Waiotahi Construction – Building a new kind of road

Kirste Floyd Civil, News, NZ Apprenticeships

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

Kirste Floyd News

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

Kirste Floyd News, NZ Apprenticeships, RoVE

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

Kirste Floyd News, NZ Apprenticeships, RoVE

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

Connexis eNews, News

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

Kirste Floyd Annual Connection, Energy, News

“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

Kirste Floyd Annual Connection, Energy, News

“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 …

TTM Recognition of Prior Learning now available

Kirste Floyd Civil, Civil Trades, Energy, News, Telco, Water

Holders of Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) warrants can now apply through Connexis to have their previous learning recognised for Level 3 unit standards. As of 1 November 2024, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi no longer registers some TTM warrants, as part of a shift to the new risk-based approach to TTM outlined in the NZ Guide to Temporary Traffic …

A word from our Director – November 2024

Kirste Floyd eNews, News

Kia ora koutou, The past few months have seen a flurry of activity from the Government with announcements of increased investment and support for New Zealand’s growing infrastructure needs. This includes: consenting changes to remove barriers for the development of renewable energy sources to deliver to the Electrify NZ plan; the delivery of water services back to local councils who …

Connexis delivers first risk-based TTM micro-credential

Kirste Floyd Civil, Energy, News, NZ Apprenticeships, Telco, Water

On Wednesday 30 October Connexis launched the Temporary Traffic Management Risk Assessment (Level 4) micro-credential, the first Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) to offer the micro-credential in New Zealand. Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) is a core skill requirement affecting almost any infrastructure project, whether it is building new roads, or maintaining the country’s energy, water and telecommunications networks. The micro-credential, which …