Fund open
February 2025
The Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngamahi Anamata is now open for applications until March 16.
The basic criteria fundseekers need to meet includes: being from one of the eight specified industries; and having a project that supports innovation in workforce development through greater use of technology, collaboration across workforces, or that builds/improves service delivery.
Executive Officer Sue McCabe says it's also essential that initiatives have a large impact on the eight eligible workforces at a sector/industry level in the medium term.
“The fund will support Innovative ideas that seek to address a key workforce-wide issue or opportunity. Applicants need to demonstrate significant industry support that evidences the value of the proposed project. As well as larger scale initiatives, pilots to test innovations are also eligible,” Sue said.
It will fully fund projects for up to three years. Projects need to be completed within three years or have a firm plan for sustainability after that.
The fund will not support business as usual service delivery or training, or projects that benefit just one organisation or workplace.
Areas of priority are: projects that positively impact Māori; Pacific Peoples or Disabled Peoples in the workforce.
Given the fund’s intent, organisations who have assessed they are eligible after reading the guidance need to contact the fund to discuss their project before they can submit an application.
“This is intended to help organisations know whether to invest their time in making an application and to provide help, where appropriate, with application development.
“This is a new fund and it’s the fund’s first grant round. It will be a test of our systems and processes. We’ll be running a debrief immediately post the round’s closure to keep iterating the approach, prior to the second round opening in August 2025.
“We’d like to thank those who have supported the fund’s establishment to date and the many organisations and people who are working with us to ensure this funding makes a maximum difference to these workforces, which carry out critical work across New Zealand.”
Eligible organisations can apply up until March 16 via www.workforcefuturesfund.nz.
If you have assessed you are eligible, contact admin@workforcefuturesfund.nz to organise a time to chat.
To receive updates on the fund, sign up here.