In this paper, we examine the nature of and reasons for employer-funded literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) workplace training in New Zealand, during a period where government funding has been available. To place these programmes in context, we give a historically nuanced account of employer-funded programmes in New Zealand and then look at the drivers for introducing government funding for LLN workplace training in New Zealand in the 2000s. Within this more recent policy framework, we consider empirical evidence gauging the views of employers who are running non-government-funded programmes and choosing not to access government resources or are not aware of them. Finally, we discuss how government/non-government partnerships and policies might be reframed in order to meet the needs the employers in this research identify. In particular, we signal a mismatch between more recent government requirements for eligibility for funding and the size, structure and workplace practices of New Zealand companies.