What BCITO does

BCITO (Building Construction Industry Training Organisation) is New Zealand's leading industry-owned provider of building and construction apprenticeships, operating a 30+ year programme that has produced more than 55,000 qualified trade professionals and currently supports 23,673+ active apprentices. The organisation manages apprenticeship pathways across more than 15 trades — including Carpentry, Brick & Block Laying, Frame & Truss, Painting & Decorating, Flooring, Resin Flooring, Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Interior Systems, Tiling, Joinery, Architectural Aluminium Joinery, Exterior Plastering, Stonemasonry, Concrete, and Glass & Glazing — each running 1-4 years and leading to nationally recognized New Zealand Certificates and Diplomas. BCITO delivers its programmes through a nationwide network of 23 regional offices (from Whangarei to Invercargill) backed by training advisors who visit employer worksites, with a Wellington head office at Level 5, 234 Wakefield Street.

Core technology centres on the myBCITO learning portal, built on Instructure's Canvas LMS, which provides apprentices, teachers, and job seekers with digital tools for enrolment, portfolio building, online assessment and progress tracking. Supporting tools include Pathways Awarua (literacy/numeracy modules), a C-pen assistive reading device, Edvance online courses, and a Direct Debit online payments system for qualification fees. Beyond core trade programmes, BCITO operates specialised sub-brands and programmes: BCITO Sports (athlete-to-trade pathways including the Crusaders Academy Apprentice Programme), Building Abilities (neurodiverse/disabled apprentices), Building Māori (Kahukura, Mana Whakatipu), Building Pasifika (3,000+ learners, multiple Pacific languages), Women in Trades (workshops, hub, and resources), Apprentice Leaders (16-trade leadership cohort), and Schools & Gateway (Trades Academies, driver-licence subsidies).

The business model combines recurring annual apprentice qualification fees ($964–$1,984 depending on trade and year, with optional $267–$283 strands) with revenue from optional extra services, employer-funded upskilling, supervisor/manager qualifications (Level 5), Train The Trainer workshops, and ancillary grants. Government funding flows through MSD's Apprenticeship Boost (paid to employers of apprentices under 12 months in) and IRD's Fees Free initiative, both of which BCITO administers and markets to its network. Customer segments are split primarily between individual apprentices (school leavers, career changers, athletes, women, Māori, Pasifika, neurodiverse learners) and construction SMB employers, with additional engagement through secondary schools (Gateway programmes) and sports clubs. Leadership is led by CEO Jason Hungerford alongside a CFO, three General Managers (Customer Engagement; Marketing & Growth; Education and Diversity Group), and a Group Manager for People & Culture. The company is privately held (BCITO Limited, NZ), operates 101-250 employees, and does not publicly disclose revenue.

Name

BCITO

Legal name

BCITO Limited

Website

https://bcito.org.nz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BCITO is New Zealand's leading building and construction apprenticeship provider, managing 15+ trade programmes for 23,673+ active apprentices nationwide. It serves school leavers, career changers, and construction SMB employers through 23 regional offices, government-funded pathways, and the myBCITO digital learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Apprenticeship Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Construction apprenticeships
• Vocational training
• Trade qualifications
• Work-based learning
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices28 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Apprentice Qualification Fees: BCITO charges annual fees for apprenticeship training and qualification programmes. Fees are divided between apprentice/employer/third party payer. First year fees range from $964 to $1,984 depending on trade, with subsequent years at $964. Additional charges apply for optional strands.
2. Government Funding - Fees Free: Government's Fees Free initiative supports the final stage of work-based learning. Eligible learners completing programmes in 2026 can apply for final-year Fees Free entitlement within 12 months of completion.
3. Apprenticeship Boost: Payment available through Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to support employers of apprentices who are less than 12 months into their apprenticeship, encouraging retention and new apprentice intake.
4. Scholarships and Grants: BCITO offers financial assistance including Building Leadership Grants, Tools Grants, Hardship Grants, Diversity Scholarships, and Outward Bound Scholarships funded through BCITO and partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

BCITO provides structured apprenticeship training programmes for more than 15 New Zealand building and construction trades, combining on-the-job workplace learning with block courses and theory delivered through the myBCITO learning platform. Apprentices earn nationally recognised New Zealand Certificates and Diplomas while employed, paying annual qualification fees, with employer development and specialised demographic programmes (women, Māori, Pasifika, neurodiverse learners, athletes) layered on top.

Product overview

BCITO (Building Construction Industry Training Organisation) is New Zealand's leading building and construction apprenticeship provider managing over 15 trade programmes for more than 23,000 active tradies. The core offering consists of 15 trade apprenticeships across areas including Carpentry, Brick & Block Laying, Frame & Truss, Painting & Decorating, Flooring, Resin Flooring, Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Interior Systems, Tiling, Joinery, Architectural Aluminium Joinery, Stonemasonry, Concrete, Exterior Plastering, and Glass & Glazing. These are supported by the myBCITO digital learning platform (built on Canvas LMS), the Know It All guidebook directory, and specialised programmes including BCITO Sports for athletes, Building Abilities for neurodiverse learners, Building Māori and Building Pasifika for targeted demographics, Women in Trades with workshops and toolkits, Apprentice Leaders for leadership development, and Schools/Gateway programmes for early engagement. Additional services include Train The Trainer workshops, Supervisor & Manager Qualifications, Scholarships & Grants, and comprehensive Learning Support Services. The company operates through 23 office locations across New Zealand with support from Wellington head office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BCITO Sports: A customised programme enabling athletes to build a long-term career in the trades while balancing their sporting commitments.
• Building Abilities
• Building Māori
• Building Pasifika
• Women in Trades

Products and services

• Carpentry Apprenticeship A 3–4 year Level 4 apprenticeship training carpenters to work with timber, concrete, steel and brick to construct buildings, delivered as a standalone work-based qualification for individual apprentices. First year fee $1,984, subsequent years $964.
• Brick & Block Laying Apprenticeship A 3–4 year apprenticeship training brick and block layers to create structural and decorative features using bricks, precut stone, and concrete blocks. First year fee $1,074, subsequent years $964.
• Frame & Truss Apprenticeship A 1–2 year Level 3 or Level 5 apprenticeship training timber structure manufacturers and detailers. First year fees $1,212–$1,418 depending on stream; optional strands $283 extra.
• Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship A 2–3 year apprenticeship training painters and decorators to apply finishes to interior and exterior surfaces. First year fee $964; optional strands (Wallcoverings, Specialised Spraying, Specialised Coatings) $283 each.
• Flooring Apprenticeship A 2–4 year apprenticeship training flooring specialists to install carpet, vinyl, resin, synthetic, and timber floor coverings. First year fees $964–$1,642 depending on specialisation.
• Resin Flooring Apprenticeship A 2–3 year apprenticeship training resin flooring specialists to apply protective surfaces in commercial buildings. First year fee $1,362; flow-applied and trowel-applied resin finishes strands included.
• Kitchen & Bathroom Design Apprenticeship A 2–3 year Level 5 diploma apprenticeship training designers in cabinet construction, ergonomics, and materials for kitchens and bathrooms. First year fee $1,757.
• Interior Systems Apprenticeship A 1–3 year apprenticeship covering plasterboard fixing, fibrous plastering, suspended ceiling and partition installation. First year fees $1,362–$1,418.
• Tiling Apprenticeship A 2–3 year apprenticeship training tilers to work with ceramics, stone, glass, marble, and terracotta. First year fee $1,301; subsequent years $984.
• Joinery Apprenticeship A 2–4 year apprenticeship training joiners to create cabinetry, kitchens, bathrooms, timber windows, doors and staircases. First year fees $1,362–$1,984.
• BCITO Sports Programme Customised programme helping athletes transition into construction trades careers by partnering with sports clubs across New Zealand (including the Crusaders Academy Apprentice Programme), providing career pathways, professional development, and apprenticeship opportunities for pro-athletes, club athletes, and school leavers.
• Building Abilities Programme Support programme for neurodiverse and disabled apprentices providing accessible learning resources, sign language interpreters, literacy support, and assessment assistance through a six focus-area Disability Action Plan.
• Building Māori Programme Initiative supporting Māori learners and apprentices in the construction industry with kaupapa Māori approaches, including the Kahukura first-year pastoral care programme and Mana Whakatipu Mana Tangata leadership development programme.
• Building Pasifika Programme Support initiative for Pasifika communities with 1 in 4 new apprentices identifying as Pasifika and 3,000+ Pasifika learners supported; programme materials available in multiple Pacific languages (Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Tokelauan).
• Women in Trades Programme Comprehensive support for women in trades including Women in Trade Workshops (300+ apprentices supported since 2024), Women in Trades Toolbox resources, Actions Speak Louder initiative with free period products and women-designed workwear, and dedicated hubs for apprentices and employers.
• Apprentice Leaders Programme A group of 16 apprentices representing each trade, selected for 18 months to share experiences and provide the apprentice voice on industry events and programmes; builds leadership skills through hands-on involvement.
• Schools & Gateway Programme Partnership with schools and education providers offering Gateway programmes, Trades Academies, and the myBCITO digital toolkit for students and teachers to start apprenticeships and track achievements; includes driver's licence fees covered for Gateway students.
• Train The Trainer Workshop Workshop for employers, supervisors and trainers covering communication, creating positive training environments, getting to know apprentices, and using BCITO's digital tools and printed guides.
• Scholarships & Grants Financial assistance including Diversity Scholarship, BCITO Tools Grant, Outward Bound Scholarships, Mana Wāhine Scholarship, and Building Leadership Grant for employers.
• Supervisor & Manager Qualifications Training opportunities including New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trades Supervision Level 5, micro-credentials for niche skills, and recognition of prior experience for industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,673+ active apprentices and tradies currently registered
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Floor NZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026BCITO partners with Floor NZ to hold the annual Flooring Industry Apprentice Awards, celebrating apprentices excelling in the flooring trade. This partnership recognizes exceptional talent and highlights the importance of training and apprenticeships in the flooring industry.
• Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2025Lee Park, tutor at Southern Institute of Technology, delivers the BCITO Joinery apprenticeship block course - a two-week programme that complements on-site apprenticeship learning. Apprentices spend half their time in real jobs and the other half in classroom broadening skills.
• Ara Institute of CanterburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO Christchurch office is located at Ara Institute of Canterbury campus, providing access to educational infrastructure for apprentice training and assessments.
• Waihanga Ara RaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaihanga Ara Rau is the Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council. Tertiary providers planning programmes linked to construction or infrastructure-related New Zealand Certificates or Diplomas must contact Waihanga Ara Rau.
• NorthtecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO Whangarei office is located at Northtec campus, supporting apprenticeship delivery in the Northland region.
• WIIT (Western Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO New Plymouth office is located at WIIT campus, supporting apprenticeship delivery in the Taranaki region.
• NMIT (Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO Blenheim office is located at NMIT campus, supporting apprenticeship delivery in the Marlborough region.
• SIT (Southern Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO Invercargill office is located at SIT campus, supporting apprenticeship delivery in the Southland region.
• Ara (Te Pūkenga)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO Timaru office is located at Ara (Te Pūkenga) campus, supporting apprenticeship delivery in South Canterbury.
• CrusaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO has partnered with the Crusaders to launch the Crusaders Academy Apprentice Programme, supporting young Academy athletes in Christchurch and Nelson to gain hands-on trade experience and build practical career pathways alongside their rugby development.
• Hagley Learning CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO refers Christchurch literacy and numeracy support needs to Hagley Learning Centre, experts providing kick-start group courses or 1:1 sessions.
• REAP AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO partners with REAP Aotearoa for drop-in support sessions in Kaitaia, Masterton, Blenheim, and Westport. Sessions hosted by local TA and REAP representative with free food provided.
• Waiheke Adult LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO provides Wednesday drop-in group study support sessions on Waiheke Island through Waiheke Adult Learning, covering specific topics and general support with free food.
• Deaf AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeaf Aotearoa delivers flexible services for the Deaf community, providing knowledge, information, resources and skills as part of BCITO's Building Abilities external support network.
• Altogether AutismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAltogether Autism provides free autism information and advice, personalised autism advice, annual Journal publication, and evidence-based information as part of BCITO's Building Abilities support.
• All if for All (Podcast)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCITO's Principal Advisor for Learners with Disabilities and Apprentice Leader Todd Maitland appeared on 'The Next Shift with BCITO' podcast hosted by All if for All, discussing neurodiversity in construction.
• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSD provides Apprenticeship Boost payments to support employers of apprentices who are less than 12 months into their apprenticeship, administered through BCITO.
• Inland Revenue Department (IRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRD administers the Fees Free initiative, which BCITO uses to support eligible learners with their final-year fees free entitlement.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Skills: One of New Zealand's largest ITOs, operating in printing, manufacturing, and primary processing sectors. Comparable to BCITO in operating model — industry-owned, apprenticeship-led, government-funded, with a network of training advisors.
• ServiceIQ: New Zealand ITO serving hospitality, retail, and aviation sectors. Comparable in business model (industry-owned training organisation, apprenticeship delivery, government subsidies) though operating in service rather than construction trades.
• Competenz: New Zealand ITO serving manufacturing, engineering, and food & beverage industries. Operates the same ITO business model with apprenticeships, government subsidies (Apprenticeship Boost/Fees Free), and WDC alignment — the closest structural peer even though industries differ.
• CITB Australia: Construction Industry Training Board serving the Australian building and construction industry. Operates the same industry-funded model focused on construction apprenticeships and skills development, providing a regional peer for BCITO's core focus area.
• PrimaryITO: New Zealand ITO covering agriculture, horticulture, and equine industries. Uses the same apprenticeship/workshop delivery model, government funding mechanisms, and WDC framework — a structural peer for the ITO model though applied to primary industries.
• Connexis: New Zealand Industry Training Organisation covering infrastructure, civil, and energy sectors. Direct peer as a fellow NZ ITO using the same work-based apprenticeship model and government funding framework, though focused on adjacent infrastructure trades rather than building.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board): UK statutory training board for the construction industry, funded by industry levy. The most directly comparable international peer — construction-specific training organisation with apprenticeship programmes, employer engagement, and qualification framework oversight.

Broad incumbents

• Waihanga Ara Rau: New Zealand's Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council. Sets qualification standards that BCITO programmes must align with and oversees the broader industry training ecosystem — a government/regulatory incumbent that shapes BCITO's operating environment.
• Te Pūkenga: New Zealand's national network of polytechnics and institutes of technology offering trade qualifications. A broader incumbent competing for the same apprentice/learner pool with campus-based alternatives to BCITO's work-based apprenticeship model.

Regional players

• National Construction College (UK): UK-based construction training provider delivering apprenticeships and short courses for the building trades. Operates a similar construction apprenticeship model but in the UK market, providing a regional/international peer for benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BCITO.org.nz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bcito
• Instagraminstagram.com/bcito
• Xx.com/bcito

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BCITO