What Skills Consulting Group does

Skills Consulting Group operates the Skills Group, New Zealand's largest private training establishment (PTE), delivering vocational and specialist trades training to more than 23,000 learners annually across 17 campuses and offices nationwide. The parent entity, The Skills Organisation Incorporated, is a New Zealand-registered charitable trust that operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries including Skills Consulting Group Ltd and Skills Group Training Ltd. The business is organized into four operating pillars: Skills Institute (vocational training across healthcare, hospitality, business, primary industries, hair and nails, police/defence and real estate, launched August 2025 by consolidating Skills Ignite and Skills Premier), Skills Trades Training (specialist electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, roofing and electrotechnology training across 11 campuses, launched December 2025 by consolidating Etco, E-tec and ICE), Skills Development Group (corporate and business capability training delivered internationally and in NZ), and CDL Insight (career transition coaching). The group also maintains Skills Group Employment, which runs the Group Employment Scheme separate from training delivery. Qualifications are issued by Skills Group Training Limited under NZQA accreditation.

Revenue is generated through five main streams: (i) vocational tuition fees from individual domestic and international learners enrolled in NZQA-accredited programmes, some eligible for government 'Fees Free' funding; (ii) Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding for eligible programmes, with a dedicated Director of PTE Sales focused on deepening the TEC partnership; (iii) corporate training and workforce development revenue via Skills Development Group serving large corporates, SMEs, industry bodies and government agencies; (iv) apprenticeship off-job training delivered to employed apprentices via Skills Trades Training; and (v) short courses and micro-credentials for CPD/upskilling of qualified tradespeople, including EWRB-endorsed solar PV and battery storage micro-credentials required for licence endorsement from 1 September 2025. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales (Skills Development Group), self-serve online/on-campus enrolment for individuals, employer-supported apprenticeship off-job training, and government-funded vocational delivery. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Underlying technology includes the Learning Hive LMS (skillsgrouplms.scgnz.org), a WordPress-based public website, purpose-built training infrastructure such as the NZ$4.5 million, 3,300 sqm Highbrook campus with custom-designed U-shaped workshop benches, and three NZQA-registered solar micro-credentials licensed from Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) and endorsed by SEANZ.

Name

Skills Consulting Group

Legal name

Skills Consulting Group Ltd

Website

https://skills-group.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Skills Consulting Group operates Skills Group, New Zealand's largest private training establishment, delivering vocational and specialist trades training to 23,000+ learners annually across 17 campuses and offices, plus corporate capability training internationally through Skills Development Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning, Training & Corporate Education Consulting (BPAHAGAE), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Human Resources & Talent (EDAAAPAM), Sales, Customer Service & Soft Skills Training (BPACANAD), Remote/Hybrid Work Effectiveness (EDABAMAO)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Trades training programs
• Corporate workforce development
• Private training establishment
• Apprenticeship off-job training

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational tuition fees (individual learners): Tuition revenue from domestic and international learners enrolled in NZQA-accredited programmes through Skills Institute and Skills Trades Training (pre-trade, apprenticeship, certificate and diploma courses). Fees vary by programme; some learners are eligible for 'Fees Free' funding through the New Zealand government.
2. Corporate training and workforce development (Skills Development Group): Revenue from corporate and business capability performance programmes — leadership, management, business agility and sales training — delivered internationally and in New Zealand to corporates, SME businesses, industry bodies and government agencies. Includes tailored short-form courses, skills development programmes and consultancy.
3. Government-funded vocational education (TEC funding): Funding from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for eligible vocational programmes; the Director of PTE Sales role specifically focuses on deepening the partnership with TEC to ensure every learner and programme delivers impact.
4. Apprenticeship off-job training for employed apprentices: Skills Trades Training delivers formal off-job training to independent apprentices already employed with employers; the brand consolidation separates training delivery from employment services, with Skills Group Employment continuing the Group Employment Scheme while Skills Trades Training focuses on training delivery.
5. Short courses and micro-credentials for upskilling tradespeople: Revenue from short courses, micro-credentials and bespoke commercial contracts for qualified tradespeople continuing professional development (e.g., E-tec's solar energy systems micro-credentials required for EWRB registration).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Skills Consulting Group, operating as part of Skills Group New Zealand, is a private training establishment that delivers NZQA-accredited vocational education, specialist trades training, and corporate workforce development programmes across New Zealand and internationally. Through sub-brands Skills Institute, Skills Trades Training (including E-tec), and Skills Development Group, it provides on-campus, online, and work-based qualifications and short courses in healthcare, hospitality, business, electrotechnology, construction trades, agriculture, and leadership/management, supporting more than 23,000 learners annually.

Product overview

Skills Group (parent: The Skills Organisation Incorporated, trading through subsidiaries including Skills Consulting Group Ltd and Skills Group Training Ltd) operates a platform-plus-brands architecture for vocational and workforce training in New Zealand and internationally. Its core delivery is split across two main pillars: Skills Institute, a unified vocational PTE formed in August 2025 by consolidating Skills Ignite and Skills Premier, which delivers NZQA-accredited training across healthcare, hospitality, business, hair and nails, primary industries, cookery, English and computer, police and defence, real estate and career foundations via on-campus, online, and work-based modes; and Skills Trades Training, a unified specialist trades PTE launched in December 2025 by consolidating Etco, E-tec and ICE, which delivers hands-on training across electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, roofing and electrotechnology from 11 campuses. Adjacent sub-brands include Skills Development Group (corporate learning — business agility, leadership, management, sales training delivered via skillsdg.com), CDL Insight (career transition coaching), and Skills Group Employment (Group Employment Scheme). Backbone systems include the Skills Group LMS branded 'Learning Hive' (skillsgrouplms.scgnz.org) and a WordPress-based public website. With over 30 years' experience, more than 23,000 learners annually, and 17 campuses and offices nationwide, Skills Group is New Zealand's largest private training establishment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Skills Institute: NZQA-accredited vocational training provider delivering practical training and qualifications across healthcare, hospitality, business and other in-demand sectors. Launched in August 2025 to consolidate Skills Ignite and Skills Premier.
• Skills Trades Training
• E-tec
• Skills Development Group
• CDL Insight

Products and services

• Skills Institute NZQA-accredited vocational Private Training Establishment delivering practical training and qualifications across healthcare, hospitality, business, hair and nails, primary industries, cookery, IT, police/defence preparation, real estate, and career foundations via on-campus, online, and work-based delivery modes.
• Skills Trades Training NZQA-accredited specialist trades training provider delivering hands-on training and qualifications across electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, roofing and electrotechnology for independent apprentices, employers, pre-trade learners, and qualified tradespeople.
• E-tec EWRB-approved training provider for New Zealand's electrotechnology and telecommunications industries; trains over 3,000 tradespeople annually through short courses, blended learning, bespoke commercial contracts, and EWRB-required solar PV/battery storage micro-credentials.
• Skills Development Group Corporate and business capability performance division of Skills Group operating internationally and in New Zealand; offers corporate training, skills development programmes, and short-form courses in Business Agility, Leadership, Management, and Sales Training for large corporates, SMEs, industry bodies and government agencies.
• CDL Insight Career transition and outplacement coaching service supporting individuals transitioning between roles, operated under Skills Group's corporate learning portfolio.
• AI for Project Management Course Corporate short course listed as a popular training course on Skills Group's homepage, hosted under Skills Development Group's corporate and business capability performance offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% course and qualification completions across the integrated Skills Group
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2025Co-host of the 19th New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum (NZVETRF), held 17–18 November 2025 at Te Papa, Wellington on the theme 'Rebuilding Together'. Combines New Zealand's largest private training establishment (Skills Group) with the largest apprenticeship provider (BCITO) to drive cross-sector collaboration and showcase latest industry research.
• Growing Future Farmers (GFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Co-developed a Level 4 agriculture training programme for young sheep and beef farmers, with first cohort set to begin as early as July 2025 pending NZQA approval. The programme uses a blended learning approach combining provider-based online tuition and academic support from Skills Group – Ignite with GFF's on-farm, workplace-integrated delivery model.
• Global Sustainable Energy Solutions International (GSES)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerE-tec licences training resources from GSES (an Australian specialist in renewable energy training and consultancy), modified for the New Zealand market and regularly updated, to deliver three NZQA-registered micro-credentials in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, grid-connected battery storage systems and stand-alone power systems.
• Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsed E-tec's solar micro-credential courses as a mark of quality for graduates entering the NZ market. The endorsement supports the courses' standing as a requirement for EWRB Mains Parallel Generation Systems licence endorsement from 1 September 2025.
• Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector of PTE Sales role is specifically focused on strengthening enrolment performance and deepening the partnership with the Tertiary Education Commission to ensure every learner and every programme delivers real impact. TEC is the NZ Government body that funds tertiary education.
• Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN)minorOthersGAN operates via 10 country networks including GAN New Zealand, and partners with multinationals such as L'Oréal, Bühler, Accenture, The Adecco Group, Microsoft and Nestlé. GAN's Executive Director Kathryn Rowan appeared as a keynote speaker at NZVETRF 2025. Skills Group is connected to GAN New Zealand as part of this network.
• SkyCityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the annual Tapas Competition held at Skills Ignite in Wiri, Auckland; Patrick Ikinofo (Executive Chef, SkyCity) also served as a judge on the panel.
• Dental and Medical Equipment (Dunedin)minorOthersEmployer partner hosting Skills Trades Training apprentice Nicola Bell in a Medical and Electrical Safety Testing (EST) apprenticeship; featured as a case study of career-changer outcomes.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• TAFE Queensland: Australian state-owned vocational education provider with multiple campuses offering trades, healthcare and vocational training. Comparable scale and programme mix to Skills Group, though operating in the Australian market.
• Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT): Auckland-based polytechnic offering vocational certificates and diplomas across trades, healthcare and business — directly overlapping with Skills Institute's South Auckland and Wiri catchment in vocational and pre-trade pathways.
• Upskilled (Australia): Australian RTO delivering online vocational and certificate-level training to working professionals — comparable business model to Skills Institute's online and blended learning programmes, but serving the Australian market.

Direct peers

• BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation): NZ's largest apprenticeship provider and direct competitor in trades training; co-hosts the NZVETRF forum with Skills Group. Both compete for apprentices, employer relationships, and TEC funding across overlapping trades.
• Competenz: NZ industry training organisation offering apprenticeship and vocational training across multiple trades including engineering, manufacturing, and plumbing. Di Lithgow (Skills Group's Director Specialist Trades) previously worked at Competenz, evidencing direct talent overlap and competitive proximity.
• Open Polytechnic of New Zealand: NZ's specialist distance and online learning tertiary provider; directly comparable to Skills Group's Learning Hive LMS-based blended delivery model for vocational learners across NZ. Both compete for online and work-based learners.

Emerging players

• Whitecliffe College: NZ private tertiary institution; Mark Worsop (Skills Group Director Vocational Training and Higher Education) was previously CEO of Whitecliffe. Comparable positioning as a private NZ tertiary provider competing for similar learner segments.

Broad incumbents

• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and execution training firm with established NZ presence. Closely comparable to Skills Development Group's leadership, management and business agility coaching offerings delivered to corporates and government agencies.
• Skillsoft: Global enterprise learning and corporate capability provider. Comparable to Skills Development Group's corporate leadership, management and sales training offering to large enterprise clients, though Skillsoft operates at much greater global scale.
• Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, disestablished 2024): NZ's former unified network of polytechnics and institutes of technology — the largest tertiary provider in NZ until its disestablishment. Di Lithgow previously worked at Te Pūkenga, and successor entities continue to compete directly with Skills Group for vocational learners and government funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/skillsinstitutenz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skillsinstitutenz
• Instagraminstagram.com/skillsinstitutenz

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries17 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 Skills Consulting Group