apprenticeships work by combining everyday work with structured training and assessment. Skills are developed on the job, with progress tracked against clear requirements and milestones.

01

You hire or select the employee

You choose the right person through your normal recruitment process. This can be a new hire or someone already on your team.

02

We confirm the best training pathway

We review the role, existing experience, and the scope of work available in your business, then match the learner to the right programme.

03

Enrolment and learning plan

We manage enrolment and provide a learning plan that outlines what needs to be completed, and how it will be delivered (workplace, block course, or a mix).

04

On-job learning with ongoing support

Your employee completes real workplace tasks while EarnLearn provides guidance, progress check-ins, and support for your supervisor/verifier.

03

Assessment, reporting, completion

EarnLearn manages assessment and moderation, then reports credits to NZQA. When complete, your employee achieves a recognised New Zealand qualification.

Training built around real work

training delivery

How training is delivered

Most EarnLearn programmes blend:

Workplace modules

Workplace modules (practical evidence from real jobs, supported by online learning where relevant)

Block course or workplace options

Block course or workplace options for certain modules, depending on what your business can cover

Health and safety requirements

Health and safety requirements, typically completed early in the programme where applicable

External exams

External exams in some trades, with EarnLearn covering the first attempt in relevant programmes (where stated)

EMPLOYER EXPERIENCE

Support that delivers

For Arc Automation and Security, EarnLearn has been a trusted training partner for over three years, providing practical, flexible support that fits around real work demands and keeps apprentices progressing.

What stood out:

Proactive, reliable support that reduces employer admin

Flexible engagement that works around field schedules

Consistent progress and strong apprentice retention

Read employer story →
Plumbing apprentice in hi-vis vest and hard hat standing confidently with arms crossed at a building site.
6,000+ apprentices trained on the job Thousands of NZ employers partnered NZ-wide employer support & compliance 6,000+ apprentices trained on the job Thousands of NZ employers partnered NZ-wide employer support & compliance
Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your questions

Pick the pathway that matches what you need right now. Whether you’re hiring, training, or starting out, we’ll help you move forward with clarity and support.

As an employer, your primary role is to provide a safe workplace, meaningful tasks, and appropriate supervision so the learner can develop real, job-ready skills. You continue to manage employment, pay, and day-to-day work, while EarnLearn manages the training framework, assessment requirements, moderation, and NZQA reporting.

We support your supervisors and verifiers with clear guidance, tools, and expectations so training fits naturally into your existing workflows, without adding unnecessary complexity.

Understand employer responsibilities →

Training is designed to align with normal work activities, not sit on top of them. Most learning and assessment evidence comes from real jobs your employee is already completing. EarnLearn provides structured plans and timelines so supervisors know what to look for and when.

A short, regular check-in (often 15–30 minutes per week or fortnight) is usually enough to keep progress on track. Where block courses or off-job training are required, EarnLearn will clearly outline time commitments in advance.

See our courses →

EarnLearn provides hands-on support for supervisors, including clear assessment guidance, verification tools, and access to our Account Management team. We help supervisors understand what evidence is required, how to confirm competence, and how to support learners without needing to be training experts.

If questions arise, EarnLearn steps in to provide clarification, adjust plans, or support progress, ensuring supervisors are not left to manage training alone.

EarnLearn acts as a training partner for employers, reducing the administrative and compliance burden that often comes with apprenticeships and workplace training. We help set up training pathways, manage learner progress, coordinate assessments, and provide reporting and guidance throughout the programme.

Employers receive visibility over progress, clear communication, and support navigating training requirements. Our approach is designed to fit around business operations, ensuring training supports productivity rather than disrupting it. We also provide guidance when learners need additional support or when workplace circumstances change.

Employers FAQs →
Wellbeing Support →
Learning Support →

All EarnLearn programmes are aligned with recognised New Zealand qualifications and NZQA requirements. Assessment is completed or overseen by registered assessors, supported by moderation and quality assurance processes to ensure consistency and compliance.

We manage all NZQA reporting and documentation, reducing compliance risk for employers. Where licensing or industry-specific requirements apply, EarnLearn guides both employers and learners through the correct process.

If progress slows or challenges arise, EarnLearn works proactively with the employer and learner to identify solutions. This may include adjusting the training plan, providing additional learning support, or increasing check-ins to rebuild momentum.

Learners also have access to confidential wellbeing support services, and employers are kept informed where appropriate. Our goal is to support completion while maintaining workplace performance and wellbeing.

Learning Support →
Find an Account Manager →

Getting started is simple. Once you have hired a new employee or identified an existing team member to develop, EarnLearn will review the role, confirm the best training pathway, and manage enrolment and setup.

From there, we create a training plan tailored to your business and support you throughout the programme, from onboarding through to qualification completion.

Partner with EarnLearn →
Hire an apprentice →
TRADES WE OFFER

EarnLearn Trades

Find the support that fits you, whether you’re training on the tools or building a capable team.

Cranes

Safe, structured training for crane operators working in high-risk, high-responsibility environments.

Cranes

Electrical

Practical, on-the-job electrical training aligned to real work and NZQA standards.

Electrical
Industrial Measurement & Control

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying

Workplace-led training that builds capability across plumbing, gas, and drainage systems.

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying

Gateway & other pathways

A supported pathway for students to gain real workplace experience while still at school.

Gateaway
Electrical RCC

Helping
trainees succeed

Employer readiness

Am I ready to take on an apprentice?

Answer 7 quick questions to see whether your business is ready to support an apprentice and what support EarnLearn can provide to make it work.

  • Understand what employers are responsible for day to day
  • Check whether you have the right work, supervision, and capacity
  • See what EarnLearn manages behind the scenes (assessment, moderation, NZQA reporting)
Do you have consistent, real work suitable for an apprentice?
Is there someone available to supervise and support an apprentice?
Are you prepared for the extra time apprentices need early on?
Are health, safety, and site rules clearly established?
Are you open to developing someone over 2–4 years?
How do you feel about training admin and paperwork?
Would external support help you succeed as an apprentice employer?
Your result

Result

    Employer support overview Book a 15-min employer chat
    GET In touch

    Do you have any questions about employing an apprentice?

    Whether you are taking on your first apprentice or already supporting one, we help make the process clear, compliant, and easy to manage by confirming the right training pathway, explaining what is required at each stage, and supporting progress from onboarding through to completion without adding unnecessary admin to your workload.

    Confirm the right apprenticeship pathway and realistic timeframes

    Understand training, assessment, and employer responsibilities

    Put a clear plan in place so progress stays on track

    Send an enquiry

    Share a few details and we will point you to the right next step.

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    Get in touch

    Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm: 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT)

    support@earnlearn.ac.nz

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