Apply for Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust (New Zealand)

The Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust is inviting applications from eligible organisations for projects that strengthen education, vocational training, workforce development, and skills development across the infrastructure sector. The Trust awards project grants of up to $500,000, with a maximum annual funding pool of $1,000,000, to support initiatives in civil construction, three waters, energy, and telecommunications.

The programme aims to improve workforce capability by funding education and training projects, industry partnerships, and scholarship initiatives that help develop skilled professionals for the infrastructure industry.

Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust Grants Overview

The Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust provides funding for projects that improve education, training, and workforce capability across the infrastructure industry.

Established through a Deed dated 26 November 2021 by the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation Incorporated, the Trust supports initiatives that strengthen vocational education and industry skills while addressing workforce needs across key infrastructure sectors.

The Trust operates two competitive funding rounds each year, with applications accepted in March and September.

Purpose of the Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust

The primary objective of the Trust is to strengthen education and workforce development throughout the infrastructure sector.

The programme aims to:

• Develop education and training opportunities
• Improve workforce capability
• Increase technical and professional competencies
• Support vocational education
• Strengthen industry partnerships
• Promote skills development
• Encourage infrastructure workforce innovation
• Support future infrastructure professionals

The Trust invests in projects that contribute to a skilled and sustainable infrastructure workforce.

Why This Grant Matters

Infrastructure industries require highly skilled workers to support economic growth, public services, and community development.

The Trust helps address workforce challenges by supporting:

• Skills shortages
• Industry training
• Vocational education
• Workforce capability
• Industry collaboration
• Professional development
• Infrastructure innovation

These investments contribute to long-term workforce resilience across the infrastructure sector.

Priority Funding Areas

The Trust supports projects that improve education and training across several infrastructure industries.

Civil Construction

Eligible projects may support:

• Construction workforce training
• Civil engineering education
• Infrastructure construction skills
• Technical training programmes
• Workforce development initiatives

Projects should strengthen skills within the civil construction sector.

Three Waters

Funding may support education and training related to:

• Drinking water
• Wastewater management
• Stormwater systems
• Water infrastructure
• Water services workforce development

Projects should improve technical capability within the three waters sector.

Energy

The programme encourages projects involving:

• Energy workforce development
• Power infrastructure training
• Renewable energy skills
• Electrical infrastructure education
• Industry competency development

Education initiatives should strengthen workforce capability across the energy industry.

Telecommunications

Eligible activities may include:

• Telecommunications workforce training
• Digital infrastructure education
• Network technology skills
• Communications infrastructure development
• Technical certification programmes

Projects should contribute to a skilled telecommunications workforce.

Types of Projects Supported

The Trust supports projects that directly improve education and workforce capability.

Examples include:

• Industry education programmes
• Vocational training initiatives
• Skills development projects
• Professional development programmes
• Workforce capability projects
• Scholarship programmes
• Industry research
• Training resource development
• Collaborative education initiatives

Funding is intended for specific projects rather than general organisational operations.

Funding Information

The Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust provides:

• Maximum individual grant: $500,000
• Maximum annual funding available: $1,000,000

In addition:

• Up to $150,000 each calendar year may be allocated to organisations providing scholarships, grants, or similar assistance for individuals undertaking vocational training in infrastructure-related qualifications.

Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board
• Infrastructure organisations
• Industry associations
• Industry groups
• Research organisations
• Scholarship providers
• Organisations supporting vocational education
• Infrastructure education providers

Applicants must demonstrate strong connections to the infrastructure industry.

Partnership Requirements

A key eligibility requirement is collaboration with The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board.

Applicants must:

• Operate in partnership with the Board
• Work within eligible infrastructure sectors
• Demonstrate industry support
• Show strong sector engagement

Partnerships strengthen project quality and industry relevance.

Industry Support Requirements

Applicants should provide evidence of support from the infrastructure sector.

Support may come from:

• Industry associations
• Major employers
• Infrastructure organisations
• Industry groups
• Recognised sector bodies

Industry endorsement demonstrates that proposed projects address genuine workforce needs.

Eligible Expenses

Funding may support project-related costs such as:

• Programme delivery
• Training materials
• Educational resources
• Project staffing
• Professional services
• Project management
• Research activities
• Scholarship administration
• Operational costs directly related to the approved project

All expenses should directly contribute to project implementation.

Ineligible Expenses

The Trust does not provide funding for:

• General organisational operating expenses
• Unrelated administrative costs
• Ongoing day-to-day organisational activities
• Projects outside eligible infrastructure sectors
• Activities without industry partnership requirements

Applicants should ensure that funding requests relate specifically to project activities.

How to Apply for the Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust Grant

Organisations should prepare a well-developed project proposal demonstrating industry need and expected outcomes.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should verify that they:

• Operate within an eligible infrastructure sector
• Meet partnership requirements
• Have appropriate industry support
• Propose an eligible project

Step 2: Develop the Project Proposal

The proposal should explain:

• Project objectives
• Education or training activities
• Target beneficiaries
• Expected workforce outcomes
• Industry benefits
• Project timeline

The project should clearly strengthen infrastructure education and workforce capability.

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Applicants should prepare a detailed budget that outlines:

• Project costs
• Staffing expenses
• Training materials
• Operational costs directly related to the project
• Funding requested

Budgets should demonstrate value for money and realistic project planning.

Step 4: Demonstrate Industry Support

Applicants should include evidence of support from:

• Industry associations
• Employer groups
• Infrastructure organisations
• Recognised industry bodies

Strong industry backing improves application competitiveness.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted during one of the Trust’s two annual funding rounds held in March and September, together with all required supporting documentation.

Common Application Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Requesting funding for general operating costs
• Weak industry partnerships
• Missing evidence of industry support
• Poorly developed project plans
• Unrealistic budgets
• Limited explanation of workforce impact

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate clear workforce benefits
• Show strong industry collaboration
• Include measurable outcomes
• Present a realistic implementation plan
• Provide evidence of sector demand
• Align activities with infrastructure education priorities
• Prepare a detailed and transparent budget

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

A skilled infrastructure workforce is essential for delivering reliable public services, economic growth, and sustainable development.

The Trust supports projects that:

• Strengthen vocational education
• Improve workforce capability
• Address infrastructure skills shortages
• Encourage industry collaboration
• Support future infrastructure professionals
• Promote innovation in workforce development

These investments contribute to a stronger and more resilient infrastructure sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust?

It is a charitable funding programme established to strengthen education, vocational training, and workforce development across the infrastructure industry.

How much funding is available?

Individual projects may receive up to $500,000, while the Trust may award a maximum of $1,000,000 in grants each calendar year.

How often are grant rounds held?

The Trust holds two funding rounds annually, with applications accepted in March and September.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include infrastructure organisations, industry associations, research organisations, scholarship providers, vocational education organisations, and The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board, provided they meet the partnership and eligibility requirements.

Which sectors are supported?

The programme supports projects in:

• Civil construction
• Three waters
• Energy
• Telecommunications

Can funding be used for general operating expenses?

No. Funding is available for specific projects. Operational costs are eligible only when they are directly related to delivering the approved project.

Is industry partnership required?

Yes. Applicants must operate in partnership with The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board and demonstrate support from recognised infrastructure industry organisations or employer groups.

Conclusion

The Infrastructure Education and Training Charitable Trust Grants 2026 provide significant funding for organisations working to improve education, vocational training, and workforce capability across the infrastructure sector.

By supporting collaborative projects in civil construction, three waters, energy, and telecommunications, the programme helps develop a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the future needs of the infrastructure industry while strengthening long-term economic and community development.