The tertiary education reforms have placed considerable pressure on Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), which are now required to assume “new roles as strategic leaders in skills and training needs for the industries under their coverage" (Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities (STEP) 2003-04, P. 21). This paper argues that the STEP requirement can lead to productive relationships between ITOs and established research organizations. It considers the new context within which ITOs now operate and offers an illustrative case study of the sort of research that can result from collaborative relationships. Specifically, it reports on research commissioned by the New Zealand Industry Training Organisation (NZITO), which covers dairy manufacturing, meat processing, and leather processing, as part of' its strategic planning. The research reported includes: an analysis of the industries covered by the NZITO and their economic significance; the impact of an ageing workforce and other demographic on the labour market and its Implications for NZJTO industries; the impact of technological change on the labour market; and some of the consequences of the continuing integration of the global economy.