Generation Trainee of the Year

Danielle Main’s drive, initiative and proactive approach to achieving her training goals has seen her impress both her trainer and her boss in her role as an operator maintainer for Genesis Energy in Lake Tekapo. 

Her site manager at Genesis Energy, Mark Cain cites a particular example when Danielle showed the initiative to go to the control room and investigate the reason for a generator brake trip, – when she was in her role at the company for just two months. She found the cause of the problem, and promptly confirmed it with a senior operator who was at a remote site. “For a very new employee, this demonstrated considerable initiative and problem-solving ability.” 

Danielle began her training with a pre-trade electrical engineering course at Ara Institute in Christchurch, before starting her electrical apprenticeship at Te Apiti wind farm in Palmerston North then switching to Genesis Energy in Lake Tekapo. She is currently working towards her NZ Certificate in Electrical Trade (Electricity Supply) Level 4, and is completing Genesis’ internal Operator Maintainer Pathway. 

Danielle has been nominated in the QPower-sponsored Generation Trainee of the Year category of the 2021 Connexis Excellence Awards by Paul Bryant, senior operator maintainer for Genesis Energy. 

He says the incident reflects Danielle’s approach to work and study. “She doesn’t wait for things to come to her, and she proactively chases her goals.”  

Danielle is already at an equivalent level to other qualified operators in most areas and is on track to complete her operator training in a third of the expected time, says Paul. “She will be able to take on full standby duties and release other team members to carry out longer-term improvement projects.” 

As part of her role at Lake Tekapo  Danielle is responsible for supervising contractors and work groups that visit the site, ensuring they follow correct processes. She is also enthusiastic about sharing her own experiences with other trainees and pointing them in the right direction. She is an active participant in Girls with Hi-Vis and has delivered presentations at high schools to encourage others into jobs in the energy sector. 

She says industry training has allowed her to “develop my skills to become a better asset to my company and helped improve my understanding of the equipment I work with day-to-day”. She adds that she’d encourage others into training “because it allows for continuous improvement and a sense of satisfaction”.  

And she’s not done yet, though her current role offers plenty of challenges and variety.  

“Here you are an all-rounder, from office/administrative tasks, planning, operating, inspections, and practical electrical jobs,” Danielle says but she has her eye on further training. Next up is completing the Power Technician Qualification and eventually the NZ Diploma in  Engineering Practice. 

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Telecommunications Trainee of the Year 

“I’ve never heard her say; ‘this is too difficult, I cannot do it.” 

Navjot Kaur’s diligence and commitment to excellence has impressed Deep Basmet, her supervisor at Civtec in Hamilton, if that comment is anything to go by. 

Navjot has been a trainee fibre technician with Civtech for three years, where she is now nearing completion of her NZ Certificate in Telecommunications (Fibre Optics) Level 3. 

She has been nominated in the Telecommunications Trainee of the Year category (sponsored by Connexis) in the 2021 Connexis Excellence Awards. She was nominated by iSkills trainer and assessor Cameron Childerhouse who describes her as a perfectionist who ensures all her work – and her training – are completed to a high standard. 

“Navjot always applies the learnings from block courses within the workplace. She is a hard worker who is always looking for logistical answers as to why things work the way they do,” says Cameron, adding that she always asks for help when she needs it. “She wants to understand the whole concept.” 

He says Navjot is an exceptional role model to her co-workers and fellow trainees and she is always looking for ways to improve systems and processes. Plus she is happy to share her findings, and knowledge with other trainees. 

Within just five months of starting with Civtech, Navjot was appointed to train the next intake of new-starters with the company, and has been doing so ever since, demonstrating great leadership skills.

Cameron says Navjot wants to continue to develop with the telecommunications sector and currently wants to become a network designer, where she can use her knowledge to improve the network. He says it is also important to Navjot to be a mentor for other women combining into a still male-dominated sector. 

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Telecommunications Trainee of the Year 

Timothy Sopp is proof it’s never time to stop learning.  

 As a fibre technician based in Wellington, Timothy is currently working towards his NZ Certificate in Telecommunications (Fibre Optics) Level 3, though he has a career in the industry spanning 50 years. 

 Timothy has been nominated in the Connexis-sponsored Telecommunications Trainee of the Year category of the 2021 Connexis Excellence Awards, by Anthea Mallasch, iSkills Trainee Coordinator. 

 Anthea says Timothy has a unique commitment to his on-going professional knowledge. Though he is eligible to complete training via the Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) pathway, he has instead chosen to complete the full qualification, attending all the block courses and completing all the assessments.  

“He understands the industry is constantly changing so he wants to keep up to date and ensure he is working on jobs with the right knowledge behind him,” Anthea says. “He is always questioning how things were done previously, how much he has learnt over his block courses, and how they differ.” 

Tim’s actions and attitudes are always positive, Anthea says. “His growth, knowledge and commitment to learning new things make him an exceptional trainee and an asset to the telecommunications industry.” 

Though Tim often works alone, as a sole contractor and director of his own company Reflectech Ltd, Anthea says he still manages to be a team player, offering to help both his fellow trainees and co-workers. “Tim is approachable in any circumstances and is always willing to guide those around him.”  

She says Tim’s Excellence Awards nomination will help him step into the role of mentor for younger technicians, adding that he gets great joy from passing on his knowledge to help others and seeing them develop. 

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Advanced Trainee of the Year 

When Ben Aynsley began as an apprentice electrician with Electronet straight out of school, 18 years ago, he didn’t know the role of power system technician existed. He certainly didn’t know that with the right industry training under his belt, he’d become a power system technician working on major infrastructure projects all over NZ. 

One of the things he likes most about his job now is the role he plays in keeping NZ running. “I like being part of large projects that contribute to the development and stability of the national grid,” says Ben, who is based in Greymouth. 

“A power system technician is not a well known job. People may not know that every fault scenario in a power system gets simulated, tested and recorded during the commissioning process,” he says. “The power system technician, along with the project engineer, give the final OK to liven new pieces of high voltage electrical equipment.” 

Ben has been nominated in the PowerNet-sponsored Advanced Trainee of the Year category of the 2021 Connexis Excellence Awards, by Ralph Glasson, Senior Power System Technician for ElectroNet. Ralph says Ben’s diligence, hard work and commitment to his training, in his own time, have presented him with great opportunities within ElectroNet that have taken him from electrical apprentice to where he is now, and on to new challenges in the future. 

“Ben uses his learning in the workplace to help solve problems, from faults to design issues. He can offer suggestions and feedback to engineers and customers that is both practical and theoretically correct,” says Ralph, adding that Ben is very motivated and seeking out training and completing it to a high standard, all with a young family who also need his time and attention. 

 “Ben has always gone about his training very diligently and has completed all his academic training courses on time and often with above average marks,” he says citing, as an example, a recent paper Ben completed through the University of Southern Queensland which he undertook, without prompting, achieving High Distinction, while also completing the commissioning of the Kapuni Solar Farm for Todd Energy. 

Ralph adds that Ben is also very keen to help other trainees with their study, often setting up experiments in the workshop to explain concepts. 

For Ben, training is an ongoing commitment that allows him to keep developing. 

“Continued learning keeps your brain active and challenged. The additional knowledge training provides, allows you to piece together the puzzles you find during challenging jobs at work,” he says. “I plan on continuing on with my study and am aiming to complete an Electrical Engineering degree. From there I want to become a mentor to technicians and electricians starting out in the power system industry at Electronet.” 

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Contribution to Investing in Youth Training and Development

As a Senior Contract Manager for Electrix’s Power Services North business unit, David de Klerk has plenty of responsibilities – but that never stops him from taking the time to support the company’s trainees.

Training and support for apprentices is not part of David’s role with Electrix but his door is always open for any trainee in need of advice and encouragement.

David is a finalist in the Electrix-sponsored Contribution to Investing in Youth Training and Development category of the 2021 Connexis Industry Excellence Awards. He was nominated by Karl Wallace, Perimeter Director for Electrix in Auckland who says David has provided invaluable assistance to trainee electricians across the company in his almost 15 years with the company – and he does it all off his own back.

“Even though it is not his primary job, he makes the time to assist and support young trainees with theory and practical assessments, ensuring their progression and success.”

One of those former trainees who had the benefits of David’s support, Danielle Forman, says she’s never known anyone go above and beyond the call of duty for others, the way David does. “He never turns away anyone in need. Dave treats others, apprentices especially, with a grace that suggests you are at the top of his priority list, regardless of how long that list might be.”

Karl Wallace says David has helped grow the confidence and success of a huge number of trainees, sharing the knowledge he has accumulated in more than 35 years of working in the electrical industry, both in New Zealand and South Africa.

“His patience and knowledge have given many of the apprentices the foundation they need to start a successful career in the electrical industry, and to build on their apprenticeship and training,” Karl says. That includes regularly following up with trainees on how their studies are progressing, helping them if they’re struggling and organising work in other parts of the company, and industry, to make sure they meet their requirements.

David also works closely with training providers such as Connexis to help improve training pathways for apprentices. David says his own industry training has “strengthened by knowledge to be able to support and mentor the new trainees that have come through over the years”.

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Transmission Trainee of the Year

As an office administrator for Electrix, then based in Taupo, Debbie Kernohan found she needed a better understanding of what crews were working on out in the field.

She started making site visits to bring herself up to speed, and developed such a passion for what she learned, that when Electrix offered her an apprenticeship, she jumped at the chance.

Industry training has opened up a whole new world, she says. “It’s started my career and given me opportunities to learn and advance further.

“You can’t go wrong, earning while you learn. And you learn a lot more by physically doing the job than just learning about it in books.”

Debbie completed her apprenticeship earlier in 2021 and is now an electrical fitter with Electrix’s Power Services North business unit, based in Auckland.

Debbie is a finalist in the Transpower-sponsored Transmission Trainee of the Year category of the 2021 Connexis Industry Excellence Awards.  She was nominated by Lakhmi Venkatesan, Business Unit Manager, for Electrix in Auckland who says Debbie jumps to take advantage of any opportunities that come her way to learn more and build her competencies.

“She is not afraid to put up her hand to give things a go, but is also humble enough to ask for assistance if needed,” Lakhmi says. “She’s never afraid to speak up with ideas for improvements and … if she finds things that are unsafe on the job.”

She says Debbie has now developed specialist technical knowledge on critical network infrastructure that means she is often the ‘go-to’ person within the team.

Lakhmi adds that Debbie is an inspiration to other trainees in Electrix and is generous with sharing her knowledge and keeps a clear head under pressure. “She leads by example and does her best to assist others in any way possible, be it the job supervisor, colleagues or apprentices.”

Debbie demonstrated the same commitment and attitude when it came to her own training, says Lakhmi. “She would ensure she was afforded the opportunity to work with other areas of the company to get her sign-offs completed. Her passion to learn more, allowed her to raise her hand when opportunities presented themselves.”

Debbie says she particularly enjoys panel writing and fault-finding because they give her a great challenge. She says her team has been really supportive of her studies and have “kicked her arse when I’m trailing behind”.

She adds that she sees a great career path ahead. “I’m hoping to head towards project management, however things change, so I’m open to all opportunities that come my way.”

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Transmission Trainee of the Year

One of the best things about being a trainee line mechanic for Jessie Galang is knowing he is contributing to New Zealand’s future.

Jessie, who works for Electrix in Palmerston North, says while many people might not know just “how good this job is” he’d recommend training as a line mechanic because it’s a skilled role the country “really needs”.

Jessie started with Electrix as a trainee in 2019, completing the 2019 Gridskills Transmission Line Pathway. He also had some previous experience working in the electrical sector in the Philippines, having gained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering there.

That experience means Jessie has become a natural leader among other trainees, says Arun Dhanjee, Electric Construction Manager in Palmerston North.

Arun, who nominated Jessie for the Transpower-sponsored Transmission Trainee of the Year category in the 2021 Connexis Industry Excellence Awards, says he is a standout employee as well as an excellent trainee.

Devotion to his studies, enthusiasm for his work, persistence with his own training, and generosity with his time are traits that make Jessie an important team member, says Arun.

He says Jessie will give up his own time to help other trainees and make sure they have a thorough understanding of their work, and he instigates discussions around complex projects to make sure other trainees can the best learning and development. He also spends a lot of his break time making sure he’s on top of his studies, and has managed to balance his training with his work and raising a young family.

“Jessie is always focused on challenging himself and continually learning,” Arun says. “[He] is not afraid to take the lead and continuously demonstrates and discusses safety.”

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Investing in Youth Training & Development 

For Cameron Childerhouse, being a trainer is not a 9 to 5 job.  

Cameron, who is a Tech Standards and Development Capability Specialist for iSkills in Mt Maunganui, says his is the perfect job for people who get satisfaction from seeing others grow and develop, but it’s not an easy job. 

Cameron’s commitment to his work is backed up by iSkills Operations Supervisor Bronwyn Bradley, who has nominated Cameron in the Electrix-sponsored Investing in Youth Training & Development category of the Connexis Industry Excellence Awards.  

Bronwyn says Cameron often goes beyond the call of duty for the trainees he works with. As an example, she cites his work with 60 youth trainees who he was helping complete the Gateway programme, to transition from high school to jobs in the infrastructure sector. She says Cameron’s support included travelling regularly to ensure all the trainees were on track and receiving tailored support. “Cam went above and beyond to ensure all students attended every session of the training by collecting them from home, so they did not miss out on any experiences.” 

She says Cameron is actively involved in reviewing course material with subject matter experts as well as industry stakeholders and bodies, and mentors not just learners but other training facilitators. Cameron is studying himself, towards an Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5) qualification. 

Cameron, who has a technical background working in the electrical supply industry, says he was drawn to training when he could see a gap between training materials, delivery techniques and getting engagement from learners. “I started by trying to introduce little bits of daily training to my staff. From there the feedback I had from learners told me I had to get out of the field and into the training environment full time. From there I haven’t looked back.” 

He says industry training has opened up a whole new world for him. It has “completely expanded my thoughts and the field that I can influence”.  

“I can be in a classroom face-to-face with a new trainee line mechanic one day, to working with an asset owner the next, reviewing training material. My career has expanded 100-fold.” 

He adds that it is seeing people achieve that remains the most rewarding part of his job. 

“It’s amazing to see someone who once thought ‘I don’t think I can do that’, to taking them to a level they can be really proud of. I also like meeting new people and seeing how much they love doing their job to the best they possibly can. I think this industry is in good hands.” 

The Connexis Industry Excellence Awards are a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and expertise it takes to succeed in the industry. They will be held online on Monday 6 December from 7pm. They will include a keynote speech by Minister for Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson and will be hosted by broadcaster Jason Pine. 

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Transmission Trainee of the Year 

When Carl Moffitt and his wife moved to Rotorua he took the opportunity to train for a new career in the Electricity Supply Industry. 

Carl is now a trainee transmission line mechanic with Northpower Rotorua after a varied work background in sawmilling, pipe systems, helicopters, drain laying and gas delivery. All that experience has given Carl the work ethic to thrive in training for his new career. 

Carl has been nominated in the Transpower-sponsored Transmission Trainee of the Year category of the 2021 Connexis Industry Excellence Awards, by Carey Sutton, Northpower NL3 Maintenance Manager in Rotorua.

Carey says Carl has embraced his new career with gusto and has shown hard work and dedication to quickly achieve his NZ Certificate in Electricity Supply (Level 4). “His willingness to learn is constant, which has given him the confidence to apply theory to practice and teach others within his team.” Carey adds that Carl often picks up the jobs no-one else wants to do, without being asked and is always finding reading material that helps increase his industry knowledge and skills. He is also happy to share that knowledge. 

“I have seen him mentor new trainees on the worksite, taking the initiative to help others who are new to our industry. He has natural leadership abilities and communicates calmly, making those around him feel at ease,” Carey says. 

Carl says he loves the opportunities for progression his new career path offers, particularly through Northpower into substations, distribution, and live lines as well as supervisory roles and management. Carl is particularly interested in live line training which he hopes to begin in the near future. 

“I’ve never been happier in my working life. I feel as though it’s not just a job we’re doing, [but] a service to the people of New Zealand; building, maintaining and even sometimes dismantling circuits in the national power grid.” 

The Connexis Industry Excellence Awards are a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and expertise it takes to succeed in the industry. They will be held online on Monday 6 December from 7pm. They will include a keynote speech by Minister for Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson and will be hosted by broadcaster Jason Pine.  

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Distribution Trainee of the Year 

When Wiremu Te Tawhero started as a trainee line mechanic with The Lines Company (TLC) in May 2020, he brought with him several years of experience in ‘high-risk’ industries that have helped him launch a successful new career. 

Prior to becoming a trainee at The Lines Company’s Taumarunui depot, Wiremu worked in the scaffolding sector and the timber industry, managing a sawmill in Taupo. Jason Blackmore, Southern Team Leader of Line Mechanics for The Lines Company, says that experience, particularly in areas of safety and having a practical mindset have really benefited Wiremu in his training. 

“Wiremu has an instinctive understanding of the safety risk presented in the distribution industry,” says Jason. “His practical background also means he has a sound understanding of civil and construction works, ultimately aiding his understanding of working in the electricity sector. These aspects see him well advanced on the level of experience and understanding TLC would typically see in a trainee who has been with us for 15 months.” 

Jason has nominated Wiremu in the Orion-sponsored Distribution Trainee of the Year category of the Connexis Industry Excellence Awards for 2021. 

Out on site, Wiremu makes safety and improving the teamwork of his co-workers his priorities, says Jason, adding that he sets a high standard and encourages his co-workers to do the same. He is also always looking for opportunities to improve his knowledge and understanding. 

Wiremu’s previous work experience also makes him a natural leader both on site and off, says Jason. Not only does he take ownership of issues or work on the job, particularly around health and safety, but he also led some of his co-workers in a “biggest loser’ weight loss competition, challenging himself and his mates to make healthier choices. “Wiremu is highly passionate about the work he does and the team he works with. His enthusiasm, self-confidence, people skills, and willingness to learn and grow are key characteristics helping him to excel as a member of the TLC team.” 

The Connexis Industry Excellence Awards are a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and expertise it takes to succeed in the industry. They will be held online on Monday 6 December from 7pm. They will include a keynote speech by Minister for Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson and will be hosted by broadcaster Jason Pine.  

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