The future of infrastructure industry training in New Zealand is in good hands according to both trainees and employers. Employer satisfaction ratings for Connexis have increased to 96%, with trainee satisfaction at 95%, based on Connexis’ 2024 annual survey. Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the results reflect Connexis’ commitment to working closely with employers and trainees to ensure programmes …
News
Updated NZ Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil), (Level 4)
The training programme toward the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil) (Level 4) with strands in Earthworks, Road Construction, and Road Maintenance qualification has been reviewed and updated. The changes to the training programme see an increase in the size of the programme to provide more focus on quality outcomes for your worksite in a real-world environment and we …
Excavating excellence
Congratulations to Josh Keane, from McEwan Haulage in Otago, who won the Connexis-sponsored One-Day Job Challenge at the recent National Excavator Operator Competition. Josh, who received a $500 voucher for a Connexis civil training programme, was praised by judges for his attention to detail during the challenge which involved excavating a swimming pool and completing an ‘Under the Wire Challenge’. …
Waiotahi Construction – Building a new kind of road
When Bay of Plenty’s Waiotahi Contractors wanted to introduce a professional development plan for its people, they turned to a concept every civil construction worker knows well – building roads. Waiotahi now uses the simple imagery of building a road on its Career Progression Map to give all employers a clear visual understanding of how they can develop their career …
Annual Connection returns to Christchurch in 2025
PRESS RELEASE Annual Connection will make its return to the South Island in 2025, with help from a team of three host companies. Ōtautahi/Christchurch electricity distribution network The Orion Group is proud to join forces with fellow Canterbury-based EDB EA Networks, with support from Connetics Ltd. to host Annual Connection at Canterbury Park, October 21-23, 2025. Annual Connection, managed by …
New Fees Free policy kicks off
As we welcome in the New Year, 1 January 2025 also marks the commencement of the Government’s new ‘final-year’ Fees Free policy (or final two years for work-based learning), with the ‘first-year’ Fees Free scheme ending on 31 December 2024. This means learners starting a work-based training programme for the first time in 2025 may be able to access Fees …
Government announces future of industry training
On 20 December 2024, the Government announced its plan for a redesigned Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in New Zealand, as it proceeds with the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga. Following industry feedback in August on proposals for work-based learning, the government has developed a third option and will hold targeted consultation in January 2025, with those industry organisations that …
A word from our Director – December 2024
Kia ora koutou, 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 …
Top of the country: Inside Top Energy’s Annual Connection win
“The nerves turned into excitement and focus as soon as the hooter went.” Simon Bayliss, foreman for Top Energy’s winning line mechanic crew at Annual Connection 2024, says with all of the team members new to Annual Connection there were plenty of nerves ahead of the competition start in Te Awamutu. “Our team had a two-week training block prior to …
Two decades of Annual Connection
“People don’t think about this industry much except when the weather’s bad and the power goes off, so Annual Connection is a way to showcase the skills in the industry and recognise some of the best performers.” Rick Johnson has seen some of today’s electricity supply industry top performers and leaders rise through the ranks from being fresh-faced trainees, having …