The Annual Connection Excellence Awards celebrate the best and brightest trainees working in the Electricity Supply and Telecommunications industries. They also recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the industry through their enthusiasm and commitment to industry training.
Over the three days of competitions at Annual Connection competitors showcased the very best practices for completing jobs safely and efficiently. The competition was extremely tough in the arena this year.
Winners
Cable Jointer Competition
First Place – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill
Second Place – Michael Pascall, PBA Ltd, Christchurch
Third Place – James Ardagh, MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora
Award presented by : Mark Shed from TransNet
Line Mechanic Competition
First Place – Unison Contracting Services, Hawke’s Bay
(See image above: Left to right Serah Russell (Reserve Trainee), Josh Wairama, Jimmy Marinus (Foreman) John Andersen, Te Cohney Whitehouse (Trainee) and James Aranui (Team Manager).
Second Place – WEL Networks, Waikato
Third Place – Unison Contracting Services, Rotorua
Overall Trainee of the Year
and
Advanced Trainee of the Year
Bernard Muzengeza, WEL Networks, Waikato
Overall Trainee of the Year Award Sponsor Connetics | Presented by Daniel Woollaston, Connetics’ Wellington Manager (Photographed above)
Advanced Trainee of the Year Award Sponsor PowerNet | Award presented by Michelle Henderson Chief Operating Officer for Powernet.
Investing in Youth Training & Development
John Goodenough, Connetics, Christchurch
Award Sponsor Electrix Presented by Robert Ferris, Managing Director.
Transmission Trainee of the Year
Paul O’Loughlin, Broadspectrum, Christchurch
Award sponsor Transpower |Presented by Phil Ranby, National Delivery Manager
Telecommunications Trainee of the Year
Perenara O’Connell, Downer, Gisborne
Award sponsor Connexis | Presented by Marc Borland, National Key Account Manager
Distribution Trainee of the Year
Emily Flynn, Unison Hastings
Award Sponsor Alpine Energy | Presented by Kaarin Gaukrodger, Group Manager Customer Engagement from Connexis on behalf of Alpine Energy
Generation Trainee of the Year
Mason Griffiths, Meridian Energy, Manapouri, Twizel
Award Sponsor: Electricity Engineers Association | Presented by Peter Berry, Executive Director of the EEA
Ross Archer Memorial Line Mechanic Safety Award
Ryan Allen, Wel Networks, Hamilton
Award Sponsor Wel Networks
Outstanding leader in 2019 Line Mechanic competitions
Johnny Wilson, Mainpower Ltd
Award presented by Rick Johnson, Chief Competition Judge, on behalf of the Competitions Committee
Dougie Award
Unison Contracting Service Ltd – Rotorua
The Dougie Award is decided by the judges based on the team who are the best presented and spirited with good attitude throughout the competition.
Colin Bear Award
Unison Contracting Service Ltd – Hawke’s Bay
The Colin Bear award is award to the winning team of the dismantle event.
Line Mechanic Competition Events
Pole Install – Unison Contracting Services Ltd
Electrical Theory – WEL Networks, Waikato
Build – MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora
First Aid – Independent Line Services, Christchurch
Old School – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua
Mobile EWP Rescue – Independent Line Services, Christchurch
Hardware Install – The Lines Company, Te Kuiti
Pole Top Rescue – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua
Crane Event – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay
Earthbank Install – Waipa Networks, Waikato
Equipotential Zone – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay
Electrical Testing – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua
LV Distribution Install – MainPower New Zealand Limited, Rangiora
Dismantle – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay
Cable Jointer Competition Events
Electrical Theory – Pablo Lagos, Connetics, Christchurch
HV Indoor Termination – Kevin Piere, Unison Contracting Services Ltd
HV Outdoor Termination – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill
Spiking Gun – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill
Pit Rescue – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill
First Aid – Bradley McKnight, Independent Line Services, Christchurch
Live LV Jointing – James Ardagh, MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora
HV Jointing Event – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill
