What is the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF)?
On Thursday 14 May 2020, the Minister of Finance, Hon Grant Robertson, delivered Budget 2020 – including the announcement of the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF). It means that between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2022, the cost of vocational education and training in targeted industries will be covered by the TTAF, in order to support New Zealanders to study and train in industries where demand is expected to grow as the country recovers from the impact of COVID-19.

For further details, please refer to the Tertiary Education Commission website at the following link:
Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (free trades training) | Tertiary Education Commission (tec.govt.nz)

What qualifications and training programmes are covered under TTAF?
A list of eligible Careerforce qualifications and programmes for 2020 and 2021 can found here.

When did the TTAF come into effect and when does it expire?
The TTAF commenced from 1 July 2020 and is due to end on 31 December 2022.

Who is entitled to a TTAF refund?
Trainees and apprentices who were already enrolled in an eligible TTAF programme and continuing after 1 July 2020, are eligible for a pro-rata refund of the fees.  This also includes assessment fees paid to a mobile or contracted assessor from 1 July 2020.

If you’re an employer and paid for staff fees, you will receive a pro-rata refund.

What if my fees were paid by my employer?
Your employer will receive the refund.

How do I receive my TTAF refund?
All trainees, apprentices and employers who have been identified as eligible for a refund will receive an email from our accounts team with relevant details and requesting bank account information.

Please bear in mind that it may take some time to process all the refunds (approximately 1-2 months after we receive your information).

Why have I received both a credit note and an invoice (or multiple)?
In some cases, you may have received more than one credit note and/or invoice—if this is you, you will only receive the difference (i.e. the total of all credits and invoices offset against each other).

When calculating the refunds, some errors occurred and to ensure the correct amounts have been applied, an additional invoice or credit note may have been created. To find the difference you just need to add your credit notes and minus the invoices. If these offset to zero dollars, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Do assessment fees paid to mobile or contracted assessors qualify under TTAF?
If you paid fees to a mobile or contracted assessor after 1 July 2020, and it related to an eligible TTAF programme, you may be entitled to a refund of assessment fees. Assessment fees paid before 1 July 2020 are not covered by TTAF. Workplace assessment does not qualify.

In December 2021, Careerforce sent an email to learners and employers who may have used mobile/contracted assessors and paid fees after 1 July 2020. The email explains details of refund eligibility and how to make a claim. To qualify for a refund all relevant evidence must be provided to support a claim, which is assessed against credit achievements, as well as the reasonableness of fees claimed.

Note that any contractual arrangements between a learner/employer and a mobile/contracted assessor are solely between the parties involved and is independent of Careerforce. Any payment queries or disputes remain between the contracted parties.

Do training fees paid to an external provider qualify under TTAF?
If you paid an external party to provide training (i.e., it is not provided by a workplace assessor/trainer) after 1 July 2020, and it related to an eligible TTAF programme, you can claim the costs for this. Invoice copies and relevant details will be required to support claims.

When is the cut off time to make a claim for TTAF refunds?
Refunds for programme fees:     you have until 31 December 2021 to make a claim.
Refunds for assessment fees and training costs:     you have until 30 June 2022 to make a claim.

How long does it take for my claim to be processed?
Refunds for programme fees:    all eligible claims have been processed.
Refunds for assessment fees and training costs:    these claims can take a few months to process as it is a very manual process and is taking longer than we expected.
If you have made a claim for either of the above and it has been longer than 3 months, and you haven’t heard from us, please contact us at the email provided below.

I think I’m entitled to a refund, but I haven’t received an email from Careerforce – what should I do?
If you are entitled to a refund and you haven’t heard from us, please call us on 03 374 1326 or email us at accounts@careerforce.org.nz.