Employer FAQ

Apprenticeship Boost provides support for employers to keep and take on new apprentices. It aims to help apprentices to earn and learn while training, so they become skilled practitioners in targeted occupations that are critical to New Zealand’s growth and sustainability.
‍

The Apprenticeship Boost is a payment available through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to support employers of apprentices in their first year of training in particular qualifications. Employers can receive up to 12 months of support. Payment is currently $500 per month for eligible apprentices.
‍

For more information visit  Apprenticeship Boost - Work and Income.

‍

Applications for reimbursement of training fees can only be submitted by learners, via the IRD, once they have completed an eligible qualification and a certificate has been issued.
‍

• The IRD will only reimburse learners directly – employers cannot claim the entitlement. We recommend that employers and learners agree on how fees will be paid before enrolling to enable a smooth reimbursement process

• Competenz no longer administers the Fees Free fund. Any queries about the fund should be directed to the IRD.

‍

No. Reimbursements for first-year Fees Free have ended.  
‍

Employers can no longer make a claim for a reimbursement for fees related to the first-year Fees free programme.
‍

If you submitted an eligible claim before the 31 December 2025 deadline, it will be processed
‍

For full details and the most up-to-date information, visit the Inland Revenue (IRD) website.
‍

‍

Download the Fees Free assessor spreadsheet template

For any questions about the Fees Free training reimbursement process, please email us.

‍

Download the Fees Free employer claim guide and declaration

Download the Fees Free claim spreadsheet template

For any questions about the Fees Free training reimbursement process, please email us.

‍

• Training costs paid to an external trainer for Fees Free eligible learners enrolled in a training agreement with Competenz.
• The training costs related to the achievement of unit standards required for the programme the specified learners are enrolled in.

Not sure if you are eligible to claim reimbursement? Use this form to find out.

‍

Employers can find information and claim forms here. Forestry employers and assessors can find their specific forms here. If you're unsure about your eligibility to claim reimbursement, use this form to check.

Download the Fees Free claim guide and declaration

Download the Fees Free claim spreadsheet template

For any questions about the Fees Free training reimbursement process, please email us.

‍

You are eligible to claim reimbursement of your provider’s invoice for a Competenz learner directly from us if:

• Your employee is enrolled in a Competenz training agreement and is eligible for Fees Free.
• Your provider invoices you for the training and assessing of an eligible learner and you pay their invoice directly.

Pricing varies depending on your industry and the apprenticeship/workforce development traineeship model selected.
‍

Call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz and we can arrange for someone to visit your workplace to discuss your training needs.
‍

Use this ROI calculator to view the approximate cost of an apprenticeship.
‍

‍

The first step is to call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz. We will arrange for someone to visit your workplace to discuss your training needs.

Competenz offers a free digital self-service job board which makes it easy to create and post your job advert with our step-by-step job ad builder, helping you reach the right candidates. Add link to website
‍

• Receive applications: When a candidate applies and grants permission, you will automatically be sent their application and CV.

• Interview  process: If you chose to take them forward to interview you'll have the option to provide feedback to help us maintain candidate quality.

• Onboarding  and training: Once you’ve found the right person, we’ll support you page in setting up a training plan to ensure your learner succeeds and meets your business goals.

• Browse available candidates: Need someone now? Check our Candidates page for profiles of learners actively seeking employment.

‍

‍

‍

‍

All customers who have a balance on their account with Competenz at the end of the month will receive a statement detailing any unpaid invoices.

Alternatively, please call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800.

Competenz prefers payment by Direct Credit deposit to our bank account.
‍

‍When making payment it is important that you include your Competenz Account Number as a reference – this is an eight character number beginning with ‘CC’ and can be found on your invoice or statement.

‍

Our bank account number is also shown on our invoices and statements.

‍

We are now offering the option of quarterly payments of annual fees (for Elev8 and Canvas). Please contact ar@competenz.org.nz for more information.

‍

The best way to view the progress of your learner(s) is through Competenz Central.
‍

‍Competenz Central allows you to see the training plan details of your learner(s) through the tile called eServices.

‍

Click into eServices:

‍

‍

‍

Click on the name of the learner you want more information on:

‍

‍

Click on Training Plan Detail, then click the Unit Standards drop down and change the selection to Show All.

‍

‍

If a unit standard is complete then a date will show in the Date Assessed column.

‍

Please be aware that it can take between 1 – 3 months for unit standard results to be entered into our database.

‍

See the Competenz Central help section for more information about how to access Competenz Central.

‍

‍

‍

Are you logging in on the correct page?

• Make sure you are logging in to Competenz Central by clicking the link ‘Login Competenz Central’ in the top right-hand corner of this website.

Have you successfully logged in before?

• To login to Competenz Central you need to set up an account. If you have not done this then you will need to request a login for Competenz Central.

Can't remember your username/email?

• If you cannot remember your username/email that you signed up to Competenz Central with, then please call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz. We can reset your username.
• If you signed up to Competenz Central using your Google account, then we cannot reset your username/email. What we can do, is unregister your Competenz Central account and resend you a welcome email so that you can recreate your account without using Google.

Can’t remember your password?

• Click the ‘Don’t remember your password?’ link on the Competenz Central login page and make sure you enter the correct email address that you used to set up your account.
• If you have signed up to Competenz Central using your Google account, then we cannot reset your password. What we can do, is unregister your Competenz Central account and resend you a welcome email so that you can recreate your account without using Google.

Still can’t login?

• Please call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz.
  ‍

Receive the welcome email or text message

If you have requested a login for Competenz Central, or your Competenz contact has advised that a login is on its way, then expect a welcome email like this:

‍

‍

If you cannot find the email, please check your junk mail folder.

‍

Sometimes email filters prevent Competenz emails from being received. If this is the case, our Customer Services Team can send you a text message instead of an email.

‍

Call our Customer Services Team on 0800 526 1800 or email support@competenz.org.nz and let us know your name, date of birth, company/employer, and your cell phone number. We will then send you a welcome text message like the below:

‍

‍

Enter your date of birth

‍

Once you click the link sent to you in the email or text message you will then need to enter your date of birth. This helps us check we’ve sent the link to the correct person.

‍

Make sure you enter your date of birth in this format: dd/mm/yyyy

‍

For example:

‍

‍

If your date of birth does not match with the information held in our database, you will need to contact our Customer Services Team.

‍

Create your login details

‍

Once you have entered your date of birth, you can then create your login by entering an email address for your username and a password.

‍

Your password must be at least eight characters long, and contain an uppercase, lowercase and number.

‍

Please send an email to your training advisor or account manager for support.

‍

If you are an assessor, please specify which company or companies you assess at/for so we can make sure we give you visibility of these companies.

We will need to verify your access with your Competenz contact first, so please be aware that your request may take some time.