Northland’s Top Energy are bringing the same line mechanic crew to Annual Connection 2025, which won the competition last year. What do you think the secret was to your success last year?Simon Bayliss (team foreman): “I don’t think there is a secret, but I think for us it was the ability to adapt under pressure. It was not all smooth …
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Young Ashburton women cable jointers taking on the best in NZ
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 …
PRESS RELEASE: New Zealand’s outstanding electricity supply skills to light up Christchurch
8 October 2025 They keep the lights on and the jug boiling – now they’re stepping into the spotlight. More than 100 of New Zealand’s best line mechanics and cable jointers are set to show off their world class skills and knowledge as they compete in Annual Connection 2025. Annual Connection, organised annually by Connexis, the national training provider to …
Education through Connexis helps rebuild lives in Whanganui
For those returning to the community after serving a custodial sentence, finding employment is important to staying on track. For those with a criminal record, a job can be hard to come by. A new initiative at Whanganui Prison hopes to help change that and make it easier for some prisoners to navigate the change to life on the outside …
Back to win
2024 winning cable jointer Taylor Simmonds is looking to repeat his success at Annual Connection. Annual Connection 2024 winning cable jointer, Taylor Simmonds from Omexom in Auckland is gearing up to defend his title at the 2025 event at Christchurch’s Canterbury Agricultural Park, 21-23 October. “I’ve prepared differently this year. Last year I didn’t know what to expect but this …
Top apprentice has his eyes on the future
“The thing that keeps me motivated is having a plan for the future in my mind. That helps me push through and complete the training that will allow me to develop and try to achieve those long-term goals.” That approach to apprenticeship training is paying off so far for Ethan Morris, who was recently named Apprentice of the Year at the …
Annual Connection: a judge’s view
If there’s anybody that knows what it takes to take on the responsibility of judging the skills of line mechanic crews at Annual Connection, it’s Phil Johnson from PowerNet in Invercargill. Phil has been a judge in almost every Annual Connection line mechanic competition since it was resurrected at the Hamilton event in 2002, stepping aside only once in 2003 …
Connexis Energy Trainee Awards Finalists Announced
The big reveal! The list of finalists for the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards, recognising the best and brightest trainees in New Zealand’s Electricity Supply Industry, is out! The winners will be announced at the Connexis Excellence Awards Dinner, being held on 23 October at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Who will take out the top accolade of Trainee of the …
Success in training equals success in business for HEB Construction
A holistic approach to training at HEB Construction is setting its people up for success. “When many people enter this industry, becoming a labourer might not be their first job choice. Our approach is to work with them, to help them on their way towards the getting into the roles they aspire to and that will also benefit the business,” …
Constructing a Career Through Training
What was meant to be a temporary job has turned into a fulfilling career path for Kaitlyn Newsome. Kaitlyn’s civil construction career began when she was working for a labour hire company supplying staff to HEB Construction. She decided she’d like to give the trade a go herself. Kaitlyn, who has also worked as a prison officer, has been with …