As the country’s top energy sector workers show off their world-class skills at a national competition event in Christchurch next month, two young local women are making their mark.
More female competitors are making their presence felt at Annual Connection each year, and this year is no exception with a record number of women registered to take on the challenges at the 2025 event in Christchurch.
For the first time the cable jointing competitions will feature a landmark three female competitors, including two from host sponsor EA Networks; Chloe Guthrie, entered in the main cable jointing competition and Tia Fasi, who will be competing in the new Annual Connection trainee cable jointing competition.
The experience will be a first for both women, and they’re working hard to prepare by tapping co-workers who’ve previously competed for their best tips and advice.
“One of my fellow cable jointers at EA Networks had been a judge and competitor himself and was explaining the competition to me. I thought it would be fun and a great learning opportunity,” says Chloe, who joined EA as an apprentice cable jointer in 2022, and qualified in May this year through Connexis. “I’m having training moments with fellow workers who have been in the competition themselves, and I’m constantly working on my techniques on day-to-day jobs.”
Tia, who began her cable jointing apprenticeship at EA in mid-2024 through Connexis, says while the thought of competing at Annual Connection is “quite daunting” she is getting plenty of support from those around her.
“Everyone has been very forthcoming with their own experiences; the likely skills and knowledge I’ll need and the overall structure of the competition. I’m confident they’ll provide me with anything I’ll need. I’ll just try my best,” she says. “I’m looking forward to the learning experience and the challenge I’ve set for myself.”
Tia first heard about cable jointing as a career while completing a pre-trades course after leaving school with plans to become an electrician. “I saw the cable jointers in their workshop doing what I now know was a live joint. That’s how I became aware of cable jointing.
“It was the physicality and utter complexity of the work that appealed. I had absolutely no idea what they were doing but I was instantly enticed,” Tia says. “I honestly love everything about the job now I’m doing it. I thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to have such variety in a job whilst having the ability to learn new skills and do many hands-on tasks.”
For Chloe, cable jointing was also a career option that was new to her when she discovered it, though she was familiar with the work of EA Networks through her dad, who also works for the company. “I never once heard of a cable jointer growing up. I mostly only knew of linesmen, but I wanted a hands-on job and to get into a good trade.
“I started by doing work experience at EA Networks in cable jointing and loved it right away, so I wanted to keep coming back and learning more.”
The things Chloe loves most about her job are the work ethic and technique required. “I love making terminations clean and like pieces of art. I also love having the ability to work outside and be travelling around mid-Canterbury while learning about my job and electricity every day. It’s good to feel a sense of accomplishment leaving work knowing the job you did that day was important.”
Chloe’s advice for other young people, particularly women, considering cable jointing as a career option is to give it a try.
“If you love outdoors and getting your hands dirty, have a strong personality and can deal with some male banter, cable jointer is a good start.
“As a woman you might need to learn some techniques to make things work for you as we don’t have the same strength as others, but I’ve loved learning and becoming part of a team and showing that girls can fit in and do the same jobs as men.”
Tia says she would definitely recommend giving cable jointing a try to anybody considering it. “I genuinely love my job despite only being over a year in and would have nothing but good things to say about my experience. Every job has its difficulties and challenges, but the reward is worth the risk. Take the jump and give it a go, what’s the worst that could happen.”
And to any other young female cable jointers wanting to compete in Annual Connection in the future, Tia’s advice is to go for it. “If you’re given the opportunity, take it. The worst that can happen is you come last, but the experience is what matters.”
Chloe agrees: “You are challenging yourself and showing off techniques you have learnt. You can do whatever you put your mind to – and remember competing will be a great learning experience.”
- Annual Connection, managed by Connexis with 2025 sponsors Orion, EA Networks and Connectics, is a unique three-day event, bringing together cable jointers, line mechanics and industry stakeholders from around New Zealand. The event consists of a series of competitions designed to showcase the skills and knowledge of workers in our Electricity Supply Industry.
- Annual Connection 2025 will be held at Canterbury Agricultural Park on 21-23 October.
- https://annualconnection.co.nz/