What we do
We provide grants for training, education and skills development for people working in New Zealand’s trades and technical industries.
If you’re an individual looking to develop your career, or an organisation building workforce capability – we’re here to help.
What industries do you cover?
The Inspiring Futures Foundation covers 11 industries, from Automotive to Warehousing and Logistics.
These industries are changing fast and we’re here to help people and organisations to keep up.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can support, talk to your Industry Council representative.
Industries we cover:
Automotive
Collision Repair and Refinishing
Commercial Road Transport
Passenger Services
Mining and Quarrying
Warehousing and Logistics
Industrial Textile Fabrication
Drilling
Gas
Stevedoring and Ports
Resource Recovery
Whether you’re in a workshop, on a mine site, at a port, or on the road – if your work is here, so are we.
Grant rounds open twice a year – March and September
Inspiring Futures Foundation funding can cover training and course costs, capability building, travel and accommodation for study, research, and more. Decisions are made by people with first-hand industry experience, so your application lands with people who get it.
Since 2022, we’ve delivered $2.3 million in grants across
New Zealand’s trades and technical industries.
What is the MITO and Inspiring Futures Foundation scholarship?
Each year, Inspiring Futures Foundation partners with MITO to offer a scholarship supporting learners in New Zealand's trades and technical industries.
For available scholarships, key dates, and terms and conditions, visit MITO's website.
Check out our annual highlights
The Inspiring Futures Foundation annual reports set out where our funding went, what it achieved, and what we're working toward.
Annual Report 2024/25 (PDF 1 MB)
Annual Report 2023/24 (PDF 3.1 MB)
Annual Report 2022/23 (PDF 3.1 MB)