MITO

What MITO does

MITO (MITO Limited) is a New Zealand industry training organisation (ITO) that delivers vocational education and apprenticeship programmes for the automotive, commercial road transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Wellington with a field team distributed nationwide, MITO transitioned from a business division of Te Pūkenga to an industry-owned entity on 1 January 2026, with seven sector associations (NZ Trucking Association, MTA, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ, Collision Repair Association, NZ Heavy Haulage Association, MinEx, Log Transport Safety Council) serving as shareholders.

The organisation's product portfolio comprises NZQA-approved qualifications at Levels 3-5 spanning automotive collision repair, refinishing, electrical engineering, and heavy automotive/plant and equipment; micro-credentials for secondary school students (StartUp®, ShiftUp®, RockUp®, Waka Tohu Tuatahi) that create a feeder pipeline into apprenticeships; and business skills qualifications such as First Line Management and a NZ Diploma in Business delivered with Careerforce. Supporting platforms include the MITO Online Portal (an eLearning management system providing study guides, videos, interactive simulations, assessments, and real-time progress reporting), the MITO Job Hub (a free employment marketplace), and the MITO Industry Summit and Awards. Curriculum is co-developed with industry partners such as I-CAR New Zealand to align with current workshop practices.

MITO operates a hybrid revenue model combining Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) government funding, per-learner programme fees ranging from $200+GST for school micro-credentials to $600-$1,200 for Level 3-5 qualifications, freemium entry micro-credentials, and scholarship partnerships (notably the Inspiring Futures Foundation distributing 182 scholarships in 2026 and 100 Matariki Scholarships). Distribution is primarily direct-to-employer via Training Advisors and to secondary schools via Vocational Careers Advisors, supported by ambassadors including rally drivers Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour, an industry events calendar, and digital channels (website, social media, eNewsletter, video series).

Name

MITO

Legal name

MITO Limited

Website

https://mito.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MITO is a New Zealand industry-owned training organisation delivering NZQA-approved apprenticeships and micro-credentials across automotive, transport, extractives, gas, and logistics industries, serving employers, learners, and secondary schools nationwide since 1970.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Manufacturing (EDABALAP)

Keywords

• Vocational training programmes
• Industry apprenticeship services
• Automotive collision repair training
• Workplace eLearning platforms
• Secondary school trades programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training: MITO receives government funding through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to support vocational education and training across automotive, transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. Training is provided to apprentices and learners with employer support.
2. Programme Fees: MITO charges training fees for various programmes including Collision Repair Level 5 ($600), Automotive Electrical Engineering Level 5 ($682), First Line Management ($1,189), and other qualifications. Some programmes are free (Introduction to Automotive Engineering). Scholarships are available to support learners.
3. School Programme Fees: Secondary school programmes such as StartUp charge $200+GST per student per year, covering eLearning theory, practical assessment, and support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MITO delivers NZQA-approved apprenticeships and workplace training programmes across the automotive, commercial road transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. Training combines on-the-job learning at employer sites with structured eLearning delivered through the MITO Online Portal, supported by Training Advisors and complemented by the MITO Job Hub job-matching service. Programmes span secondary school micro-credentials through to advanced technician qualifications at Levels 3, 4, and 5.

Product overview

MITO (MITO Limited) is a New Zealand industry training organization offering vocational education and apprenticeship programmes across automotive, commercial road transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. The portfolio consists of: NZQA-approved qualifications at Levels 3-5 in automotive specializations (collision repair, refinishing, electrical engineering, heavy automotive/plant equipment); micro-credential programmes for secondary school students (StartUp®, ShiftUp®, RockUp®, Waka Tohu Tuatahi); business skills qualifications (First Line Management Level 4); and complementary platforms including the Job Hub employment portal and MITO Connect employer-student events. Secondary school micro-credentials feed into apprenticeship pathways, while qualifications progress from entry-level through advanced technical and leadership levels. The organization operates as a 'by industry, for industry' training model with full national coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• StartUp®: Secondary school programme offering micro-credentials in automotive for Year 11-13 students
• ShiftUp®
• RockUp®
• Waka Tohu Tuatahi

Products and services

• StartUp® Ignition (Level 2) and StartUp® Accelerate (Level 3) Secondary school micro-credential programme introducing students to automotive trades, providing NCEA-recognised credits and a pathway into automotive apprenticeships. For senior secondary students and schools seeking trades exposure.
• ShiftUp® (Level 2) Secondary school micro-credential programme providing students with exposure to the commercial road transport industry and NCEA-aligned credits at Level 2.
• RockUp® (Level 2) Secondary school micro-credential programme providing students with exposure to the extractives (mining and quarrying) industry and NCEA-aligned Level 2 credits.
• Waka Tohu Tuatahi Secondary school automotive programme designed to engage Māori and Pacific learners in automotive trades career pathways through culturally relevant content and micro-credentials.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Collision Repair (Level 3) NZQA-approved apprenticeship qualification at Level 3 covering foundational automotive collision repair skills. For apprentices and employers in the automotive collision repair sector.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Collision Repair (Non-Structural) (Level 4) NZQA-approved Level 4 apprenticeship qualification covering non-structural collision repair techniques for automotive technicians.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Collision Repair (Structural Repair) (Level 4) NZQA-approved Level 4 apprenticeship qualification covering structural repair techniques for automotive collision repair technicians.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Collision Repair (Advanced Industry Specialist) (Level 5) NZQA-approved Level 5 advanced apprenticeship qualification for collision repair industry specialists seeking senior technical roles.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Refinishing (Level 3) NZQA-approved Level 3 apprenticeship qualification covering foundational automotive refinishing (paint) skills.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Refinishing (Level 4) NZQA-approved Level 4 apprenticeship qualification covering advanced automotive refinishing (paint) skills for technicians.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Refinishing (Level 3 and 4) Combined NZQA-approved Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeship qualification package delivering the full automotive refinishing technician pathway.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 3 and 4) Combined NZQA-approved Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeship qualification covering automotive electrical engineering for technicians.
• NZ Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 5) NZQA-approved Level 5 advanced apprenticeship qualification for senior automotive electrical engineering technicians.
• NZ Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering — Plant and Equipment (Level 3 and 4) Combined NZQA-approved Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeship qualification for technicians working on heavy automotive plant and equipment.
• NZ Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) NZQA-approved Level 4 qualification in first line management supporting industry team leaders and supervisors.
• Introduction to Automotive Engineering (free micro-credential) Free introductory micro-credential providing foundational exposure to automotive engineering concepts for prospective learners and schools.
• Customer Service Essentials (free micro-credential) Free micro-credential covering customer service fundamentals applicable across MITO's service industry verticals.
• MITO Job Hub Free online job matching platform connecting jobseekers with employers in the automotive, transport, and extractive industries.
• MITO Scholarships programme Scholarship programme providing financial support and resources to MITO apprentices across the automotive, transport, extractives, drilling, and gas industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 secondary school students participated in automotive industry bus tours in 2025 across 16 tours
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• I-CAR New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026I-CAR New Zealand provided guidance and industry expertise during the development of MITO's updated suite of collision repair and refinishing programmes. Rick Lunn, Operations Manager at I-CAR New Zealand, contributed to ensuring programmes were industry relevant and aligned with real workshop practices.
• Industry Shareholding AssociationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026MITO returned to industry ownership on 1 January 2026 with industry associations as shareholders. Shareholding associations include NZ Trucking Association, MTA (Motor Trade Association), Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ, Collision Repair Association, NZ Heavy Haulage Association, MinEx, and Log Transport Safety Council. These associations drive industry-led vocational education and training.
• Inspiring Futures Foundation (IFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026MITO partners with the Inspiring Futures Foundation annually to deliver a comprehensive scholarship programme supporting learners across automotive, transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. The partnership provides various scholarship types including Business Skills, Advanced Technical, Electric Vehicle, KickStart, and targeted scholarships for Māori, Pacific Peoples, and women learners. In 2026, 182 individuals were awarded scholarships through this partnership.
• EVolocitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025MITO sponsors EVolocity, an initiative that gives secondary school students across Aotearoa New Zealand the opportunity to design, build, and race their own electric vehicles. MITO Ambassadors Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour participate in EVolocity events. The partnership supports career pathway awareness in automotive and transport industries.
• CareerforcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMITO has partnered with Careerforce to offer the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) Level 5 programme. This partnership extends work-based learning leadership development to automotive and logistics industries, with Careerforce providing leadership coaches to support learners through their qualification.
• Secondary SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMITO partners with secondary schools throughout New Zealand to deliver StartUp micro-credentials through the Gateway Programme, funded by TEC. Schools serve as delivery partners, providing facilities and student enrolment while MITO provides curriculum, eLearning resources, and workplace placement coordination.
• Collision Repair Association (CRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMITO sponsors the CRA Apprentice of the Year Awards, including the Golden Gun Award (refinishing) and Golden Hammer Award (collision repair). The CRA represents collision repair businesses and works with MITO on industry training standards and recognition.
• MITO Ambassadors (Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMITO Ambassadors Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour are New Zealand rally legends who support MITO events, inspire future workers, and provide opportunities such as joining their rally crew. They participate in MITO Hot Seat events and promote careers in automotive and transport industries.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Competenz: New Zealand industry training organisation covering engineering, manufacturing, and forestry sectors with the same work-based apprenticeship and NZQA-qualification model. Directly comparable as another NZ ITO operating under similar TEC funding and industry-shareholder governance structures.
• BCITO: New Zealand's Building and Construction ITO, delivering apprenticeships and NZQA qualifications through employer-led on-the-job training. Closely mirrors MITO's apprenticeship delivery model and target employer segments (SMEs hiring apprentices).
• Careerforce: NZ ITO for the health, disability, aged-care, and social services workforce. Directly comparable ITO model and also an explicit MITO partner for the NZ Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) Level 5.
• Connexis: NZ ITO for the infrastructure, civil, energy, and water industries. Operates the same industry-owned, work-based apprenticeship model that MITO uses for transport, extractives, and gas — making it a near-twin peer in structure and delivery.
• The Skills Organisation: Formerly ServiceIQ, this NZ ITO delivers work-based training and qualifications across service sectors using a similar industry-shareholder and apprenticeship model to MITO.
• Primary Industry Training Organisation (Primary ITO): NZ ITO delivering apprenticeships and qualifications across agriculture, horticulture, and primary sector trades. Comparable as a sector-specific ITO with on-job learning, eLearning portal, and NZQA credentials for rural and trade-based industries.

Regional players

• TAFE NSW: Australia's largest vocational education provider, offering automotive, transport, and trades apprenticeships with a comparable blended on-the-job and classroom model. Relevant cross-Tasman benchmark for MITO's training delivery and funding model.
• Motor Trade Association (MTA) New Zealand: Industry association that is both an MITO shareholder and a wider automotive industry representative body. Comparable as a peer in shaping automotive training standards and employer engagement across New Zealand workshops and dealerships.

Emerging players

• EVolocity: NZ STEM education programme (sponsored by MITO) in which secondary students design, build, and race electric vehicles. Adjacent emerging player in the same EV-talent pipeline MITO is cultivating.

Broad incumbents

• Te Pūkenga: New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology — the national network of which MITO was a business division until 1 January 2026. Operates as a broad incumbent in vocational education across all of MITO's industries, now overlapping as a peer following MITO's exit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mitonz
• Facebookfacebook.com/MITONewZealand
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mitotepukenga
• Instagraminstagram.com/mito.nz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 MITO