Kia ora koutou,
Executive Director
Throughout another year of change and uncertainty within the Vocational Education sector, we at Connexis are proud to have continued our focus on growing a skilled, local workforce for a sustainable and resilient infrastructure industry.
As part of the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga, an update from the Government is due shortly on its future plans for the delivery of Vocational Education and Training (VET). These decisions will mean system changes for 2025 that will be reflected in new entities encompassing standard setting, industry training and polytechnics. We will continue to provide updates as information is released and as we step through the required changes next year. It is important that your voice, as employers and industry stakeholders, continues to be heard as the redesigned VET system is stepped up. Industry training is focused on training those who are employed and in work and has always been, and should continue to be, industry-led.
While the VET system redesign was consulted on this year, Connexis remained focused on delivering infrastructure training programmes and initiatives to support employers in growing the capability and capacity of their organisation, through upskilling their team members.
This includes:
Our work in growing a diverse workforce through Ultimit – Women in Infrastructure. This year reaching the largest number of female school students to date, with over 750 female school students from across New Zealand connected to infrastructure employers through Girls with Hi-Vis® events. The depth of females within the sector is growing and was evident at our iconic 2024 Electricity Supply event, Annual Connection, with two females leading Line Mechanic crews.
Some of the new and improved training programmes, delivery and initiatives throughout the year included:
• The new Temporary Traffic Management Risk Assessment (Level 4) and Temporary Traffic Management Design (Level 4) micro-credentials, the first of a new suite of micro-credentials to be rolled out in the coming months.
• Reviewed programmes for Infrastructure Works (Level 2) and Infrastructure Works (Level 3) ensuring a pathway for learners coming into the infrastructure industry.
• A new micro-credential for Gateway students interested in electricity supply – Introduction to the Electricity Supply Industry (Level 2).
• Updated programme and delivery of the Apprenticeship in Electrical Trade (Level 4), ensuring it remains current with the Electrical Workers Registration Board requirements.
• Release of a Learner Handbook to help learners understand how industry training works and what support Connexis can offer them during their learning journey.
• Outward Bound Scholarships for learners to help grow our future leaders.
• Increased learner support with VITAE Service; literacy and numeracy support; and hardship grants.
We already have a full work schedule for 2025 with the following planned for the first half of the year:
• The second Gateway Electricity Supply micro-credential, Working Safely in the Electricity Supply Industry. If students complete both ESI Gateway MCs as well as First Aid, they can be awarded the NZ Certificate in Electricity Supply (Introductory) (Level 2) which is seen by employers as the entry point for a career in electricity supply.
• Reviewed programme for the Apprenticeship in Civil Infrastructure (Level 4) aligning with the latest qualification version.
• Three new micro-credentials in the TTM micro-credential suite: Low-risk Low-impact Activities, Mobile Operations and TTM Assist within the Road Reserve.
• Review of the Workplace Health & Safety (Level 3) programme.
• Delivery of new eLearning method for the Infrastructure Works (Level 3) on top of the already available paper-based delivery.
• Xcelerate Your Training pack to support employers engaged in industry training.
Finally, some key dates to note:
• 23 Dec 2024 – 3 Jan 2025: Connexis is closed so our team members can step back and take a break with their family and friends before we embark on a big year of change in 2025.
• 1 Jan 2025: Fees Free changes. From this date the Government’s Fees Free initiative applies to final-year students, rather than first-year. We encourage apprentices and learners to check their eligibility at feesfree.govt.nz. The change to the scheme will mean refunds will be applied for and granted to learners who have completed the programme within duration.
We understand that some essential worker teams will continue to work over the Christmas and New Year period to ensure New Zealanders can keep connected and moving, and we thank you for this.
Industry training is not possible without the time and commitment from those working in the industry. Developing fit-for-purpose training programmes requires the input from our local workforce and we thank those individuals and companies who have provided time and resource to this. We would also like to recognise the work of our assessors who provide their expertise, time and mentorship to grow individuals and in doing so grow our workforce.
Thank you for your continued support and investment and we look forward to partnering with you in 2025.
Meri Kirihimete
Kaarin Gaukrodger
Executive Director
